FRIDAY: Gotta LovettHe used to have the...

FRIDAY: Gotta Lovett

He used to have the weird hair and the famous wife, but Lyle Lovett still has what he started with--a bunch of great songs, which are even better if you happen to be from Texas. Lovett and His Large Band will be playing tunes from his first five albums as well as the newest, “The Road to Ensenada,” at the tree-lined Santa Barbara County Bowl.

Adept at being funny and serious in the same song, some of Lovett’s classics that make the drive worthwhile include “Creeps Like Me,” “She’s No Lady” and “If I Had a Boat.” The instant classic off the new one is “Don’t Touch My Hat,” a very Texas type of tune.

Opening will be another singer-songwriter, Lisa Loeb. Tickets: $34, $30, $24 or $20.50. The venue is at 1122 Milpas Street, Santa Barbara. Call 568-2695 to find out more about this 7 p.m. show.

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SATURDAY: Playing for ‘Zorro’

When the silent film “The Mark of Zorro” hits the outdoor screen at Ventura’s Olivas Adobe, classical guitarist Carlos Gonzales will be providing the soundtrack.

Gonzales, a local musician and instructor, composed an original score for the showing of the 1921 silent film. Douglas Fairbanks Sr. plays Zorro, a sort-of Mexican version of Robin Hood, who carves his trademark initial during his escapades.

Prior to the movie, Gonzales begins the evening at 7 with a concert by his students. Tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for senior citizens and children. The event is part of the city’s “Music Under the Stars” summer entertainment program at Olivas Adobe, 4200 Olivas Park Drive. For information, call 658-4726.

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Unplugged at the Park

File this under affordable fun: It’s once again time to get mellow in Camarillo at Henson’s 16th Annual Acoustic Music Festival at Dizdar Park. No long lines, no high prices (it’s free), no mean bouncers, no high-decibel headaches and no mosh pits, just acoustic music and a picnic in the park. Hey, this is liable to give live music a good name.

This event began in 1980, and since then, virtually every local band has played quietly in it at least once. This year the lineup includes the Convertibles, Blimp, Jacob’s Ladder, Bud Bierhaus, Anastasia & John, Bob Jones & Mike Velasquez, Ohana Puanani and even acoustic reggae by Yahman. The music begins around 11 a.m. Dizdar Park is the big green thing located on Glenn Drive, just off Ventura Boulevard in Camarillo. Call 641-3788 to find out more.

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UP THE COAST

The Santa Barbara Grand Opera, with orchestra, will continue its staging of Bizet’s “Carmen” at the Lobero Theatre, 33 E. Canon Perdido, Santa Barbara. Led by noted director Bodo Igesz, the production features a cast of 70 singers and actors staging the tale about gypsies, toreadors, smugglers and flamenco dancers. Show times: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Wednesday and Aug. 16, plus 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets: $25, $35, $45. To purchase tickets or for more information, call 963-0761.

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A GLANCE AHEAD

The Foundation of American Roots Music will provide the perfect excuse to pull out the tie-died T-shirts and Birkenstocks when it presents Groove Fest: Ripple in Still Water--a kind of homage to Jerry Garcia--at Lake Casitas on Aug. 17.

Headlining the free-spirited afternoon will be Bay Area-based Second Sight and Dose Hermanos. The bill includes Organix, Tombo Combo and Mr. Ectomy. There will also be a vendors’ village, food and beverage booths and crafts. A special campsite will be set aside especially for concert-goers. When phoning for camping reservations, request Section O. Tickets: advance $17, $20 at the gate. For more information, 646-7230; e-mail, GrFest@aol.com.