CALENDAR

FESTIVAL OF CHILDREN

The Festival of Children Foundation celebrates its fifth anniversary this year, and its signature event, the Festival of Children, will take place throughout September at South Coast Plaza, where more than 50 children’s charities will be showcased. The Foundation’s purpose is to connect children, charities and the community, and over 100 activities, workshops and performances will be offered free to the public. All activities take place at South Coast Plaza, 3333 Bristol St., Costa Mesa. For a festival events calendar go to www.festivalofchildren.org.

TUESDAY

RADICAL REELS

A collection of high-adrenaline outdoor adventure films titled, “The Radical Reels Film Tour” will be shown at 7 p.m. in the Robert B. Moore Theatre at Orange Coast College. The films feature rock-climbing, whitewater kayaking, sky jumping and more. Tickets are $9 in advance, $10 at the door, and $5 for OCC students. Call (714) 432-5880 or go to www.octickets.com.

THURSDAY

TRANSFER DAY

Orange Coast College will host recruiters from more than 80 public and private California and out-of-state colleges for their annual “Transfer Day.” Representatives will be on campus to talk to students interested in transferring to a four-year college or university. Activities will run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the quad area. Call (714) 432-5894 for more information.

FRIDAY

QUARTET OPENS

CONCERT SERIES

The Takács Quartet, winner of three Gramophone Awards and a Grammy, will open the 2006-2007 concert series in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall at the Orange County Performing Arts Center. The concert, featuring the works of Bartok, Mozart and Brahms begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are $62 and are available at the Center’s box office, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa.

Call (714) 556-2787 or go to www.ocpac.org.

HE BRINGS HIS HEART TO ORANGE COUNTY

Legendary singer Tony Bennett returns to the Orange County Performing Arts Center, celebrating its 25th anniversary, in a special concert performance at Segerstrom Hall. Show time is 7:30 p.m. To purchase tickets, call (714) 556-2787 or go to www.ocpac.org.

THEATER PRODUCTION

Orange Coast College’s Repertory Theatre Company presents a series of one-person plays and monologues, performed by students, in their Drama Lab Studio. The production is geared for mature audiences. Curtain time is 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday evenings; 2:30 and 7 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets are $6 in advance, $7 at the door. Seating is limited; call (714) 432-5880 to purchase tickets.

SATURDAY

CHILDREN’S BOOK FESTIVAL

Orange Coast College will host its third annual Orange County Children’s Book Festival from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Program includes over 80 exhibits by book vendors and educational supply stores, presentations by authors and illustrators, and fun activities for children. Orange County resident Adrienne McMillan is among the dozen master storytellers scheduled to entertain. Admission and parking are free. Call (714) 432-5707 for more information.

SUNDAY

2006 CALIFORNIA BIENNIAL

The Orange County Museum of Art presents the 2006 California Biennial, an event with over 150 works consisting of large-scale installations, sculpture, paintings, works on paper, wall drawing, photographs, film and video art. Exhibition will be in Newport Beach, 850 San Clemente Drive, and in Costa Mesa 3333 Bear St. Hours vary.

SAND CASTLE CONTEST

Families, corporate groups, and professional sandcastle builders are some of the contestants competing in the 45th Annual Sandcastle Contest at Corona del Mar State Beach. The castle building starts at 11 a.m. and continues until 2 p.m., when judging begins. Admission is free.

PHILIPPINE NATIONAL

DANCE COMPANY

Exotic rhythms and the brilliant colors of traditional Filipino dress showcase the talents of the Bayanihan Philippine Dance Company, performing on stage at 7 p.m. in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall at the Orange County Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $25 to $45 and can be purchased by calling (714) 556-278, or online at www.ocpac.org.

OCT. 2

SHARING CHEFS DINNER

The A-Team, the auxiliary branch of Share Our Selves, a group committed to providing free services to those in need, continues its annual Sharing Chefs Dinners, a series of three dinners sponsored by local restaurants. This is the second dinner, hosted by Taco Rosa Restaurant in Newport Beach at 5:30 p.m. These dinners give restaurants in the community an opportunity to help raise funds that benefit the Share Our Selves programs. Cost for the dinner is $75; reservations are suggested as seating is limited. Taco Rosa is at 2632 San Miguel Road, Newport Beach. Call (949) 646-3582 or go to www.shareourselves.org.

OCT. 3

MEET THE TEAM

The Anaheim Ducks hockey team is sponsoring a “Meet the Team” wine event at The Cannery restaurant in Newport Beach from 6 to 10 p.m. Guests can enjoy wine tasting, live music, a silent auction, and meet the team’s players, coaches and management staff. Proceeds from the event will benefit Ducks Care, part of the McCormick Tribune Foundation, supporting charitable organizations in Orange County.

Call (949) 677-2115.