How to Ease Labor Pains

There are basically two ways to approach Labor Day weekend. Raise a toast and mourn the passing of summer, or kick up your heels and celebrate the beginning of fall.

No matter how you see it, there’s no reason to be bored this weekend. From concerts to car shows, there’s something happening for just about everyone.

Folks can sample food, crafts and entertainment from 15 different cultures at the annual International Street Fair, today through Sunday in Downtown Plaza in Orange.

The village square area--bordered by Maple and Almond avenues, Orange and Olive streets--will be closed off to make room for 10 stages with continuous entertainment, including rock, blues, country and oldies music and ethnic dancing.

Visitors will be able to sample a variety of dishes, such as sushi and ableskivers, barbecued beef and Indian fry bread, at the dozens of food booths lining the streets. More than 60 artisans will sell handmade hats, flower arrangements, jewelry, wood products and other items.

For the youngsters there’s Children’s Village with a petting zoo, hands-on crafts, carnival rides and more.

Hours are 5-10 p.m. today, and 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Admission is free. (714) 532-6260.

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Pianist Monty Alexanders’ trio headlines the first night of the West Coast Jazz Party, beginning tonight at the Irvine Marriott, 1800 Von Karman Ave.

The three-day party will feature some 25 musicians, including saxophonists Rickey Woodard, Ken Peplowski, Bud Shank and Nick Brignola, in mix and match jam sessions each night.

Saturday’s headliner is drummer Jeff Hamilton’s trio, on Sunday trombonist Rob McConnell & the West Coast Boss Brass are featured.

Special events include Saturday’s noon pool party with drummer Frank Capp’s Juggernaut and Sunday’s 11 a.m. jazz cruise on Newport Harbor.

Music begins at 7 each night. Tickets are $40-$55 or $175-$215 for a three-day pass. Tickets for the Jazz Cruise and Brunch are $60. (949) 724-3602.

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A short jog north is the three-day Long Beach Blues Festival beginning Saturday on Atherton Athletic Field at Cal State Long Beach, Atherton Street at Palo Verde Avenue.

The festival opens in a party mood with the Blues Brothers band, Roomful of Blues, Ronnie Earl, Wilson Pickett and others. It continues Sunday with a “British Blues Reunion” featuring John Mayall, onetime Rolling Stone Mick Taylor, Fleetwood Mac’s Peter Green and members of the Yardbirds. (For a profile of Green, see F1)

Monday rocks out with Taj Mahal, Duke Robillard, Tracy Nelson and others.

Gates open at 9 a.m. daily. Tickets are $27 in advance and $30 at the door. A three-day pass is $70. (562) 498-8888.

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Former Doobie Brother Michael McDonald and Grammy-award winning crooner Christopher Cross sing at a free show Saturday at Garden Grove’s Village Green Park, 12731 Main St. Grounds open at 5 p.m. for picnicking, and the concert begins at 8. Comedian Roger Kraft opens. The show caps the city’s Renaissance Garden Grove celebration. (714) 741-5117.

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Members of the South Coast Storytellers Guild will treat audiences to two evenings of old-time storytelling around the campfire Saturday and Sunday at O’Neill Regional Park, 30892 Trabuco Canyon Road, Rancho Santa Margarita.

Barbecues and marshmallow roasts will be available for picnickers. Animal stories by park rangers, craft activities ($2 donation) and family games will be available to those who arrive early (3-4:30 p.m.).

Storytelling begins at 7 p.m. and ends around 9:30 both nights. Admission is free. Parking is $4. You may stay overnight for $12. (949) 496-1960.

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Be among the first 100 visitors each day to the Labor Day Family Funfest beginning Saturday at the Richard Nixon Library & Birthplace in Yorba Linda at 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd., and you’ll get free apple pie.

The event, which continues through Monday, includes country, Cajun and oldies music by the Fort Worth West Band and others, as well as dancing, sand sculpting, the All-American Food Walk, a sidewalk chalk art display, petting zoo, a dog Frisbee show, library tours and more.

It’s all included with the library’s regular admission of $2-$5.95 ($1 extra for the petting zoo). Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. (714) 993-5075.

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If you’re a car lover, don’t miss the Orange County Cruisin’ Assn.’s annual Great Labor Day Cruise beginning Saturday at the Orange County Fair and exposition center, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa.

The three-day show features more than a thousand street rods, vintage and custom cars, as well oldies music by Captain Cardiac & the Conoraries on Saturday and Imagine, a Beatles tribute, on Sunday.

Hundreds of manufacturer booths will sell car related products and services of all kinds and there will be face painting and other activities for the little ones.

Hours are 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m.-noon Monday. Admission is $7-$8, free for children under 12. (714) 826-1948.

Bill Kolhasse contributed to this report.