Plan Ahead

* Young Stars--The New West Symphony will present its Discovery Artists Concerts on Jan. 21 and 22. The performances feature seven young instrumental and vocal soloists who are winners of the audition for the Discovery Artists 2000 Concerts. The concerts feature each soloist performing with the New West Symphony. Jan. 21, 7:30 p.m.: Oxnard Performing Arts Center, 800 Hobson Way. Jan. 22, 7:30 p.m.: Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza’s Kavli Theatre, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. Performers: Bronwyn Banerdt, 15, cello; Natalie Bonifede, 13, French horn; Keith Giacopuzzi, 16, mandolin; Kristopher Khang, 17, cello; Yevgeniy Milyavskiy, 15, piano; Chris Stoutenborough, 15, clarinet; Jessica Rivera, 25, voice. $7-$18. 497-5800.

* Live--The Ojai Playwrights Conference will present a live reading of Kevin Crowley’s dark comedy “Disgruntled Employees” Jan. 22 at Nordhoff High School. The 8 p.m. reading will be performed by David Hyde Pierce, John Mahoney, Peter Strauss and Christine Estabrook. Proceeds will benefit the Ojai Playwrights Conference, which will hold its third annual event in July. $50. The high school is at 1401 Maricopa Highway, Ojai. Reservations are suggested. 640-0400.

* Family--The Gizmo Guys--globe-trotting jugglers extraordinaire--will perform an installment of the Performances to Grow On series Jan. 22 at Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza’s Scherr Forum, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. Show time: 7 p.m. General, $12; children, $10. All children, regardless of age, must have a ticket. 646-8907 or 449-2787.

* Traditional Dance--The Claddagh School of Irish Dancing will stage “Rhythm ‘n’ Shoes the Irish Way” Jan. 23 at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center, 800 Hobson Way. Show time: 3 p.m. $10, $12. 486-2424.