EDITORIAL:Busy weekend in Newport-Mesa

For once, we are not going to tell you what to do. But we are going to give you plenty of options.

Scanning the landscape this weekend across Newport-Mesa shows it to be one of those too-busy-to-be-believed moments. And it is not just a boatload full of small, community events — that, after all, is a fairly typical weekend here. There is one big event after another.

It’s up to you to figure out how and when you will fit them all in.

The weekend kicks off Friday with the two big guns in town: the opening of the new Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall at the Orange County Performing Arts Center and the Taste of Newport at Newport Center.

The concert hall’s opening, arguably, is going to be the biggest event of the year — maybe competing with Newport Beach’s final centennial bash in October. Following a fancy reception and dinner, tenor Placido Domingo will become the first “official voice” to reverberate off the hall’s acoustically precise walls. On Saturday, the Pacific Symphony will take the stage for its first public concert, and the Pacific Chorale will follow. Finally, on Sunday the Philharmonic Society of Orange County will celebrate Mozart.

Down at Newport Center, the Taste of Newport — which always is one of the most crowded, most bustling events of the year — will be going strong through the weekend. While the overall highlight is the food and drink samples, the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce once again has brought in musical acts that ought to be able to draw attention away from the goodies. Friday night’s act is alt-rockers Smashmouth. As we’ve said before, the musical highlight is Los Angeles band the Go-Go’s on Saturday. And Sunday, to slow things down a little, is Kenny Loggins. There’s a little music for every taste, just about.

But that is far from all.

On Saturday, the Costa Mesa Historical Society will celebrate its 40th anniversary from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Estancia Park. Also Saturday, there will be a carwash fundraiser from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Arches restaurant for Camp Pendleton Marines. All weekend, Orange Coast College will be kicking off its 22nd season of drama and at Fashion Island, Project Playhouse will be showcasing its playhouses, which are available via auction. And the Festival of Children continues at South Coast Plaza.

Those are your options. We promise, we’re not telling you what you have to do.