CALENDAR

TILL DEC. 23

MAGICAL JOURNEY

The musical play, “La Posada Magica,” about a young girl’s journey through her neighborhood on Christmas Eve, is showing on the Julianne Argyros Stage at South Coast Repertory, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa through December 23. Tickets are $14 to $38. For a schedule and performance times, or to purchase tickets, call (714) 708-5555 or go to www.scr.org.

TILL DEC. 30

“IMPRESSIONS OF WATER” ART EXHIBIT

The Newport Beach Central Library, 1000 Avocado Ave., is showing an exhibit of oil paintings by Balboa artist Linda White, featuring patterns and colors of sun reflecting on the water. An artist’s reception will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the Friends Meeting Room at the library. Call (949) 717-3870 or go to www.newportbeachlibrary.org.

DINNER SPECIAL

Sol Restaurant at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, 1107 Jamboree Road, Newport Beach is offering a three-course prix-fixe menu from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Entrée choices include herb-roasted chicken and glazed salmon for $25 per person. For reservations, call (949) 729-4160.

TILL DEC. 31

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.

HOLIDAY TOY DRIVE

The Automobile Club of Southern California’s Costa Mesa office is hosting its annual holiday toy and fundraising drive to benefit children with debilitating illnesses through the end of the year. The office, at 3350 Harbor Blvd., will be collecting unwrapped toys and books, as well as accepting cash donations. Call (714) 427-5950.

ART EXHIBIT

The Orange County Public Library, 2969 Mesa Verde Drive East, Costa Mesa is featuring a solo watercolor exhibit by Dariela Wilson entitled “Orange County Bounty: Bayside Birds and Coral Florals.” Included in the exhibit are paintings of swans inspired by Rupert, the black swan killed several months ago in Newport bay. For library hours, call (949) 675-5182.

NEW YEARS EVE CELEBRATION

Tickets are on sale now for “Orange County New Years Eve”, ringing in the New Year from 6 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. at the Orange County Fair and Exposition Center, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa. Entertainment includes Blondie and Violent Femmes headlining on the main stage, and over 30 bands and specialty shows taking place on indoor stages and in lounge areas. Tickets are $100 in advance; $125 at the door. For information, go to www.ocnye.com.

TILL JAN. 14

PHOTOGRAPHIC ART EXHIBIT

Local artist Evelyn Morris will be exhibiting her collection of photographs capturing the “natural beauty in her surroundings,” at the Showcase Gallery in South Coast Village, 3851 Bear St. #B-15, Costa Mesa. Photographs are available for sale. Call (714) 540-6430 for gallery hours.

TODAY

OC DEBUT

Actor and clarinetist Woody Allen and his New Orleans Jazz Band is appearing in Orange County for the first time at 8 p.m. at the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 615 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Specializing in New Orleans jazz from the early twentieth century, Allen and band director Eddy Davis don’t have a set play list — musical pieces are determined during the performance. Ticket prices are $35 to $125. Call (949) 553-2422 or go to www.philharmonicsociety.org.

DEC. 19 THROUGH 31

INTERACTIVE MUSICAL

The Tony-award winning musical, “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” on stage in the Orange County Performing Arts Center’s Segerstrom Hall, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, gives four audience members — chosen before each performance — a chance to be a part of the show. Tickets are $20 to $70. For a performance schedule, call (714) 556-2787 or go to www.ocpac.org.

TUESDAY

RECITAL

Mezzo-soprano Angelika Kirchschlager and pianist Malcolm Martineau will be appearing in concert at 8 p.m. in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 615 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. The recital will include selections by Haydn, Schubert and Liszt. Tickets are $20 to $95. Call (949) 553-2422 or go to www.PhilharmonicSociety.org.

THURSDAY

ORANGE CRUSH

The Indie band, The Little Ones, will be performing from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Orange County Museum of Art, 850 San Clemente Drive, Newport Beach, as part of its after-hours Orange Crush series. Enjoy the music, have a drink at the Citrus Café, or take a walk through the galleries. A guided tour of the 2006 California Biennial is offered at 7 p.m. Admission is free. Call (949) 759-1122 or go to www.ocma.net.

FRIDAY

HOLIDAY MARKET PLACE

If you need more time to get your holiday shopping done, the Orange County Marketplace, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa has added a special shopping day from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Santa Claus will make an appearance, and if you bring an unwrapped gift for Toys for Tots you will receive $5 off any purchase from Santa’s Workshop. Admission is free. Call (949) 723-6660 or go to www.ocmarketplace.com.

SATURDAY

THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS EVE

The Balboa Bay Club and Resort, 1221 West Coast Highway, Newport Beach will host the All-American Boys Chorus for a holiday concert performance. Evening includes a no-host cocktail hour at 6 p.m., with dinner at 7 p.m. followed by the concert. Cost is $60 for adults; $35 for children 4 to 12 years old. Reservations are required. Call (949) 630-4120.

SUNDAY

CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER

Enjoy the Christmas Eve festivities at Bayside Restaurant, 900 Bayside Drive, Newport Beach, featuring a special four-course dinner from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m. Contemporary piano music will be played in the lounge by Jimmy Felber. Cost is $49.75. Regular menu items are also available. Call (949) 721-1222.

JAN. 10

PERFORMANCE POETRY

Host Lee Mallory welcomes poets Kate Buckley and Gabriela Valdepena to Alta Coffee House, 506 31st St., Newport Beach for a reading of their work at 8 p.m. Admission is free. Call (949) 675-0233.

JAN. 22

CONTEMPORARY DANCE

London-based choreographer Richard Alston will be directing his dance company in its first-ever Southern California performance at 8 p.m. at the Irvine Barclay Theater, 4242 Campus Drive. Tickets are $33 and $38; full-time students can purchase half-price tickets at the box office with a valid student. ID. Call (949) 854-4646.