Fantastic Five

A listing of special events to entertain you through the weekend and

beyond.

TODAY

Listen to the harmony. Harmonia Baroque will show off its musical

style at 2 p.m. with a concert at Borders Books, Music & Cafe in South

Coast Plaza, 3333 Bear St., Costa Mesa. Free. (714) 432-7854.

SUNDAY

Have an old-fashioned picnic. The Divas of the Balboa Theater will

hold a Balboa Beach Blanket Barbecue -- complete with a water balloon

toss, three-legged race and more -- from noon to 5 p.m. at Balboa

Peninsula Park, adjacent to the Balboa Pier. The event will include a

Surfing’ Ducky Wave Race, with duck entries available for $5, and a

barbecue lunch for purchase. Proceeds of the barbecue and ducky race will

go toward the renovation of the Balboa Theater. Free. (949) 646-5161.

MONDAY

Provoke your mind. The “Childhood Dream Series,” a collection of

surrealistic portraits by Karen Feuer-Schwager, will be on display at the

Newport Beach Central Library’s foyer through Sept. 30. The library is at

1000 Avocado Ave., Newport Beach. Free. (949) 717-3801.

TUESDAY

Watch a brand new play. South Coast Repertory’s preview of Annie

Weisman’s “Hold Please” will start today on the Second Stage. The play,

which begins its regular run Sept. 20, will be staged at 7:45 p.m.

Tuesdays through Sundays, with a 2 p.m. matinee added on Saturdays and

Sundays, through Oct. 21. SCR is at 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa.

$19-$51. (714) 708-5555.

WEDNESDAY

Talk about books. The Manuscripts Book Discussion Group will talk

about John Berger’s trilogy “Pig Earth,” “Once in Europa” and “Lilac and

Flag” at 9:15 a.m. and Marion Zimmmer Bradley’s “The Mists of Avalon” at

7 p.m. at the Newport Beach Public Library, 1000 Avocado Ave. Free. (949)

717-3800.