Going North

* Theater--Genesis West will present in repertory two comedies by contemporary playwright George F. Walker at the Center Stage Theater in Santa Barbara. “Criminal Genius,” a dark farce about an inept bunch of petty criminals, will open tonight at 8. “Featuring Loretta,” about a young woman looking for freedom and the foolish men who try to take advantage of her, will open Friday at 8 p.m. Starting Jan. 15, both shows will be staged Friday and Saturday evenings, beginning at 7 p.m. with “Featuring Loretta,” through Jan. 29. Other single performances are scheduled as follows: “Criminal Genius,” Jan. 20 and 26, 8 p.m.; “Featuring Loretta,” Jan. 19 and 27, 8 p.m. One play, $16; both, $26. The theater is on the second level of the Paseo Nuevo shopping center. 963-0408.

* Classical--Camerata Pacifica will continue its chamber music series at two venues in Santa Barbara. Tonight at 8: Abravanel Hall, Music Academy of the West, 1070 Fairway Drive, Santa Barbara. Friday, 8 p.m.: Fe Bland Forum, Santa Barbara City College, 721 Cliff Drive, Santa Barbara. Program: works by Schoenberg and Brahms. $25; student rush seats, available 10 minutes before performance, $5; under 16, $5. 961-0570 or (800) 557-2224.

* Bluegrass--The respected Del McCoury Band will perform an installment of the Sings Like Hell series Saturday at Lobero Theatre, 33 E. Canon Perdido St., Santa Barbara. Special guest Split Lip Rayfield will open the show at 8 p.m. Advance, $28.50; at the door, $32.50. 963-0761.

* Jazz--The much-hailed tenor saxophonist Joshua Redman, 30, will bring his quartet to UC Santa Barbara’s Campbell Hall on Tuesday for an evening of original compositions and jazz standards. $14-$20. 893-3535.

* Classical--The Santa Barbara Chamber Orchestra will perform Tuesday at 8 p.m. at the Lobero Theatre, 33 E. Canon Perdido St., Santa Barbara. Led by music director Heiichiro Ohyama, the orchestra will perform Rossini’s “Il Signor Bruschino,” plus symphonies by Mozart and Schubert. $30, $35. 963-0761.