BEST BETS Friday 7/13

8pm

Dance

Teatro alla Scala Ballet Company of Milan, Italy, will present the American premiere performances of Sylvie Guillem’s production of “Giselle” today through the weekend at the Orange County Performing Arts Center. A former “e’toille” (star) with Paris Opera Ballet during the years Rudolf Nureyev was artistic director, Guillem will dance the title role opposite Laurent Hilaire (as Albrecht) today at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. She will dance opposite Riccardo Massimi at 2 p.m. on Saturday and opposite Massimo Murru at 8 p.m. on Saturday. During this tour, La Scala Ballet is dancing only in Orange County and at the Lincoln Center Festival in New York.

* La Scala Ballet, Orange County Performing Arts Center, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. 8 p.m. Also Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. $20 to $80. (714) 556-2787.

10am

Fair

The Orange County Fair opens this week with the “‘I Love Lucy’ 50th Anniversary Experience,” a nationally touring interactive attraction that allows fans to reenact memorable moments from the TV series. The scenes feature the “Vitameatavegemin” pitch, the grape-stomping wine vat and the chocolates conveyor belt. Participants in the games will be videotaped for possible inclusion in a CBS special. The event is one of many fair activities, including live music and dance performances, arts, crafts and educational shows, food tasting and animal races. The fair’s theme is “Twist & Shout: Celebrate Citrus and Sun.”

* Orange County Fair 2001 “Twist & Shout: Celebrate Citrus and Sun,” Orange County Fairgrounds, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa. July 13-29. Monday-Wednesday, noon-midnight; Thursday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-midnight. $3 to $7; children age 5 and under, free. (714) 708-3247.