WEEKEND:CarmenThe West Valley Symphony Orchestra and the...

WEEKEND:

Carmen

The West Valley Symphony Orchestra and the Pierce College Premiere Chorale will perform excerpts from Bizet’s opera, “Carmen,” Sunday evening at Warner Park.

The performance will be a concert presentation of the excerpts, which will include most of the opera’s famous pieces, including “Habanera,” “Seguidilla,” “Toreador’s Song,” “Rose Aria” and “March of the Soldier Children.”

“We’re doing all the highlights involving the main characters,” says James Domine, West Valley Symphony Orchestra’s music director.

The performers--Linda Frisch-Jarvis as Carmen, Gabriel Pasos as Don Jose, Deborah Mayhan as Micaela, and Roberto Alcaraz Jr. as Escamillo--and the chorale will be in what Domine refers to as “quasi-costume,” dressing with color to reflect the opera’s essential flavor.

* The West Valley Symphony Orchestra and the Pierce College Premiere Chorale perform excerpts from “Carmen,” 5:30 p.m. Sunday at Warner Park, 5800 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Woodland Hills, Free. Call (818) 704-1587.

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Jazz

Singer-pianist Diane Schuur performs Sunday evening at the Starlight Bowl in Burbank. Words such as “robust” and “vivacious” have been used to describe Schuur’s music.

Schuur, who has recorded nine albums, won a Grammy in 1988 for her album with the Count Basie Orchestra. She also works in smaller settings with just her piano, bass and drums.

Schuur told The Times in 1995, “With the big band, you have to make sure all the charts are together, and you have to follow them just so. In the smaller setting, you get to stretch out on the solos more. But basically, it’s the same. When you’re having fun, you’re having fun.”

* Diane Schuur performs 6:30 p.m. Sunday at Starlight Bowl, 1246 Lockheed View Drive, Burbank. Tickets are $1. Call (818) 238-5300.

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Latin

The seven-piece band, Tapistree, will perform its brand of jazz rock at El Chaparral Restaurant in Sylmar on Friday and Saturday nights. The house band at the eatery for the last two years, Tapistree has just released its first CD.

The recordings blend the band’s Latin rhythms with humor, and a party attitude along with small nuggets of philosophy. Songs include “The Pachanga (The Party),” “Si Se Puede (You Can Make It),” “No Tengo Dinero (I Don’t Have Any Money),” and “I’m Hooked.”

* Tapistree performs Friday and Saturday nights at El Chaparral Restaurant, 13763 Foothill Blvd., Sylmar. Call (818) 367-5979.

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Mostly Mozart

The Burbank Symphony, under the direction of Victor Vener, presents “Mostly Mozart” Saturday evening at the Starlight Bowl.

The all-Mozart program includes Violin Concerto No. 3 in G Major, K. 216; Symphony No. 25 in G Minor, K. 182; Serenade in G Major, K. 525 (Eine Kleine Nachtmusik). and Divertimento No. 2 in D Flat Major, K. 113.

Violinist Armen Anassian will be the guest soloist. Anassian recently returned from a world tour as conductor for recording artist Yanni. Born in Armenia, he also worked with the Heidelberg Chamber Orchestra, the Hoboken Chamber Orchestra, the Pacific Symphony and the Pasadena Pops Orchestra, among others.

The Myles Marsden Ballet Company will also perform.

* The Burbank Symphony Orchestra will present “Mostly Mozart” at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Starlight Bowl, 1246 Lockheed View Drive, Burbank. Tickets are $5-$25. Call (818) 846-5981.