SPOTLIGHT

A.B. YEHOSHUA SPEAKS

He’s been called the “Israeli Faulkner” by the New York Times. His

novels and plays -- “Mr. Mani” and “A Late Divorce” -- explore life in

Israel and have earned him a place among that country’s greatest writers.

So what is A.B. Yehoshua doing in Newport-Mesa this week? He will be

talking about “A Journey to the End of the Millennium from the Mythology

to History”’ at the Center Club on Friday.

The program is the first-ever collaboration between the Balboa

Performing Arts Theater Foundation and the Orange County Jewish Community

Scholar Program. Both groups have announced that they plan to hold more

such joint events to foster culture and the performing and literary arts.

Yehoshua most recently published “The Liberating Bride.” He came into

prominence in the 1960s with the publication of three volumes of short

stories. His books will be available at the luncheon.

Sponsorship tickets are available at $125, which includes VIP seating,

a private reception before the program and an autographed book.

FYI

* Where: The Center Club, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa

* When: 12:15 p.m. Friday

* Cost: $25, including tip and valet parking; $125 for VIP seating and

reception

* Contact: (949) 673-0895

See the stars in Newport-Mesa

PLANETARIUM SERIES

Orange Coast College will host a Friday Night Planetarium Series

starting Friday at the school’s planetarium. Future classes will be March

1 and 15; April 5, 12, 19 and 26; May 10, 17 and 31; and June 7 and 14.

The series is designed for adults curious about the cosmos.

FYI

* Where: OCC’s planetarium, 2701 Fairview Road, Costa Mesa

* When: 7:30 p.m. Friday

* Cost: $10 per show, $25 for series of three programs

* Contact: (714) 432-5880 o7 or www.occtickets.comf7

Planning Ahead

‘EUGENE ONEGIN’

Opera Pacific presents opening day of its first-ever Russian opera,

Tchaikovsky’s “Eugene Onegin,” onstage at the Orange County Performing

Arts Center.

Tuesday, Feb. 26

READY TO RUN?

Spirit Run 2002, hosted by Leigh and Lucy Steinberg, will take off

from Fashion Island in March to help raise money for Newport Beach

elementary schools.

Sunday, March 10

Numerically Speaking

7: The number of choreographers who put together UC Irvine’s Dance

Visions, an annual dance extravaganza, to happen Thursday and Friday at

the Irvine Barclay Theatre