Music Bookings Nudge O.C. Fair Into ‘90s

The Orange County Fair, July 12-28 this year, will feature a mildly up-to-date streak in its musical offerings for 1996 to go with its familiar oldies attractions and established pop and country acts.

Among the performers of more recent, 1990s vintage are pop-rockers the Rembrandts and Blessid Union of Souls, country acts Little Texas and Ty Herndon, and tejano star Emilio. Also lined up are veterans Eddie Money, Lou Rawls and Brian Setzer.

The Pacific Amphitheatre, site of the fair’s concerts the past two years, is closed due to an ongoing legal dispute over the enforcement of noise regulations, so the format will revert to twice-nightly shows at the smaller Arlington Theatre at the fairgrounds in Costa Mesa. Performances are at 7 and 9 p.m.

The schedule: Little Texas, July 12; Billy Vera and the Beaters, July 13; Rain (Beatles tribute), July 14; Blessid Union of Souls, July 15; Eddie Money, July 16; Temptations, July 17; Starship, July 18; Diane Schuur, July 19; Disco Night with the Trammps, Vicki Sue Robinson, DeneyTerrio and Rose Royce, July 20; Crystal Gayle, July 21; Rembrandts, July 22; Brian Setzer Orchestra, July 23; Kool and the Gang, July 24; Lou Rawls, July 25; Emilio, July 26; Ty Herndon, July 27; and comedian Paul Rodriguez, July 28.

All concerts are free with fair admission, which is $6 for ages 13 to 54, $5 for seniors, $2 for ages 6 to 12 and free under age 6. Information: (714) 708-3247.