DOWNTOWN : Free Noon Concerts at California Plaza

A series of free noon shows are planned through Oct. 23 at the new Watercourt outdoor performance area, a fountain-amphitheater that opened last week at California Plaza.

The multilevel Watercourt has three stages: the main stage, which is between the half-acre pond and a 146-nozzle fountain, the Marina Pavilion and the Cabaret Stage.

At the Grand Avenue entrance to the plaza is the Spiral Court, another fountain and performance area that was used for concerts while Watercourt was under construction.

Upcoming noon shows are:

* Wednesday--Kayamanan Ng Lahi, a Filipino folk dance troupe, at the Spiral Court stage.

* Friday--The Du Bois Review, a Motown-style pop music program, at the main Watercourt stage.

* Oct. 21--Bakra Bata, a steel-drum band from Seattle, at the Watercourt stage.

* Oct. 23--”Voters’ Choice,” an election-themed review performed by a variety of celebrity performers, including “Phantom of the Opera” cast members, at the Watercourt stage.

The $17-million performance center is part of a $50-million development that includes office and apartment towers, a hotel and the Museum of Contemporary Art.