Musical Classic

New West Symphony will present its concert version of Rossini’s comic opera masterpiece “The Barber of Seville” in Oxnard and Thousand Oaks this weekend. The opera cast will feature baritone Nmon Ford-Livene as Figaro. Stage direction is by Daniel Helfgot of Opera San Jose.

* The New West Symphony, “Barber of Seville,” Friday, 8 p.m., Oxnard Performing Arts Center, 800 Hobson Way; Saturday 8 p.m., Thousands Oaks Civic Arts Plaza Kavli Theatre, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. $8-$55. 497-5800.

Words & Images

The fourth annual “Ojai Shorts” event Saturday, benefiting Ojai Valley Library Friends and Foundation, will feature professional actors reading a variety of literary selections. Proceeds will go to the community’s three public libraries. Performers are to include Peter Strauss, Dwier Brown, Kim Maxwell-Brown, Doug Motel, John Perry, Rachel Ticotin, Leigh Curran, John Diehl, Peter Bellwood and Robin Strasser.

* “Ojai Shorts” fund-raiser, Saturday, 8 p.m., Matilija Junior High School, 703 El Paseo Road, Ojai. $30. 289-0368.

Jazz

The Carnegie Art Museum in Oxnard will open another offering in its seasonal “Sunday Afternoon Jazz at the Carnegie” series this weekend. The Blade Company, featuring vocalist-saxophonist Michael Blade, will kick off the monthly series with funk dance music. Proceeds from the concerts benefit the museum’s children’s education programs.

* The Blade Company, Sunday, 4:30 - 6:30 p.m., Carnegie Art Museum, 424 South C St., Oxnard. $9 general, $7 museum members. 385-8157.

Opera for the Masses

The Simi Valley Cultural Arts Assn. and Southwest Arts CoOPERAtive will present Puccini’s classic opera “La Boheme” Sunday. Formerly the Intimate Opera Company, Southwest Arts features a cast of professional artists from Los Angeles and Orange counties specializing in staging opera works accessible to the general public. The “La Boheme” production will use an English translation recently presented at Cal State Northridge.

* “La Boheme,” Sunday, 7:30 p.m., Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center, 3050 Los Angeles Ave. $15 general, $12 seniors and students, $8 ages 12 and under. 581-9940.