BENEFITS : Unwrapping Things Up

County residents in a holiday mood can choose between two benefit shows Friday--one starring musical theater students from the Orange County High School of the Arts, the other headlining jokey punk rockers the Dickies.

The annual holiday-themed musical revue by High School of the Arts students will be repeated Saturday, for those who simply can’t make up their minds. Admission to the show is one unwrapped new toy, to be distributed to critically and terminally ill children by the Starlight Foundation.

The Orange County High School of the Arts, based at Los Alamitos High School, gives specialized instruction in performing and visual arts to 350 students from throughout Southern California. There are 110 students in the school’s musical theater program, all of whom will participate in the revue.

Meanwhile, the Dickies will be joined in a punk rock bill at the Costa Mesa Community Center by San Francisco’s Mummies, along with Olivelawn, the Muffs, Monomen and Black Creep. Admission is $10 plus three cans of food; the food will be distributed to the needy by Costa Mesa-based Share Our Selves.

What: Orange County High School of the Arts Holiday Celebration.

When: Friday and Saturday, Dec. 13 and 14, at 7:30 p.m.

Where: Margaret A. Webb Performing Arts Center at Los Alamitos High School, 3591 Cerritos Ave., Los Alamitos.

Whereabouts: From the San Diego (405) Freeway, take Seal Beach Boulevard north until it becomes Los Alamitos Boulevard; the high school is at the corner of Los Alamitos Boulevard and Cerritos Avenue.

Wherewithal: One unwrapped new toy.

Where to Call: (310) 596-1425.

What: The Dickies, the Mummies, Olivelawn & the Mono Men, the Muffs and Black Creep.

When: Friday, Dec. 13, at 6 p.m.

Where: Costa Mesa Community Center, 1845 Park Ave., Costa Mesa.

Whereabouts: Newport Boulevard south, turn right on 19th Street and left on Park Avenue.

Wherewithal: $10 plus three cans of food.

Where to Call: (714) 650-1141.