We won't waste time getting to the meat of this matter: Old Spanish Days Fiesta. Here's a general outline of the plethora of entertainment and activities offered during the five-day celebration, opening Wednesday and continuing through Aug. 8.
* La Fiesta Pequena (official Fiesta opening): 7 p.m. Wednesday on the steps of S. B.'s historic Old Mission, enjoy live music, dancing and more.
* Court House Fiesta Tours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily; free docent tours of this attractive Moorish building. Meet inside the Anacapa Street entrance.
* El Mercado De La Guerra: De La Guerra Plaza, across from City Hall, will be filled with ethnic foods, crafts and entertainment, 11 a.m. to midnight daily.
* El Mercado Del Norte: Much the same here, just a different location--McKenzie Park at Las Positas and State streets, 11 a.m. to midnight daily.
* Carnival: 5 p.m. to midnight daily, La Playa West parking lot. Rides, games and more.
* Competicion De Vaqueros: The Earl Warren Showgrounds Arena will host the Fiesta Rodeo, stock horse show, youth events throughout the celebration. For a detailed listing, call 967-6331.
* El Desfile De Los Ninos: this children's parade kicks off 10 a.m. Saturday from Victoria Street, heads down State Street to Ortega Street.
* Arts and Crafts Show: commencing 10 a.m. Sunday, a large offering of handmade wares will be displayed on Cabrillo Boulevard from Stearns Wharf to Castillo Street.
For a complete listing of events, call 962-8101.
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The Santa Barbara Civic Light Opera Youth Theatre will explore social class division and star-crossed love when it opens tonight with the musical "Once On This Island" at the San Marcos High School Auditorium.
Loosely based on Rosa Guy's Caribbean-flavored novel "My Love, My Love," here a peasant girl falls for the son of an affluent family.
The unlikely lovers' tale is set on an island in the French Antilles and is spiced with with a continuous medley of Caribbean-calypso rhythms and dance.
Performances schedule: 8 p.m. today and Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday. Reserved seats, $8.50; general admission, $6. The school is at 4750 Hollister Ave., Santa Barbara. Call 966-2324.
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The Pasadena Playhouse returns to the Lobero Theatre tonight with Lawrence Roman's comedy "Alone Together."
This spring-summer season ending collaboration between the two theaters, follows a comedy-of-horrors as a married couple look forward to their freedom now that their children have flown the coup. Or have they?
The show previews 8 p.m. today through Saturday, plus 2 p.m. matinees Saturday and Sunday. The production opens Aug. 3 and continues through Aug. 15. Show times are 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, plus 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and matinees.
Preview tickets, $27.50; regular run, $31.50. The Lobero is at 33 E. Canon Perdido St. Call 963-0761.
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This week's schedule of concerts at the Music Academy of the West:
The Granada Series, featuring a full student orchestra, continues 8 p.m. Saturday with a program dedicated to the memory of Varujan Kojian. The Granada Series is held at the Granada Theatre, 1216 State St., Santa Barbara. Tickets are $15. Call 966-2324.
The Academy Series, featuring small ensemble performances by faculty members, concludes 8 p.m Tuesday with works by Debussy, Rochberg and Smetana. The concert is held outdoors on campus, 1070 Fairway Road, Montecito. Tickets are $20. Picnicking encouraged. Call 969-4726.
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UC Santa Barbara's Arts & Lectures concludes its summertime movie series: 8 tonight, Santa Barbaran Eric Stoltz joins Wesley Snipes and Hellen Hunt in the comedy "The Waterdance." "Flirting" a humorous story about first love, plays Sunday.
Show times are 8 p.m. Movies are shown in the campus' Campbell Hall. Tickets are $5, $4 students. Call 893-3535.
