Tales, Tunes Abound All Around

Orange County family concerts, plays and events for the next couple of weeks.

Sunday

* The Orange County Performing Arts Center’s Invitational Music Festival offers continuous performances by high school and college musicians, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Free. (714) 556-2787, Ext. 6071.

* The Children’s Museum at La Habra (301 S. Euclid St.) presents live music, dance, stories, puppetry and art workshops inspired by its exhibit “Passport to the Amazon.” Noon to 5 p.m. Free. (562) 905-9693.

April 23

* A totem pole jumps and jives and school kids actually hold still in McGaugh Elementary’s (1698 Bolsa Ave., Seal Beach) “Pageant of the Arts.” The tableaux vivant starts at 7 p.m. $2-$3. (562) 799-4560.

* O-k-l-a-h . . . oh, you know the rest. This month, you can introduce your kids to this Rodgers and Hammerstein classic in a production by UC Irvine School of the Arts, “Oklahoma!” Through May 1 at the Irvine Barclay Theatre (4242 Campus Drive). $6-$16. (949) 854-4646.

April 24

* Happy Earth Day to you! Events saluting Mother Earth include a Grand Earth Day Birthday Bash with marine-themed exhibits and recycled art projects at the Artmaker (Rossmoor Shopping Center, 12371 Seal Beach Blvd., Seal Beach). $4. (562) 596-3100.

* Also, kids 3 to 9 are encouraged to join the caped crusader Earth Ranger in uncovering crimes against the planet. At 11:30 a.m. at the Children’s Museum at La Habra (301 S. Euclid St.). Free with gallery admission: $4. (562) 905-9793.

* The Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific (100 Aquarium Way) hosts Earth Day activities and exhibits throughout the day. Admission: $7.95-$14.95. (562) 590-3100.

* In “Dancing Through Time,” children create and perform their own piece under the guidance of professionals at the DeFore Dance Center (151 Kalmus Drive, G3, Costa Mesa). Free. 2 p.m. (714) 241-9908.

* Storyteller and harp player Robin Williamson casts a spell of Celtic myth, music and poetry for families at 7 p.m. at the San Juan Capistrano Library (31495 El Camino Real). $3-$6. (949) 248-7469.

April 25

* The Brown Bag Players are known for enticing youngsters to play along, so “The Pied Piper” should be right up their alley. At 11:30 a.m., actors invite children to nosh and chat with them as they apply their makeup; performance starts at noon. At Rancho Canada School (21801 Winding Way, Lake Forest). $6. (949) 581-5402.

* To swat, or not to swat? Get to know the region’s seasonal multi-legged visitors at the Rancho Mission Viejo Land Conservancy (off Ortega Highway in San Juan Capistrano) Insect Hunt. Open to ages 4 and older, it’s led by etymologist Larry Shaw and includes a count of April butterflies. 9 a.m. to noon. Reservations required. $4. (949) 489-9778.

* Ballet Pacifica closes its children’s season with the premiere of Steven Inskeep’s “In the Garden,” performed by company and conservatory members and featuring Inskeep’s vivid soft-sculpture costumes. Also on the program: “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” At 10 a.m., noon, 2 and 4 p.m. (Also Saturday at noon, 2 and 4 p.m.) at the Festival Forum Theatre (650 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach). $8-$11. (949) 851-9930.

* Music, stories and crafts of the 18th century sailor come alive in a program aboard the tall ship Pilgrim at the Orange County Marine Institute (24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point). 10:30 a.m., 12:15 and 1:15 p.m. $4. (949) 496-2274. (For more on the Pilgrim and other tall ships, see pages 7, 36 and 37.)

* Yes, there were once orange groves in Orange County. The Discovery Museum of Orange County (3101 W. Harvard St., Santa Ana) recalls those juicy days with citrus-themed art exhibits, plus live entertainment. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free. (714) 540-0404.

April 28

* Shakespeare on love. OCC’s theater department presents Romeo and Juliet,” today through May 2. Weekday matinees are targeted to high school students, with Q & A sessions after the show with cast and artistic staff. In the Robert B. Moore Theatre at Orange Coast College (2701 Fairview Road, Costa Mesa). $6-$9. (714) 432-5880.

April 29

* The David Taylor Dance Theatre’s multimedia piece “Rainforest”--with dozens of imaginative costumes and props--is designed not to preach, but to “express awe and amazement,” says director David Taylor. At 7:30 p.m. at the Orange County Performing Arts Center (650 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa). $8. (714) 740-7878.

* The O.C. High School of the Arts (3591 Cerritos Ave., Los Alamitos) features 50 performers in a salute to Broadway musicals. 7:30 p.m. $3. (562) 596-1435.