ArtAs a group, Korean American artists are...

Art

As a group, Korean American artists are engaged in a tug-of-war between competing social values: on one hand, the importance of tradition and allegiance to the family unit; on the other, American-style pressure to be idiosyncratic, inventive and beholden to no one.

In “Who’s Afraid of Freedom,” at the Newport Harbor Art Museum through May 26, guest curator Sarah Lee introduces 17 California-based Korean American artists ranging in age from their mid-20s to mid-50s.

Their works in various media were chosen specifically to highlight issues of cultural identity, assimilation and inclusion and ways of melding Eastern and Western approaches to art-making.

* What: “Who’s Afraid of Freedom: Korean-American Artists in California.”

* When: Through May 26. Gallery hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday; noon-5 p.m. Sunday.

* Where: Newport Harbor Art Museum, 850 San Clemente Drive, Newport Beach.

* Whereabouts: Exit San Diego (405) Freeway at Jamboree and head south. Left at Santa Barbara Drive and left at San Clemente Drive.

* Wherewithal: $4 adults, $2 students and seniors, free for children under 12, free for all on Tuesdays.

* Where to call: (714) 759-1122.

Theater

Members of the Quiet Zone Theatre believe that entertainment doesn’t have to be noisy to be exciting. At benefit performances tonight through Saturday, the volunteer company of 80, about half of whom are deaf or hard of hearing, hopes to raise deaf-awareness through songs, dance, magic, mime and skits.

All acts feature sign language; voice interpretation will be provided for the hearing audience in some skits. Proceeds perpetuate events that provide performing opportunities and entertainment for the deaf community.

* What: Quiet Zone Theatre.

* When: Thursday and Friday at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday at 1 and 7:30 p.m.

* Where: Irvine Barclay Theatre, 4242 Campus Drive.

* Whereabouts: Take the San Diego (405) Freeway to the Jamboree Road exit and head south. Turn left at Campus Drive. The theater is near Pereira Drive and Bridge Road, across from the Marketplace mall.

* Wherewithal: $10-$13.

* Where to call: (714) 854-4646.

Comedy

In a continuing effort to expand its talent roster beyond straight stand-up comedy, the Brea Improv is bringing in Finis Henderson, a musical impressionist whose right-on repertoire includes Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley and Sammy Davis Jr. For laughs, the Chicago native throws in John Wayne singing James Brown. Besides headlining across the United States, the former Motown recording artist has opened for Gladys Knight, Richard Pryor and Rodney Dangerfield.

* Who: Finis Henderson.

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

* 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: $10-$12.

* Where to call: (714) 528-7878.

Family Affair

They’re throwing a big shindig at George Key Ranch on Saturday. The honoree is George Key II, born to ranch founders George and Mary Key in 1896 and the man who was instrumental in preserving part of the family’s citrus ranch as a county historical park.

This year’s Orange County Pioneer Day will honor him on the centennial of his birth (he died in 1989). There’ll be a family-oriented day of square dancing, turn-of-the-century music, blacksmith and period craft demonstrations and tours of the Key ranch house. Visitors can also stroll through the ranch shade garden.

* What: Orange County Pioneer Day.

* When: Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

* Where: George Key Ranch, 625 W. Bastanchury Road, Placentia.

* Whereabouts: Exit the Orange (57) Freeway at Yorba Linda Boulevard and go east. Turn left onto Placentia Avenue, then left onto Bastanchury. Park adjacent to Sierra Vista School.

* Wherewithal: $3; $2 for kids under 12.

* Where to call: (714) 528-4260.