Going North

* Theater--The MultiCultural Drama Club will present “Nasty With a Twist” at UC Santa Barbara’s MultiCultural Center Theater. The program is a concoction of eight original works created by members of the ethnically diverse theater troupe, which consists of UC Santa Barbara students and staff. Show times: today-Saturday, 7:30 p.m. Free. 893-3535.

* Dance Drama--Santa Barbara Dance Alliance will open “Shakyamuni: The Life of Buddha” Friday at Center Stage Theatre in Santa Barbara. The work is a retelling of the life of Siddhartha Gautama, founder of Buddhism, and incorporates contemporary music, dance and theater. Show times: Friday-Saturday, 8 p.m.; matinee this Sunday only, 2 p.m. Through April 21. $18 general, $15 senior citizens and students. The venue is upstairs at Paseo Nuevo Center, at Chapala and De la Guerra streets. 963-0408.

* Country--After writing a slew of country music hits in the ‘70s and ‘80s for himself and dozens of others, Rodney Crowell has a new album, “The Houston Kid,” which paints a vivid picture of the life of a boy growing up on the poor side of Houston. He will perform Saturday in the next installment of the Sings Like Hell concert series at Lobero Theatre, 33 E. Canon Perdido St., Santa Barbara. Show time: 8 p.m. Also on the bill, Susan Sheller. Advance, $28.50; at the door, $32.50. 963-0761.

* Messiah--The music department of El Montecito Presbyterian Church will present the Lenten portion of Handel’s “Messiah” Sunday at 4 p.m. Conductor Chris Bowman will lead an orchestra, chorus and soloists. The church is at 1455 E. Valley Road, Montecito. $5. 969-5041.