TODAY’S BEST BETS

Music

Carl St.Clair conducts the Pacific Symphony in Mahler’s Symphony No. 8, with eight soloists, the Pacific Chorale, Mountainside Master Chorale, Cal State Fullerton University Singers and Pacific Chorale Children’s Chorus.

* Orange County Performing Arts Center, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. (714) 755-5799. 8 p.m. Also Saturday at 8 p.m.

Jazz

The 10th annual Southern California Jazz Fest features 17 Dixieland and traditional bands, including Bobby Gordon’s trio, the Golden Eagle Jazz Band, Yve Evans, the Chicago Six and Mora’s Modern Rhythmists.

* Buena Park Hotel, Crescent and Grand avenues, Buena Park. (888) 215-6222. 5 p.m. Also Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m.

Theater

A new drama by Stephen Fife examines Vincent Van Gogh’s struggles with his passions and his family in his early days as a painter.

* “Break of Day,” Lillian Theatre, 1076 N. Lillian Way, Hollywood. (323) 655-TKTS. 8 p.m. Regular schedule: Wednesday-Friday, 8 p.m. Ends Nov. 19.

Pop Music

He was hoarse when he performed at the Anaheim Convention Center, but that was in May, so fans of singer Juan Gabriel are expecting to see the Mexican superstar back in top form.

* Universal Amphitheatre, 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City. (818) 622-4440. 8:15 p.m. Also Saturday and Sunday, 8:15 p.m.