Imagination Celebration

Kicking off this weekend, Orange County’s Imagination Celebration is an annual multi-week festival of the arts for children and families that is one of the largest of its kind. The goal of the national initiative, sponsored locally by the Orange County Performing Arts Center and the county Department of Education, is to demonstrate to children and families the power of the arts. Activities will include more than 56 public performances, exhibits and festival-style events at more than 30 locations throughout the county. Many events are free. Here’s a partial list of the offerings. The rest we’ll leave up to your imagination.

Saturday

Artists and craftspeople demonstrate how they create at Art-a-Fair: Kreative Kids Day. Then children and adults may try out the techniques at workshops in drawings, painting, papier-ma^che and more. Boys and Girls Club of Laguna Beach, 1085 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free. (714) 494-2535.

Children can try on tutus, take hip-hop dance classes and watch performances of tap, jazz and classical ballet at Anaheim Ballet’s Hands on Dance. There will also be crafts activities and storytelling. Martin Recreation Center, La Palma Park, Harbor Boulevard at La Palma, Anaheim. 3 to 5 p.m. Free. (714) 520-0904.

The Irvine Spectrum hosts Art & Jazz Celebration, noon to 6 p.m. Children of all ages are invited to work with professional artists to create special cards for Mom. ALL THAT, a contemporary jazz group, joined by three college jazz ensembles, will provide the accompaniment. At the intersection of the 5 (Alton Parkway exit) and the 405 (Irvine Center Drive exit), Irvine. Noon to 6 p.m. Free. (714) 541-ARTS.

The Assistance League showcases works of art from more than 500 children grades K-6 from the Irvine Unified School District at Young Masters Art Show Festivities Day. Hands-on art projects, live entertainment and refreshments are also on tap. Irvine City Hall, Alton Parkway at Harvard Street, Irvine, 1 to 5 p.m. Free. (714) 724-6000.

Sunday

Mother’s Day at the Orange County Museum of Art includes workshops on scrapbooks, keepsake boxes, tin-ware frames and paper flowers. Visitors can also listen to stories about mothers and families, watch a performance by Children’s Repertory Theater and the Southern California Singers. Free gallery tours and refreshments will be offered. 850 San Clemente Drive, Newport Beach. Noon to 4 p.m. Free. (714) 759-1122.

Or make reservations for Arts of a Sailor aboard the brig Pilgrim in Dana Point Harbor. Visitors can experience a re-creation of life at sea in the 1830s and learn about seafaring arts and crafts. Afterward, visit the Marine Institute. 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Orange County Marine Institute, 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point. $4 per person. Reservations required. (714) 496-2274.

Imagination Celebration ’98 continues through May 24. Highlights include on May 16: Gogh Van Orange Art and Music Festival, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Historic Old Towne Plaza, free, (714) 538-3581. Also May 17. Imagination Celebration at Santa Ana Zoo, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., 1801 E. Chestnut Ave., Santa Ana, $1.50, (714) 835-7484. Passport to Africa at the Children’s Museum at La Habra, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., 301 S. Euclid, La Habra, free, (562) 905-9693.

May 17: Imagination Celebration Street Fair in Santa Ana, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Artists Village, between Broadway and Main on 2nd Street, free. (714) 833-8500. An Arts Adventure at the Discovery Museum, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., 3101 W. Harvard St., Santa Ana, free. (714) 540-0404.

May 22, 6:30 to 9 p.m., the Bowers Museum hosts a free Future Storytelling Festival, corner of 20th and Main Street, Santa Ana, (714) 567-3600.

May 23-24, the Imagination Celebration’s grand finale, Imaginarium, brings back the popular Meggopolis attraction: a giant outdoor installation of walk-through plastic domes. Parking lot adjacent to the Orange County Performing Arts Center, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Free. Meggopolis admission $1. Tickets will be sold for specific entry times and will be available the day of admission only beginning at 10 a.m. Arrive early. (714) 556-ARTS.

For information on events, call (714) 833-8500 or visit the Web site, https://www.ocartsnet.org/ocpac.