FRIDAY AND SATURDAY: DOUBLE THE PLEASUREEnding its...

FRIDAY AND SATURDAY: DOUBLE THE PLEASURE

Ending its inaugural season, the New West Symphony, conducted by Boris Brott, will present concerts this weekend under the title “Double Concerto,” featuring cellist Denis Brott and violinist Kathleen Winkler.

On the program will be Mendelssohn’s Fourth Symphony, the “Duo Brilliant” by Henri Vieuxtemps, and Brahms’ “Double Concerto for Cello and Violin.” The symphony plays on Friday ($15-$30) at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center, 800 Hobson Way, and on Saturday ($17-$55) at Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza Auditorium, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. Both concerts are at 8 p.m. For more information, call 643-8646.

SATURDAY: SEASON’S FINALE

The Ojai Camerata will wrap up its fifth season at the Ojai Presbyterian Church with “Gloriae,” a wide-ranging program of sacred music. Included are works by Guillaume Dufay, Rossini, Hildegard von Bingen, a chant from the African Shona tribe, and the premiere of a new work by Santa Barbara-based organist and composer, Emma Lou Diemer.

Joining the Camerata, under the direction of Charles McDermott, will be the Gerbert and Gregory piano duo. The Ojai Presbyterian Church is located on the corner of Foothill Road and Aliso Street in Ojai. The concert will begin at 8 p.m. Tickets are $12 general, $9 for students and seniors. For more information, call 289-4890.

SUNDAY: VIRTUOSO PERFORMANCE

Rick Reeves & the Future Blues Band, led by the virtuoso player of the same name, will amaze the patrons at Deer Lodge, 2261 Maricopa Highway, Meiners Oaks. Reeves, who has been playing locally for about 15 years, has about 90 minutes of originals plus a repertoire of over 300 covers by artists such as Cream, Jimi Hendrix and B.B. King.

In fact, Reeves, owner of more than 40 guitars and part-time guitar teacher, can play behind his head better than most people can play normally. The band has opened for numerous touring rock stars at the Ventura Theatre, including John Mayall and Leon Russell.

The music will start kickin’ at 3:30 p.m. at Deer Lodge, where Harleys are optional. For more information, call 646-4256.

UP THE COAST

* The Oak Park Cultural Festival series continues Sunday with the Chinese Festival, held 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Presented by the Santa Barbara Chinese American Assn., the day’s events feature an impressive array of continual entertainment on three stages.

Highlights: Chinese folk dancing, martial arts exhibition, fashion show, Chinese Music Orchestra of UCLA, lion dance, magicians, foods and much more. Admission is free.

The park is at Alamar Avenue and Junipero Street. For more information, call 967-3918.

* The Santa Barbara premiere of Harold Pinter’s acclaimed comedy “No Man’s Land” will be staged by the Ensemble Theatre Company for a short run at the Alhecama Theatre, 914 Santa Barbara St.

Opening on Friday, the play is a look at two aging writers--one successful, one not--who have a drink together and share remembrances.

Show times: 8 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays; through June 2. Tickets: $18-$23. For more information, call 962-8606.

* The Santa Barbara Symphony, joined by the 100-member Santa Barbara Choral Society, will perform its season-ending concerts this weekend at the Arlington Theatre. Conducted by Gisele Ben-Dor, Mahler’s “Resurrection” symphony will be performed with guest artists, soprano Elissa Johnston and mezzo-soprano Tatyana Rashkovsky.

The concerts will begin at 8 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m Sunday. The theater is at 1317 State St. Tickets: $11-$36. For more information, call 963-4408.