Newport to Salute Arts in Free Festival

Newport Beach will hold its sixth annual free arts bash today through Saturday at Fashion Island, the Newport Harbor Arts Museum and the adjacent Newport Beach Library branch. The “Newport Salute to the Arts” will feature more than 25 performing groups and exhibits.

Meanwhile, more than 40 restaurants and caterers will be offering samples of their wares for a small charge.

Of particular interest for families with children are the programs scheduled for Saturday, including the Judy Sofer Puppets at Fashion Island’s Broadway/Neiman-Marcus Plaza at 11:30 a.m.; the SCR Youth Theater Group at 2:30 p.m. at Fashion Island’s Bullocks Wilshire Wing; a concert by the Repercussion Group at 3:30 p.m. at the Newport Harbor Art Museum (the Repercussion group also will play at the museum Saturday at 8 p.m., when there will be an admission charge), and an art show by Newport-Mesa district students from kindergarten through 12th grade, at the Bullocks Wilshire Wing from noon to 4 p.m.

Saturday’s “Youth Day” events will conclude at 5 p.m.

Among other attractions today: Don Miller’s Big Band will play at 5:15 and 7:15 p.m. at Bullocks Wilshire Wing; a contingent of the Pacific Chorale will sing at 6:15 p.m. and 7:45 p.m. at Fashion Island’s Atrium Court, and the Mozart Camerata led by Ami Porat will play at 6:45 p.m. at the Broadway/Neiman-Marcus Plaza. Events will continue until 9 p.m.

Friday, the Bryan-Allison guitar and flute duo will play at 6 p.m. at the Atrium Court and the Southwest Chamber Music Society will offer music by Kreisler, Vivaldi, Falla and Halsey Stevens at 8 p.m. at the Newport Harbor Art Museum.

The events are being sponsored by the Newport Beach City Arts Commission, local businesses and arts organizations and private parties. The budget is about $30,000, according to chairwoman Sandy Blatterman. For information, call (714) 644-3017.