Newport library to host family concerts

Parents will have two chances this fall to introduce their children to opera and various musical instruments.

The Newport Beach Public Library is hosting two free family concerts geared toward teaching children to appreciate and understand music.

The first concert, “Adventures in Song and Story,” will feature members of the Southland Opera at 11 a.m. Oct. 1 in the Friends Meeting Room at the Newport Beach Central Library, 1000 Avocado Ave.

The performance will include popular fairy tales and stories to introduce children to operas, musicals and operettas. Children will have the chance to learn a dance with Hansel and Gretel, meet the three little maids from “The Mikado,” and sing with Maria from “The Sound of Music.”

The second concert features singer and songwriter Paul Tracey and different instruments at 11 a.m. Nov. 19 in the Friends Meeting Room.

Tracey’s performance is based on his song “I Found it in a Book.” He will give demonstrations on the song flute, the standard orchestral flute, the piccolo, the African mbira, the Kalimba and the guitar.

For more information, contact the library at (949)717-3860.

— Britney Barnes

Twitter: @BritneyJBarnes