GOINGS ON : Play Is Something the Cast Can Really Sink Teeth Into : Actors will be dishing out more than food for thought in the comedy ‘The Art of Dining Out.’

There’s no such thing as a starving actor these days at Santa Barbara’s Westmont College, not with the Westmont Classical Repertory Theatre production of “The Art of Dining Out” opening tonight.

This comedy centers around a couple who has just purchased a small, elegant restaurant. While the husband tries to build up the clientele, the wife is busy preparing gourmet meals--something she actually will do on stage. The cast of nine includes seven diners, all of whom will be consuming the food in front of the audience.

“The Art of Dining Out” is co-produced by Chad’s Restaurant and Jordano’s Marketplace, with the staff of Chad’s providing the food and training the chefs and diners. The play will run tonight through Saturday and Nov. 3-5. Show time is 8 p.m., with 2 p.m. matinees on both Saturdays. Tickets are $9 (general), $6 (students and seniors). Call 565-7040. Westmont is located at 955 La Paz Road.

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Mariachi Lo Camperos de Nati Cano, the Los Angeles-based ensemble that has helped revive mariachi music and is touring with Linda Ronstadt, will perform at UC Santa Barbara’s Campbell Hall tonight at 8 p.m. General admission is $12 and $16. Call 893-3535.

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For another musical option, don’t forget Kenny G, who is expected to perform tonight at the Santa Barbara Bowl--assuming he doesn’t cancel, as the last three scheduled bowl acts have. Show time is 7 p.m. Tickets are $40.50, $35.50, and $30.50. Call 568-BOWL or 583-8700. The Bowl is located at 1122 N. Milpas St.

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Santa Barbara’s Access Theatre, starring a cast of local high school students, will present “Stix and Stonz,” tonight and Friday at the Center Stage Theater.

The one-act play centers on eight students representing an ethnic and social mix who end up locked in a room together and have to confront their differences and learn to accept one another. The production toured Santa Barbara schools last spring and is doing so again this school year.

Show time is 8 p.m. both nights. Tickets are $7 (general), $5 (students and children under age 12--though the play is not recommended for those under age 13 due to “strong language”). Call 963-0408. The theater is located on the second level of the Paseo Nuevo shopping center.

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Imagine watching actor William Devane and former Monkee Mickey Dolenz battle it out on the polo field? A little surreal, perhaps, but they will be two of the celebrities involved, Saturday in a Santa Barbara Civic Light Opera benefit dubbed “An Afternoon of Polo and Other Pleasures.”

Those other pleasures will include lunch prepared by Chef Michael Hutchings and entertainment provided by civic members. There will also be a fashion show and auction. It will all take place at the Santa Barbara Polo and Racquet Club, 3375 Foothill Road in Carpinteria, from 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Tickets are $125. Call 962-1922.

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Halloween Happenings: As always, there will be plenty of ghoulish activity in Santa Barbara. And with Halloween on Monday, activities will be going on all weekend.

On Saturday, it’s the popular “Black and Orange Ball,” now in its fourth year, at the Santa Barbara Contemporary Arts Forum. This costume extravaganza will feature music by J.T. and the Zydeco Zippers and food from the Palace Express Cafe. There will be a fortune teller, a parade and awards for costume creativity. The party will begin at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 (in advance), $25 (at the door). Call 966-5373. CAF is located on the second level of the Paseo Nuevo shopping center.

On Sunday, the Santa Barbara Museum of Art will present a celebration of the Mexican holiday “Dia de Los Muertos” (Day of the Dead). There will be theater and dance performances, storytelling, and other activities for children and adults from noon-4:30 p.m. Admission is free. The museum is located at 1130 State St. Call 963-4364.

And on Monday, Santa Barbara’s Parks and Recreation department will host its annual Halloween Festival at De La Guerra Plaza. There will be game and food booths, hay rides and storytellers from 4 p.m.-7 p.m. For more information call 965-3813.