CALENDAR

2006 CALIFORNIA BIENNIAL

The Orange County Museum of Art presents the 2006 California Biennial, an event with more than 150 works, including installations, sculpture, paintings, works on paper, wall drawing, photographs, film and video art. The exhibition is at 850 San Clemente Drive, in Newport Beach, and in Costa Mesa at 3333 Bear St. Hours vary. www.ocma.net.

TODAY

CELEBRITY CHEF

Cookbook author and celebrity chef Tyler Florence will be at the Williams-Sonoma store at South Coast Plaza from 12 to 2 p.m. Florence, who has had a show on the Food Network and is a regular on “The Today Show,” will be signing copies of his newest book, “Tyler’s Ultimate: Brilliant Simple Food to Make Any Time.” South Coast Plaza is at 3333 Bristol St., Costa Mesa.

WEDNESDAY

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE

The Costa Mesa Historical Society, 1870 Anaheim Ave, Costa Mesa, welcomes Arthur A. Hansen, who will speak on the history of the Japanese-American experience in Orange County at 7:30 p.m. Refreshments will be served. (949) 631-5918 or www.costamesahistory.org.

CLEVER COMEDY

The play “Sly Fox” opens at the Robert B. Moore Theatre at Orange Coast College. Set in San Francisco, the plot centers around a wealthy miser and his three conniving heirs. Advance tickets are $8; $10 at the door. Show time is 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, and 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, through Oct. 22. (714) 432-5880.

THURSDAY

BEACH BASH

The public is invited to celebrate the men and women of the Newport Beach Fire Department at Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort, 1131 Back Bay Drive, Newport Beach, at 5:30 p.m. The evening features a barbecue, a no-host bar, live music and an awards ceremony. Tickets are $30. (949) 729-4400.