BEST BETS Saturday 8/26

IRVINE

8pm

Music

Carl St.Clair will lead the Pacific Symphony in a Gershwin program that includes “Rhapsody in Blue,” “I Got Rhythm Variations” and excerpts from “Porgy and Bess.” The soloists will be pianist Anne-Marie McDermott, soprano Roberta Laws and baritone Kevin Deas. The Paul Smith Singers, formed in Los Angeles in 1998, also will perform.

* Pacific Symphony, Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, 8808 Irvine Center Drive, Irvine. 8 p.m. $15 to $60. (714) 755-5799.

ANAHEIM

8pm

Pop Music

Brothers Russell and Ron Mael, the guiding lights of quirky pop band Sparks, have been accused of many things--the Rolling Stone Record Guide knocked off one star from ratings of each of their albums “for being somewhat responsible for Queen”--but taking themselves too seriously has never been one of them. They’ve just released their first new studio album in six years, “Balls,” and are starting a tour that includes a stop Saturday at Anaheim’ Sun Theatre.

* Sparks, Sun Theatre, 2200 E. Katella Ave., Anaheim. 8 p.m. $26.50. (714) 712-2700.