OC LIVE

Art

Strangely enough, there have been very few Western exhibitions of artifacts from the Philippines, despite the islands’ long history as a crossroads for Chinese, Spanish, British, Dutch and other traders. “Land of the Morning,” organized by the San Francisco Craft and Folk Art Museum, gives an overview of the level of craftsmanship apparent in the islands’ folk arts. The show presents 75 objects from the recent and distant pasts of several island cultures, including exquisite woven and embroidered textiles, gold, brass and mother-of-pearl body ornaments, armor, implements of daily life and carved ritual deities.

* What: “Land of the Morning: Treasures of the Philippines.”

* When: Through Jan. 21. Gallery hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays (Thursday nights until 9). Closed on Thanksgiving Day.

* Where: The Bowers Museum of Cultural Art, 2002 N. Main St., Santa Ana.

* Whereabouts: Take the Santa Ana (5) Freeway to the Main Street and drive South; the museum will be on your right.

* Wherewithal: $4.50 for adults, $3 for students and seniors, $1.50 for ages 5-12, under 5 free.

* Where to call: (714) 567-3600.

Comedy

Ever since an Irishman from Chicago and a blind Latino from Santa Ana hooked up for laughs about 10 years ago, all sorts of good things have happened. Jim O’Brien and Alex Valdez have been breaking down stereotypes and breaking up audiences wherever they trot out their dead-on skits, sound effects, observations and the occasionally musical ditty. To dispel any tension in the audience, Valdez, who carries a cane but doesn’t where shades, will ask: “Why should I wear dark glasses? I don’t see deaf people wearing earmuffs.”

* Who: O’Brien & Valdez.

* When: Tonight and Sunday night at 8:30; Friday night at 8:30 and 10:30, Saturday night at 8 and 10:30.

* Where: The Improv, 945 E. Birch St., Brea.

* Whereabouts: Take the Lambert Road exit from the Orange (57) Freeway and go west. Turn left onto State College Boulevard and right onto Birch Street. The Improv is in the Brea Marketplace, across from the Brea Mall.

* Wherewithal: $8-$10.

* Where to call: (714) 529-7878.

Dance

The San Francisco Ballet will dance the “Nutcracker,” choreographed by company artistic director Helgi Tomasson to the beloved Tchaikovsky score, Saturday and Sunday and Dec. 1 through 3 at the Orange County Performing Arts Center. The company also will dance a mixed repertory program Tuesday through Nov. 30 including Balanchine’s “Ballo della Regina” (music by Verdi), Tomasson’s “Sonata” (Rachmaninoff) and Canadian choreographer James Kudelka’s “Terra Firma” (Michael Torke).

* Who: The San Francisco Ballet.

* When: Saturday at 8 p.m.; Sunday at 2 and 7:30 p.m.; Tuesday-Dec. 2 at 8 p.m.; Dec. 2 and 3 at 2 p.m.

* Where: The Orange County Performing Arts Center, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa.

* Whereabouts: Take the San Diego (405) Freeway to the Bristol Avenue exit north. Turn right from Bristol onto Town Center Drive.

* Wherewithal: $18-$55.

* Where to call: (714) 556-2787.

Family Affair

With “Magic Cadabra,” Matt Mattingly (better known to young Launch Pad visitors as “The Snake Guy”) will help viewers ages 5 to adult understand the science behind magic tricks that have befuddled viewers for ages. He will do the 45-minute presentation in the guise of Prof. Presto, a character inspired by a melange of Shakespearean and modern clowns from Falstaff to Jim Carrey).

* What: The “Magic Cadabra” magic and science show.

* When: Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m.

* Where: The Launch Pad science center, third floor, Crystal Court mall, 3333 Bear St., Costa Mesa.

* Whereabouts: From the San Diego (405) Freeway, exit at Bristol Street and head north. Turn left onto Sunflower Avenue, left onto Bear Street, and right into the mall.

* Wherewithal: $5, includes admission to Launch Pad’s current exhibit, “Geometry in Our World.”

* Where to call: (714) 546-2061.