SUMMER SPLASH II : WEEK 1, May : 5/27 - 6/2

Sunday, May 27

The duo Milli Vanilli rose to rank among both the most loved and loathed pop acts last year. Their first headlining tour brings them to the Universal Amphitheatre on Sunday and again on Monday.

Tears for Fears returns to Southern California with a performance at the Irvine Meadows

Amphitheatre.

Monday, May 28

With last year’s “Crossroads” album, Tracy Chapman solidified her role as pop’s conscience for the ‘90s. She’ll appear at the Open Air Theatre in San Diego, then at the Pacific Amphitheatre on July 7.

May 29

The Philadelphia Orchestra will perform with conductor Yuri Temirkanov at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 8 p.m. Also Wednesday.

Thursday, May 31

Brian Friel’s drama, “The “Aristocrats,” with John Larroquette, will be performed at the Mark Taper Forum through July 1.

The Philadelphia Orchestra will be at the Orange County Performing Arts Center. Yuri Temirkanov conducts.

The 10-day Kingston Hotel Mainly Mozart Festival gets under way through June 9 in San Diego’s Balboa Park. Information: (619) 238-5582.

“Women’s Work,” a performance series through June 18, begins at Highways in Santa Monica. San Francisco choreographer Nina Wise (May 31-June 2) and New York choreographer Suchi Branfman (June 7-9) are included in a five-program, interdisciplinary series on sexual and other kinds of oppression. (Other participants: actress Maria Fiorentino, performance artist Linda Carmella Sibio and poet Meri Nana-Ama Danquah.) Information: (213) 453-1755.

Friday, June 1

The annual Ojai Festival, traditionally a gathering place for followers of avant-garde and contemporary music, opens at locales around Ojai, but mostly in Festival Bowl, downtown. Through Sunday. Information: (805)646-2095.

Experimental Puerto Rican choreographer Viveca Vazquez brings her company to Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions through June 3. Included is “Malad Justed,” a group work commenting on the devastation of a small island by Hurricane Hugo. Vazquez is a noted activist-artist in San Juan.

Saturday, June 2

“Pops to Broadway” concert featuring Tony Bennett with the Master Chorale of Orange County. At the Orange County Performing Arts Center, 8 p.m.

WEEK 2: JUNE

6/3 - 6/9

Sunday, June 3

Baroque Music Festival, in Corona del Mar; the 10th season runs though June 10. Opening event is a concert at St. Michael & All Angels Church, at 8 p.m. Information: (714) 549-7175.

June 5

“Persistent Themes: Notable Photography Acquisitions, 1985-1990,” a collection of 45 works by artists including Cameron, Cunningham, Fenton, Strand, Talbot and Weston, opens and runs through Sept. 2 at the John Paul Getty Museum, in Malibu.

Wednesday, June 6

The musical “Peter Pan,” starring Cathy Rigby, begins at the Pantages Theater through July 1.

“Man of La Mancha” will be performed at the California Music Theatre at Pasadena Civic Auditorium, starring Ken Howard and Marilyn McCoo. Through June 24.

Thursday, June 7

“Generator Eight Dance Festival” runs through Sunday with additional shows on June 14, 15, 16 and 17 at the Los Angeles Theatre Center, downtown. Participants in this showcase of new Southern California choreography (mostly with commissioned scores) include Rene Olivas Gubernick with Martha Kalman; Pacific Dance Ensemble; L.A. Modern Dance and Ballet Company; the companies of Loretta Livingston, Tina Gerstler, Rose Polsky, and Sarah Elgart; and solo performances by Young-Ae Park, Shel Wagner and Fred Strickler. Information: (213) 627-6500.

Los Angeles Music Center Opera double bill: Oliver Knussen’s “Where the Wild Things Are” and “Higgelty, Piggelty, Pop!” Through June 17 at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.

Friday, June 8

David Mamet’s, “Speed-the-Plow” opens at the South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa, running through July 15.

Don Henley, chronicler of “The End of the Innocence,” at the Forum at 8 p.m.

Fleetwood Mac makes its only scheduled Southern California appearance at the Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre. Repeats Saturday. The concert aims to hype the group’s first post-Lindsey Buckingham album, “Behind the Mask.”

Saturday, June 9

Derek Walcott’s “Viva Detroit,” a play about cultural collision that results when two Caribbean islanders fall for an American woman, debuts at the Los Angeles Theatre Center with Robert Gossett, Moses Gunn and Gates McFadden. Through July 29.

WEEK 3: JUNE

6/10 - 6/16

June 12

An exhibit of “Dutch and Flemish Drawings” opens at the John Paul Getty Museum in Malibu. Works by major 17th-Century masters include Rubens, Rembrandt and Van Dyck. Through Aug. 26.

Thursday, June 14

David Byrne, the head of the Talking Heads, brings his Brazilian influence to the Hollywood Palladium, and to the Greek Theatre Friday in a solo performance.

Friday, June 15

“Little Shop of Horrors,” the stage musical by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken, the writers of “The Little Mermaid” score, opens at the Pacific Conservatory of Performing Arts in Solvang. Runs through Sept 16. Information: (805) 928-7731.

Erasure--the duo of Andy Bell and Vince Clark--crosses Liza Minnelli’s showiness with Depeche Mode’s search for identity. Concert at the Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre.

Saturday, June 16

Twelfth Annual Playboy Jazz Festival begins at Hollywood Bowl, from 2:30-11 p.m., with Miles Davis, Chick Corea, Joe Williams, Poncho Sanchez and others; also Sunday, June 17 from 2-10:30 p.m., with Lionel Hampton, Lee Ritenour, Gerry Mulligan, Dorothy Donegan and others.

WEEK 4: JUNE

6/17 - 6/16

Sunday, June 17

“The War Against Women,” a new play by John Herman Shaner and directed by Charles Marowitz, premieres at the Matrix Theater in Hollywood.

Los Angeles County Museum of Art opens a display of 20 works titled, “A Primal Spirit: Ten Contemporary Japanese Sculptors,” running through Aug. 26.

The Playboy Festival at the Hollywood Bowl continues with Chick Corea, this time with his electric band. Pianist Dorothy Donegan will make a rare appearance and completing the bill are Lee Ritenour, the Gerry Mulligan Quartet; Milton Nascimento with guest Wayne Shorter, Hiroshima and the Lionel Hampton orchestra.

Wednesday, June 20

Phil Collins will be at the Forum in Inglewood, also Thursday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday at 8 p.m..

Thursday, June 21

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art presents “Treasures from the Fitzwilliam Museum: The Increase of Learning and Other Great Objects,” 160 works from Britain’s Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge. Includes paintings by Titian, Guercino, Rubens, Hals, Van Dyck, Hogarth, Delacroix, Renoir and Degas; drawings by Rembrandt, Carracci, Tiepolo, Blake and Modigliani, and a selection of illuminated manuscripts, ceramics, bronzes, decorative arts and coins and medals. Through Sept. 9.

Friday, June 22

Singer/pianist Michael Feinstein, in a program of Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, George and Ira Gershwin, Rodgers and Hart, Jerome Kern and Stephen Sondheim, is at the Orange County Performing Arts Center. One night only.

Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing” opens at the Grove Shakespeare Festival. Runs through July 14 at 8:30 p.m. Information: (714) 636-7213.

Latino satirical troupe Culture Clash performs at the Los Angeles Theatre Center at 8 p.m. Information: (213) 627-6500.

Shakespeare’s “As You Like It” opens at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego. Through July 29. Information: (619) 239-2255.

“Oklahoma!” Jean Stapleton headlines in the L.A. Music Center Opera production of the classic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion Friday through July 1 at 8 p.m.. Information: (213) 972-7211.

Saturday, June 23

Janet Jackson will perform at the Pacific Amphitheatre in Costa Mesa on Saturday and Sunday. She’ll also be at the Forum on June 26, 27 and 28.

Jimmy Buffett will give a Saturday concert at Hollywood Bowl and perform Sunday at Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre.

WEEK 5: JUNE

6/24 - 6/30

Sunday, June 24

“Life During Wartime,” a contemporary dark comedy, will be performed at La Jolla Playhouse Sunday through July 29. Information: (619) 534-3960.

Thursday, June 28

“Cobb,” a play profiling the life of baseball star Ty Cobb, will be performed at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego

through Aug. 5. Information: (619) 239-2255.

Friday, June 29

The first day of the International Children’s Festival in Palm Springs. The arts festival will highlight Canadian performers through July 4.

“Dear Yelena Sergievna,” a Soviet play, will be staged at the Cal State Dominguez Hills Theater on Spartacus Square, through July 8.

Saturday, June 30

The Grand Kabuki performs at Orange County Performing Arts Center in Costa Mesa through Sunday, July 1. Information: (714) 556-2787.

WEEK 6: JULY

7/1 - 7/7

July 3

“White Man Dancing,” a new play by Stephen Metcalfe, opens at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego through Aug. 5.

Grand Kabuki of Japan performs Tuesday and Wednesday at the Japan America Theatre. The revered Kichiemon Nakamura II makes his first American appearances on this tour by the Japanese classical dance-theater ensemble. The bushido classic “Kanjincho” and the solo display piece “Osome Hisamatsu Ukina No Yomiuri” are featured on this program--to be presented only in Los Angeles. Information: (213) 680-3700.

Friday, July 6

Smokey Robinson, the poet of Motown, teams with Natalie Cole, at the Universal Amphitheatre. Repeats Saturday.

“Bus Stop,” William Inge’s poignant comedy, opens at Pasadena Playhouse, running through Aug. 19.

WEEK 7: JULY

7/8 - 7/13

Sunday, July 8

Sunday will mark the beginning of the Museum of Contemporary Art’s collaborative group of 10-15 South Bronx high-school students and New York artist Tim Rollins. The exhibition is composed of the “Amerika” series, 13 large-scale paintings completed between 1984 and 1989, as well as 80 study drawings.

“A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” will open at La Jolla Playhouse through Aug. 12. It then moves to Orange County Performing Arts Center in Costa Mesa for an Aug. 18-26 run.

Monday, July 9

“Open House at the Bowl,” a children’s performing arts festival, begins with theater, puppetry, dance and music at the Hollywood Bowl. Festival runs through Aug. 17.

Tuesday, July 10

July 10 Hollywood Bowl season opening: Los Angeles Philharmonic: Stanislaw Skrowaczewski, conductor; Andre Watts, piano. Glinka/Tchaikovsky/Brahms.

Wednesday, July 11

The Henrik Ibsen classic, “The Wild Duck,” opens at the Los Angeles Theatre Center through Aug. 12.

Thursday, July 12

Neil Simon’s “Rumors,” with Ron Leibman and Jessica Walter, begins at the James A. Doolittle Theater in Hollywood through Sept. 23.

Friday, July 13

The Laguna Art Museum presents “Turning the Tide: Early Los Angeles Modernists, 1920-1956,” through Sept. 16. Exhibit surveys the work of a number of L.A. Modernists with a focus on eight veteran artists: Peter Krasnow, Knud Merrill, Oskar Fischinger, Lorser Feitelson, Helen Lundeburg, Hans Burkhardt, Rico Lebrun and John McLaughlin.

“Broadly Broadway” with Mel Torme, Cleo Laine, John Dankworth at Hollywood Bowl at 8:30 p.m.. Repeats Saturday.

WEEK 8: JULY

7/15 - 7/21

Sunday, July 15

“Committed to Print,” an art show that surveys social and political themes in American printed art during the last 30 years opens at Newport Harbor Art Museum, 850 San Clemente Drive, Newport Beach. Open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., through Sept. 23. Information: (714) 759-1122.

Alabama, national kingpins of commercial country, perform at the Irvine Meadows Ampitheatre in Laguna Hills. 8 p.m. Information: (714) 855-8096.

Tuesday, July 17

Neeme Jarvi conducts the L.A. Philharmonic at Hollywood Bowl. Pianist Misha Dichter is guest soloist. Scheduled are works of Smetana, Rachmaninoff and Dvorak at 8:30 p.m.

Wednesday, July 18

Oscar Peterson, Ray Brown and the Benny Carter Orchestra perform at Hollywood Bowl in the Jazz at the Bowl series. The show starts at 8 p.m.

Thursday, July 19

“Miss Evers’ Boys,” a play by David Feldshuh that is an expose of prejudice in governmental medicine, opens at the Mark Taper Forum. The play runs until Sept. 2.

The Los Angeles Philharmonic, conducted by Neeme Jarvi, Hollywood Bowl. Cellist Lynn Harrell is soloist. The concert begins at 8:30 p.m.

Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing” opens at Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts in Solvang. Through Sept. 20, evenings at 8:30 p.m. and matinees at 2 p.m. Information: (800) 221-9469 or (805) 922-8313.

Friday, July 20

Cab Calloway guests with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, conducted by Erich Kunzel in “Hi-De-Ho” at the Bowl. Fireworks explode after the show. The program repeats July 21.

“Dance Kaleidoscope” offers three programs at Cal State Los Angeles. Program I: works by Shok-T, Steven Craig, Meri Bender, Nia Love, 3’s Company, Anthony Balcena, Rose Polsky, L.A. Contemporary Dance Theatre and Shel Wagner. Program II July 22, 27 spotlights Avaz, Karpatok, Juan Talavera, Linda Vega, Ballet Folklorico del Sur de California. Program III July 28, 29 includes Jazz Dancers, Inc., Pacific Dance Ensemble, Loretta Livingston, Stephanie Gilliland, Patricia Sandback, Rudy Perez, L.A. Chamber Ballet, Lisbeth Davidow. Information: (213) 343-4118.

WEEK 9: JULY

7/22 - 7/28

Sunday, July 22

A six-hour marathon of Baroque music by the Los Angeles Philharmonic Institute Orchestra, conducted by David Alan Miller. Lynn Harrell solos on cello. Concert begins at 4 p.m., Hollywood Bowl.

Wednesday, July 25

Vladimir Feltsman performs a recital at Hollywood Bowl. He plays Bach-Busoni, Mozart and Schumann. Music begins at 8:30 p.m.

Thursday, July 26

“Guys and Dolls,” the 1950s musical based on the stories and characters created by Damon Runyon, opens at Santa Maria’s Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts. Score by Frank Loesser. Through Sept. 23.

Oscar Wilde’s “The Importance of Being Earnest,” performed by players of the Pacific Conservatory of Performing Arts, opens in Solvang. Ends Sept. 21

Friday, July 27

Shakespeare’s “As You Like It” opens at the Grove Shakespeare Festival in Garden Grove. Ends Aug. 18.

“Beethoven Spectacular” is the billing for a Los Angeles Philharmonic concert, conducted by Neeme Jarvi, at the Bowl. Mona Golabek solos on piano, and the Los Angeles Master Chorale appears. Fireworks after the concert. Repeat performance on July 28. Both concerts begin at 8:30 p.m.

WEEK 10: JULY

7/29 - 8/4

Monday, July 30

Pianist Yefim Bronfman, cellist Lynn Harrell, and violinist Cho-Liang Lin perform at Hollywood Bowl. 8 p.m.

Wednesday, Aug. 1

Wynton Marsalis salutes Louis Armstrong during Hollywood Bowl’s Jazz at the Bowl series. The music starts at 8 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 3

“Old Vienna Evening” with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, conducted by David Zinman. Program of Johann Strauss, Lehar, Mozart and others. Soprano Kathleen Battle sings. Performance at 8:30 p.m., Hollywood Bowl.

Saturday, Aug. 4

Depeche Mode, the techno-pop group, in concert. Stadium and time to be announced.

The Mums in concert at the Santa Monica Pier.

WEEK 11: AUGUST

8/5 - 8/11

Tuesday, Aug. 7

The Bolshoi Ballet performs at Shrine Auditorium. The Soviet Union’s mightiest classical company opens its Southern California engagement with the local premiere of Yuri Grigorovich’s “Ivan the Terrible” (music by Prokofiev). Other full-evening ballets in the engagement include “Swan Lake” and “Romeo and Juliet” (both in versions by Grigorovich), plus a program of highlights. Through Aug. 19.

The Australian Ballet performs at the Orange County Performing Arts Center. Maina Gielgud’s staging of “Giselle,” Lichine’s “Graduation Ball,” (music by Johann Strauss), Lifar’s “Suite en Blanc” (music by Lalo) and other works highlight this engagement by the leading classical troupe from Down Under. Through Aug. 12.

All-Beethoven night at the Bowl. David Zinman conducts the Los Angeles Philharmonic and pianist Emanuel Ax performs. 8:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Aug. 8

“Clothespins and Dreams,” an original musical by Ron Miller, is performed by the California Music Theater at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium. Runs to Aug. 26. Information: (818) 449-7360.

The Moscow Virtuosi appears at Hollywood Bowl. Vladimir Spivakov both conducts the touring body of players and performs as violin soloist. 8:30 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 10

Rodgers and Hammerstein night at the Bowl, starring Barbara Cook and Mandy Patinkin, and featuring the Los Angeles Philharmonic, conducted by Erich Kunzel. Repeats Aug. 11. Both shows begin at 8:30 p.m.

Robert Plant, the veteran English rock wailer, appears at Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre in Laguna Hills. The concert begins at 8 p.m. Information: (714) 855-8096.

WEEK 12: AUGUST

8/12 - 8/18

Sunday, Aug. 12

opens at the La Jolla Playhouse. Through Sept. 16. Information: (619) 534-6760.

pianist Emanuel Ax, performs at Hollywood Bowl. Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 5 and Mahler Symphony No. 5 are featured. The program begins at 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Aug. 14

Los Angeles Master Chorale performs with Simon Rattle conducting the Los Angeles Philharmonic at Hollywood Bowl. Singers Susan Patterson and Christine Cairns. Mahler’s Second Symphony is performed. 8:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Aug. 15

“The American Popess,” written by Esther Vilar and starring Nan Martin, opens at the Los Angeles Theatre Center. Through Sept. 30. Information: (213) 627-5599.

The American-Soviet Youth Orchestra appears at Hollywood Bowl. Alexander Lazarev conducts and Joshua Bell plays violin. Mussorgsky’s “Bald Mountain,” “Pictures at an Exhibition” and Sibelius Concerto are featured. 8:30 p.m.

Thursday, Aug. 16

“Masterpieces of Impressionism and Post-Impressionism: The Annenberg Collection,” 50 Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings, watercolors and drawings, including works by Monet, Degas, Renoir and others, at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art through Nov. 11. Hours: Tue.-Fri., 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sat.-Sun., 10 a.m.-6 p.m. The museum is at 5905 Wilshire Blvd. Information: (213) 857-6111).

Simon Rattle conducts the Los Angeles Philharmonic at Hollywood Bowl. Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 and Stravinsky’s “Le Sacre du Printemps” are featured. Concert begins at 8:30 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 17

The Tonight Show Band, conducted by Doc Severinsen, performs at Hollywood Bowl. The movie “Singin’ in the Rain” is screened. Repeat performance Aug. 18. Both programs begin at 8 p.m.

WEEK 13: AUGUST

8/19 - 8/25

Tuesday, Aug. 21

Bolshoi Ballet performs in San Diego. The venue and repertory will be announced. Performances through Aug. 24.

The Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Christof Pefick, performs mostly Mozart at Hollywood Bowl. 8:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Aug. 22

Ella Fitzgerald, the Mike Wofford Trio, and the Benny Carter Orchestra perform at Hollywood Bowl. 8 p.m.

Thursday, Aug. 23

The Seattle Symphony, conducted by Gerard Schwarz, plays at Hollywood Bowl. Pianist Alexander Toradze is soloist. Hanson/Beethoven/Prokofiev are among the works played. A repeat performance takes place Aug. 25. Fireworks explode after both shows.

Friday, Aug. 24

Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town” opens at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego. Through Sept. 30.

WEEK 14: AUGUST

8/26 - 9/1

Sunday, Aug. 26

“My Children! My Africa!” a play written and directed by Athol Fugard, opens at the La Jolla Playhouse. The play runs until Sept. 30.

JVC Jazz, with Grover Washington Jr., the Clarke-Duke Project, the Meeting and the Zawinul Syndicate perform at Hollywood Bowl. 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Aug. 28

“Italian Renaissance Drawings,” an exhibit featuring 15th- and 16th-Century drawings by Mantegna, Raphael, Da Vinci, Pontormo and Titian, opens at the J. Paul Getty Museum, 17985 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu. Open Tues.-Sun., 10 a.m.-5 p.m, until Nov. 11. Information: (213) 459-7611.

“Out There Tonight,” Shirley MacLaine’s new song-and-dance musical revue, opens at Pantages.

Wednesday, Aug. 29

The Canadian Brass performs at Hollywood Bowl. The concert begins at 8 p.m.

Thursday, Aug. 30

William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” opens a run at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego. Plays through Oct. 7.

“Best of Kaleidoscope” from the July dance showcase at Cal State, Los Angeles. Highlights from the three programs. See July 20.

“August 29,” a new play written by Violeta Calles, which commemorates the killing of Los Angeles Times reporter Ruben Salazar, opens at the Los Angeles Theatre Center. Through Oct. 14.

Friday, Aug. 31

Shakespeare’s “Othello” opens at the Grove Shakespeare Festival in Garden Grove. Runs to Sept. 22.

John Williams conducts the Los Angeles Philharmonic in an evening of Hollywood favorites, at Hollywood Bowl. Repeats Sept. 1. Both concerts at 8:30 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 1

The Rock ‘n’ Roll Main Event, a Labor Day weekend festival with Barbara Mandrell, Jerry Lee Lewis and oldies acts, Glen Helen Regional Park in San Bernardino, site of the 1982-1983 U.S. Festival.