‘World Stages’ Concerts

The Philharmonic Society of Orange County and the Irvine Barclay Theatre will jointly sponsor a four-concert “World Stages” series at the Irvine theater in 1999-2000. The series will open Oct. 14 with flamenco guitarist Paco Pena and the Chilean group Inti-Illimani. It will continue Jan. 14 and 15 with the Shanghai Kunju Opera Theatre of China; March 28 with BeauSoleil Cajun band from Louisiana and Ad Vielle Que Pourra folk group from Quebec; and May 1 with the Chucho Valdes Quartet from Cuba.

All programs will begin at 8 p.m. Information: (949) 553-2422 or (949) 854-4646.

Cajun & Zydeco Festival

Bucking any hint of superstition, the Southern California Cajun & Zydeco festival will be back with its 13th annual edition June 5-6 at Rainbow Lagoon in Long Beach. Queen Ida, long the top female artist in zydeco music, will headline both days; fellow zydeco artist Terrance Simien and the Cajun band Eddie Lejeune & the Morse Playboys also are prominently billed both days. The shows run from noon to 7 p.m., with Cajun food and dance workshops featured along with the music in an attempt to replicate an authentic Louisiana party. Information: (562) 427-3713, (562) 427-8834, or (800) 803-3323 for telephone orders.