PopBob Brozman takes his calling so seriously...

Pop

Bob Brozman takes his calling so seriously that he has written a book about it: “The History & Artistry of National Resonator Instruments.” What Brozman spent 290 pages writing about, he spends his career playing. The Northern California-based singer-guitarist has steadily issued albums that deploy his National Steel guitars in such old-time styles as blues and Hawaiian slide guitar. Serious about the guitars he plays, Brozman is also committed to using them toward amusing and entertaining ends: Humor has a large place in his repertoire, and his shows include a certain amount of wry visual flash to go with the hot playing.

* Who: Bob Brozman.

* When: Saturday at 8 p.m.

* Where: Ball Junior High School cafeteria, 1500 Ball Road, Anaheim.

* Whereabouts: Exit the Santa Ana (5) Freeway at Harbor Boulevard; go north. Turn left onto Ball Road. The school is on left, just beyond the railroad tracks.

* Wherewithal: $12; free for children 18 and under, with adult.

* Where to call: (714) 638-1466.

Comedy

For a guy who plays with dolls for a living, award-winning comedian-

ventriloquist Jeff Dunham continues to do well for himself. He’s on the road about 40 weeks a year and is among the top draws for concerts and comedy clubs. Dunham’s most recent success has been appearances on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” where he and the grumpy Walter put their inimitable spin on the day’s political issues.

* Who: Comedian-ventriloquist Jeff Dunham, with pals Peanut and Walter.

* When: Tonight at 8:30, Friday 8:30 and 10:30 p.m., Saturday 8 and 10:30 p.m., Sunday at 8 p.m.

* Where: Irvine Improv, 4255 Campus Drive, Irvine.

* Whereabouts: Exit the San Diego (405) Freeway at Jamboree Road: go south. Turn left onto Campus Drive. The club is in the Irvine Marketplace.

* Wherewithal: $12-$15.

* Where to call: (714) 854-5455.

Music

“Who was that masked man?” Well, pity the poor soul who doesn’t know it was the Lone Ranger. But especially pity the poor soul who doesn’t know the music is Rossini’s famous Overture to “William Tell.” Is it all of the Overture? By no means, as you’ll hear when Edward Cumming leads the Pacific Symphony in this and other music used in cartoons, movies and television programs.

The program also includes Wagner’s “Ride of the Valkyries,” Liszt’s Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2, Von Suppe’s “Light Cavalry” Overture and Lalo’s “Symphonie Espagnole,” with violinist Elizabeth Johnson. The UCI freshman won the Pacific Symphony’s 1995 Concerto Competition. Cumming directs the Pacific Symphony Institute at Cal State Fullerton and is assistant conductor of the Pacific.

* What: “Charge!” by the Pacific Symphony, led by Edward Cumming.

* When: Saturday at 10 and 11:30 a.m.

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

* Whereabouts: Exit the San Diego (405) Freeway at Bristol Avenue; go north. Turn right onto Town Center Drive.

* Wherewithal: $11; $9 for children under age 14.

* Where to call: (714) 755-5799.

Family Affair

British detective Captain Hugh (Bullshot) Crummond is hot on the trail of archenemy Otto Von Brunno, the second most dangerous man in Europe, and Brunno’s daughter Lenya--or is she his mistress?--who have kidnapped a British scientist who’s discovered a secret formula.

Thus London’s Low Moan Spectacular troupe sends up British spy adventure serials of the 1930s and ‘40s in “Bullshot Crummond,” fast-paced, farcical silliness.

* What: “Bullshot Crummond.”

* When: Saturday at 8 p.m.

* Where: Plummer Auditorium, 201 E. Chapman Ave., Fullerton.

* Whereabouts: Exit the Riverside (91) Freeway at Harbor Boulevard; go north. Turn right onto Chapman Avenue, right onto Lemon Street and right again into parking structure.

* Wherewithal: $10-$15. ($2 discount for students and seniors.)

* Where to call: (714) 773-3371.