ArtThe artists behind the “Major Art/Minor Artists”...

Art

The artists behind the “Major Art/Minor Artists” exhibit opening Friday at downtown Santa Ana’s Daniel Arvizu Gallery view their show as a homecoming--so much so that they’ve dubbed it “Mama Comes Home.”

Fresh from a monthlong run at the Newport Harbor Art Museum, the collection of 500 works by select grade school students in the Santa Ana Unified School District’s Special Studio program marks the first time the youngsters have exhibited a body of their work practically in their own backyards.

* What: “Major Art/Minor Artists.”

* When: Friday through June 28. Gallery hours: Thursday-Saturday, noon to 4 p.m.

* Where: Daniel Arvizu Gallery, 215 N. Broadway, Santa Ana.

* Whereabouts: From the Santa Ana (5) freeway, take the 1st Street exit and drive east. Turn right onto Broadway. The gallery is on the ground floor of the Santora building, between 2nd and 3rd streets.

* Wherewithal: Free.

* Where to call: (714) 972-1212.

Comedy

Cajun and zydeco music aren’t all Louisiana is known for. The state also spawned one of today’s top comedian-hypnotists. Flip Orley’s career had dubious roots in grade school when he bought a how-to book on hypnotism, figuring he could meet and control girls. Today, the Lafayette resident controls several volunteers from the audience on trips through suggested scenarios, including meetings with space aliens and sessions analyzing the women on “Gilligan’s Island.” The results are generally hilarious and always unpredictable.

* Who: Flip Orley.

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

* Where: The Improv, 945 E. Birch St., Brea.

* Whereabouts: Take the Orange (57) freeway to Lambert Road; 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) 529-7878.

Music

The Hollywood Pops Symphony Orchestra appears in Orange County for the first time on Saturday, at the Jewish Community Center in Costa Mesa in celebration of Jerusalem’s 3,000th birthday. Founding conductor David Forester will lead the 40-member ensemble and the Forester Master Singers in selections as diverse as Bizet’s “Toreador Song” (from “Carmen”), Verdi’s “Drinking Song” (from “La Traviata”), Offenbach’s “Can-Can” and Ernest Gold’s “Exodus Concerto.” James Raphael will be the piano soloist for Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue.”

* What: The Hollywood Pops.

* When: Saturday at 8:30 p.m.

* Where: The Jewish Community Center of Orange County, 250 E. Baker St., Costa Mesa.

* Whereabouts: Take the San Diego (405) Freeway to the MacArthur Boulevard exit and head north. Turn left onto Main Street, left onto Red Hill Avenue and right onto Baker Street.

* Wherewithal: $25 (JCC members, $18).

* Where to call: (714) 755-0340, Ext. 270.

Family Affair

If you think a line is what you use at a pickup bar and a whopper is what you get at the drive-through, check out the annual Free Fishing Day in Upper Newport Bay on Saturday. It offers hands-on fishing instruction, fishing excursions, touch tanks, tag-and-release projects and children’s activities. It’s all part of the California Department of Fish and Game’s National Fishing Week. No fishing licenses are required, and loaner rods and reels will be available.

* What: Free Fishing Day.

* When: Saturday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

* Where: Shellmaker Island (600 Shellmaker Road, Newport Beach) at the Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve and Regional Park.

* Whereabouts: From the San Diego (405) or Corona del Mar (73) freeways, exit at Jamboree Boulevard and drive south. Turn right onto Back Bay Drive, then left onto Shellmaker Road.

* Wherewithal: Admission, activities and parking are free; refreshments will be sold.

* Where to call: (714) 640-6746.