SATURDAY: HIATT ON TOURJohn Hiatt, a singer-songwriter...

SATURDAY: HIATT ON TOUR

John Hiatt, a singer-songwriter who has been touring almost endlessly since 1974, will be at the Ventura Theatre on Saturday singing lyrics such as “Ain’t had a decent meal since you made me cry. I used to be your lover, now I don’t even try.” With over 600 songs to his credit, many covered by rock stars, Hiatt is a guy who likes to perform his own songs. On his most recent bio sheet, Hiatt says of his songs: “They’re conversational--I’m either talking to myself, to a woman or to another guy.”

“Walk On” is Hiatt’s last album, but his repertoire is longer than the evening. Opening will be another singer-songwriter, Ron Sexsmith.

John Hiatt performs Saturday at the Ventura Theatre, 26 S. Chestnut St. Show time is 8 p.m. Tickets are $22. For more information, call 648-1888.

FLAMENCO PERFORMANCE

Few forms of dance and music are as emotionally charged and expressive as flamenco. Locals will get a taste of this Spanish tradition when Quijote & Company presents “Flamenco in Ventura” at the Performance Studio in Ventura’s Livery Building.

Audience members can expect the six-person ensemble of dancers, vocalists and guitarists to improvise their performance, the way flamenco is traditionally performed in the gypsy barrios of Spain.

“Many people in the United States have only seen flamenco in large theater settings, where everything is choreographed in advance,” said Richard Black (El Quijote). “We’re doing a show like you’d see in a small bar in Spain, in an intimate setting, with audience participation. We do it live, we’re spontaneous, we make it up with interplay between each other.”

Quixote & Company perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Performance Studio, 34 N. Palm St. Admission is $15. At 6:30 p.m. Friday, ensemble member Suaya Galindo will lead a flamenco workshop at the studio. Cost is $20. Call 650-9440 for show or class reservations.

EASTER EGG HUNT

Looking for an egg hunt this weekend? Check out Ventura’s fifth annual Cottontail Canyon Day on Saturday. It has egg hunts plus a wild assortment of other stuff--like elephant rides.

The free event runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Arroyo Verde Park, off Foothill and Day roads. The egg hunts, for kids 2 to 8 years old, are so popular that registration begins at 9:30 a.m.

The entertainment slate includes Rick Santoro with his marionettes, magicians and the Oxnard Moose Clown Club blowing up free balloon animals. Kids can also do sand art, make puppets and paint bunny faces. Guides will lead nature walks and games such as the three-legged race.

This city-sponsored event usually draws a crowd--1,000 for the egg hunts and about 7,000 to 8,000 people altogether, according to Judy Devine, coordinator. Parking won’t be allowed in the park that day, but free shuttle buses will operate from Ventura College’s Loma Vista parking lot.

For more information, call 658-4726.

UP THE COAST

* The Santa Barbara Civic Light Opera will open Friday with Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s mega-hit “Jesus Christ Superstar” at the venerable Granada Theatre, 1216 State St., Santa Barbara. The modern rock opera, complete with an array of showy visual effects, will be staged at 8 p.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays, 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, through April 21. An additional matinee will be performed at 3 p.m. April 3. Tickets: $15-$35. Information: (800) 366-6064.

* Presented by the Community Arts Music Assn., noted conductor Leonard Slatkin will lead the St. Louis Symphony at an 8 p.m. performance Saturday at the Arlington Theatre, 1317 State St., Santa Barbara. This is Slatkin’s last tour with the orchestra. The program will include works by Haydn, Baker and Beethoven. Tickets: $20-$53. Information: 963-4408.

* The Santa Barbara Oratorio Chorale, with orchestra and soloists, will present two performances of Bach’s Mass in B Minor at the First Presbyterian Church, 21 E. Constance Ave., Santa Barbara. Show times are 8 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets: $15, $12 senior citizens and students. Group rates are available. Call 967-8287.