WEEKEND: BALLETThe Channel Islands Ballet will return...

WEEKEND: BALLET

The Channel Islands Ballet will return to the stage with Igor Stravinsky’s “Firebird” at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center, 800 Hobson Way. The ballet consists of two tableaux, and opens with Prince Ivan (Alexander Greschenko) pursuing the Firebird into the forest of the wicked sorcerer Kastchei (Mikhail Tchoupakov). The prince soon discovers that the sorcerer has imprisoned a group of beautiful maidens and finds himself in danger of being turned into stone for attempting to free them. Protected by a magical feather given to him by the Firebird (Monica Galindo) during his battle against the evil magician, the prince is able to win the maidens’ freedom and falls in love with the Princess Tsarevna. Their eventual matrimony is portrayed in the ballet’s second tableau. Performances will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. The first half of the program will feature a selection of pieces choreographed by Channel Islands Ballet artistic director Clarissa Boeriu and set to the music of Haydn and Glasunov. Guest pianist Julie Green will also perform. After an intermission, the troupe will return with the 45-minute “Firebird.” Tickets: $6-$18. Information: 486-2424 or 648-4430.

LIVING HISTORY

Although it’s been over for more than 130 years, the Civil War continues in endless overtime as countless living-history buffs in practically every state honor the memories of those who fought for their ideals so fiercely so long ago. There will be a Civil War living history presentation Saturday and Sunday, which will include an encampment and battles at Lake Casitas near Ojai. Everything will be painstakingly real, except for all that blood, and the soldiers only “die” temporarily. In addition to the infantry, there will also be artillery and cavalry demonstrations. Those seeking to preserve the Union will seek to enliven the “Battle Cry of Freedom” with a shower of Minie balls on the recalcitrant Rebels during battles at 1 and 3 p.m. each day. Each day’s events begin at 10 a.m. and last until 5 p.m., with a dance slated for Saturday night, which is $10 for civilians. Admission: $6, $4 for children. To find Lake Casitas, take California 33 toward Ojai, then turn left on California 150 and follow the signs. Information: 496-6036.

SATURDAY: CATCH SOME CASH

Drop a line at Lake Piru and you might pull out some big bucks, or maybe take home some new fishing gear--that is, if you enter the sixth annual Family Fishing Derby. Snag the trout tagged as the grand prize and you’ll get $500. Five other tagged trout are worth $100 apiece. There are also money prizes for the largest and heaviest trout and bass catches. Kids 15 and under can win fishing equipment for several categories, including heaviest trout and bass. Registration begins at 6 a.m. at the lake, located off California 126. Weigh-in is at 2 p.m. for kids and 3:30 p.m. for adults. Fees for entering the derby are $35 for a family ticket, $17 for adults, $12 for kids 12-15, $6 for kids 6-11, $10 for seniors, and free for children 3-5. Proceeds fund the Imogene Vest Memorial Scholarship. Information: 521-1500.

UP THE COAST

* Cirque Eloize is an eight-person troupe whose members are graduates of the famed Cirque de Soleil and Ecole Nationale de Cirque. You can catch their dazzling display Saturday at the Lobero Theatre, 33 E. Canon Perdido St., Santa Barbara. Show times: 3 and 7 p.m. Tickets: $20, $15 children. Information: 966-4946.

* International flamenco dance sensation La Tania will make her debut in Santa Barbara for an 8 p.m. show at UC Santa Barbara’s Campbell Hall on Saturday. Isaac Fernandez, who is on tour from his native Spain, will join La Tania. The duo will be accompanied by vocalists Jesus Montoya and Antonio de Jerez, and guitar soloist Guillermo Rios. Tickets: $13-$18. Information: 893-3535.

* Acclaimed violinist Gilles Apap will join the UCSB music faculty for its spring concert at 4 p.m. Sunday at the Music Academy of the West, 1070 Fairway Road, Montecito. Tickets: $10, $7 students. Information: 893-3230.