BEST BETS Thursday 4/5

CORONA DEL MAR

10:30am-4pm

Art

Sherman Library and Gardens in Corona del Mar will feature paintings by Capistrano Beach artist Timothy J. Clark in “Paintings of Sherman Gardens and Andalusia, Spain.” The show opens today and is part of the library and garden’s 35th anniversary. Nearly 30 of Clark’s watercolor and oil paintings are on view. An artist reception will be held Saturday and Sunday.

* “Paintings of Sherman Gardens and Andalusia, Spain,” Sherman Library and Gardens, 2647 E. Coast Highway, Corona del Mar. Daily, 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Artist receptions: Saturday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. and Sunday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. $3 adults; $1 children; children younger than 12 admitted free. (949) 673-2261.

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO

8pm

Pop Music

Sons of the Desert largely takes its cue from innocuous pop-country acts such as Diamond Rio and Little Texas, but occasionally shows an eye for good material, evidenced by its cover of John Hiatt’s “Real Fine Love” on the band’s most recent album, “Change.” Lead singer Drew Womack also can bring a gritty, blue-eyed soulfulness to his vocals. (And no, even though that was Drew and his brother Tim Womack with the rest of the Sons backing up Lee Ann Womack on her hit single “I Hope You Dance,” they’re not related.)

* Sons of the Desert, Coach House, 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. With Brent Payne, Jason Eli. 8 p.m. $19.50 to $21.50. (949) 496-8930.

COSTA MESA

7:30pm

Opera

For its first production of a Richard Strauss opera, Opera Pacific has picked the sumptuous meditation on the ways of youth and age, “Der Rosenkavalier.” Helen Donath and Elizabeth Holleque will alternate as the Marschallin. Patricia Risley and Deanne Meek will alternate as Octavian. Nancy Allen Lundy will sing Sophie. Daniel Lewis Williams and Markus Hollop will alternate as Ochs. John DeMain will conduct. Jay Lesenger is the stage director. The production was created for the Seattle Opera in 1997.

* Opera Pacific, Orange County Performing Arts Center, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. 7:30 p.m. Also Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m. $29 to $107. (714) 556-2787.