SATURDAY : CONCERT

The Ventura County Master Chorale, under the direction of Burns Taft, will commence a new performance season at 8 p.m. with a concert titled “Celebrate Life” at the Oxnard Civic Auditorium, 800 Hobson Way. The chorale will present a program of Stravinsky’s “Les Noces,” plus works by two contemporary composers, Ben Allaway’s “Bandari, Inside These Walls”--a text that combines English and Swahili--and Dwight Stone’s “5 Cantos Surenos,” which was inspired by Mexican poet Alurista. An Artist’s Discussion will precede the concert at 7 p.m. Tickets: $10-$23. Information: 486-2424.