Arsenal of Family Events Will Light Up the 4th--From Irvine to Beverly Hills

Beyond the traditional fireworks at the beach, a Southern California Fourth of July can mean an outdoor concert, family activities and, this year, a bodybuilding contest.

Here’s a select rundown of noteworthy celebrations Wednesday.

Music lovers will have the opportunity to celebrate multiple nights when the Hollywood Bowl celebrates America’s birthday with its annual “Fireworks Spectacular.” Tonight through Wednesday, this year’s shows will salute the achievements of jazz pioneer Louis Armstrong, Walt Disney and violin great Jascha Heifetz. Principal conductor John Mauceri will lead the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, violinist-concertmaster Bruce Dukov and guest vocalists Kristin Chenoweth and Jubilant Sykes in a show that will also feature Broadway songs from such musicals as “Porgy and Bess” and “Aida.”

Tony Award-winning singer-actress Chenoweth has appeared in such Broadway productions as “Annie,” “Strike Up the Band” and “On a Clear Day You Can See Forever.” Dukov has performed in many film and television soundtracks and has been concertmaster of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra since 1991. Sykes draws on gospel and jazz influences in addition to his traditional career as a classically trained baritone. Tony Award-winning vocalist-actress Heather Headley will also perform; she has starred in such musicals as “Ragtime,” “The Lion King” and “Aida.” Each evening will conclude with a fireworks display set to Sousa marches.

* “Fireworks Spectacular,” Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N. Highland Ave., Los Angeles. Today-Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. $5-$75. Half price for children under 12. (323) 850-2000.

Swingin’ Patriots: The Pacific Symphony will open its outdoor summer festival at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Irvine with a concert titled “Star-Spangled Swing Spectacular.” The salute to the swing era will feature Ann Hampton Callaway, the Tony Award-nominated cabaret star, and dancers from the hit musical “Swing!” Guest conductor Jack Everly will pilot a performance of big-band tunes from the ‘30s and ‘40s and some of America’s most patriotic songs. The concert will also feature the world premiere of Kevin Puts’ “John Brown’s Body: An Orchestral Fantasy,” a newly commissioned work inspired by the 1928 Civil War poem by novelist Stephen Vincent Benet. A 10-minute fireworks display set to a medley of patriotic music will cap off the festivities.

* “Star-Spangled Swing Spectacular,” Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, 8808 Irvine Center Drive, Irvine. Wednesday, 8 p.m. Gates open at 6 p.m. for picnics. $18-$67. (714) 755-5799.

Marionettes and Marches: The Bob Baker Marionettes troupe will present two performances at the Fun on the Fourth of July family celebration at Roxbury Memorial Park in Beverly Hills. Dixieland jazz will be provided by Johnny Rotella and the Dixie 5. The Los Angeles Doctors’ Symphony will also present a musical program of light classics, festive tunes and patriotic marches. Food vendors and family activities such as relay races, carnival games, a petting zoo and pony rides will round out the day.

* Fun on the Fourth of July, starting at 11:30 a.m., Roxbury Memorial Park, 471 S. Roxbury Drive, Beverly Hills. Free parking and shuttle service to the park from Beverly Hills High School, 241 Moreno Drive. Free admission. (310) 550-4796.

Old-Fashioned Fun: Visitors at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum can meet George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson and George Bush look-alikes at the Old-Fashioned Family Fourth of July. Storyteller Jim Woodard will recount Washington becoming the nation’s first president and the story behind the national anthem. Family activities will include carnival games, a pie-eating contest and a balloon toss. Live music will be offered by the Cross Country Band, Center Stage Kids, Children of the American Revolution bell ringers and others.

* Old-Fashioned Family Fourth of July, Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum, 40 Presidential Drive, Simi Valley. Wednesday, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. $4; seniors, $2; age 15 and under, free. (800) 410-8354.

Fireworks and More: Kaboom! claims to present the largest Fourth of July fireworks display in Southern California. But this annual event at Fairplex in Pomona isn’t just about splashy pyrotechnics. Kaboom! also offers such activities as food and game booths, carnival rides, pony rides, a petting zoo and contests. Extreme sports bicycle, skateboarding and in-line skating shows and a classic car show will take place in the mid- to late afternoon. The evening will end with a concert by ‘60s surf rock duo Jan and Dean and the fireworks show. Jan and Dean scored hits with such songs as “Deadman’s Curve” and “Little Old Lady From Pasadena.”

* Kaboom! Fairplex Park infield and grandstand, 1101 W. McKinley Ave., Pomona. 3 p.m. General admission: $6; ages 6-12, $3. Reserved grandstand seats, $9. Reserved box seats, $12. (909) 623-3111.

Waterfront Show: For the 43rd year, the 100-acre Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort will be the site of the festive “Bang of a 4th of July Celebration.” Music, carnival games, crafts, face painting and visits by Uncle Sam will be part of the day. The 12-hour event will be capped off by fireworks at 9 p.m.

* Bang of a 4th of July Celebration, Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort, 1131 Backbay Drive, Newport Beach. 10 a.m.-10 p.m. $25 per car. (800) 765-7661.

Bodies Beautiful: If bodybuilding is your bag and you’re looking for a nontraditional Independence Day activity, check out the Mr. and Ms. Muscle Beach Venice Physique Show. Competition will be conducted for men and women and will be free. Bodybuilding legend Gene Mozee will be presented with the city of Los Angeles’ Spirit of Muscle Beach award. Mozee is a former power-lifting champion. This year marks the 50th anniversary of continuous outdoor bodybuilding and fitness shows presented free at Venice Beach.

* Mr. and Ms. Muscle Beach Venice Physique Show, Venice Beach Recreation Center, 1800 Ocean Front Walk, Venice. 2 p.m.; prejudging, 10 a.m. Free. (909) 938-1718.

Out With a Bang: For the past 23 years, the Valley of the Stars fireworks spectacular has been held at the stadium complex at Cal State Northridge. But this annual tradition will end after this year’s Fourth celebration--the complex is scheduled to be demolished by next summer. The event promises to go out with a bang: Besides the fireworks, Valley of the Stars will feature exhibits, games, carnival rides, celebrities, clowns and a magic show. There will also be live music and a classic car show. Radio station KZLA-FM (93.9) will broadcast live from the festivities.

* Valley of the Stars, North Campus, Cal State Northridge, 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge. 2-10 p.m. $8; children, $5. (818) 700-6175.

Tunes and Roses: Concerts by the Air Force Band & the Orange County Chorus of Barbershop Quartets will highlight the Fourth of July Celebration at the Richard Nixon Library and Birthplace. A George Washington look-alike will be on hand to help create a sense of early American history. Visitors will be free to smell the roses in the Lady’s Gardens, now in full bloom, and visit an exhibit of First Lady Pat Nixon’s gowns and dresses.

* Fourth of July Celebration, Richard Nixon Library & Birthplace, 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. (714) 993-5075.