Going North

* Environment--The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History will host “Let’s Tide-Pool at the Museum: Sea Stars, Clams and Saltwater Critters” Friday at 7:30 p.m. at 2559 Puesta del Sol Road. 682-4711.

* Blues--The Santa Barbara Blues Society and Power Punch Productions will present “Blues Bash 2000” with Little Charlie and the Nightcats, Tom Ball and Kenny Sultan and the Paladins on Friday at Victoria Hall, 33 W. Victoria St. in Santa Barbara; doors open at 7:30 p.m. for an 8 p.m. start. Tickets, $22 general, are available at Folk Mote Music in Santa Barbara or Beat City Records in Ventura. 641-1372.

* Classical--The Santa Barbara Museum of Art will host the Penderecki String Quartet on Friday at 7:30 p.m. in the Mary Craig Auditorium, 1130 State St., Santa Barbara. The quartet has earned high praise from critics throughout Europe, North America and the Far East. It will perform Mozart’s Quartet in D minor, Ravel’s Quartet in C minor and Op. 51, No. 1. Tickets are $16 general, $12 museum members. 963-4364.

* Flowers--The 55th annual Santa Barbara International Orchid Show, themed “Orchid Odyssey 2000,” rolls into town Friday and continues to bloom throughout the weekend. On display will be hundreds of orchid species and more than 65 exhibitors with flowers, supplies, corsages, posters and pins on sale. Friday and Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Earl Warren Showgrounds Exhibit Building, Las Positas Road and Highway 101 in Santa Barbara. Tickets: $8 general; $6 students, seniors, advance and tour groups; under 12 free. 967-6331.

* Auction--The UCSB Women’s Center Art Gallery will hold a silent auction of art by local women, with all proceeds to benefit the UCSB Women’s Center Art Gallery. Viewing and bidding will begin April 3 and run through April 11 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Final bidding and a reception will be April 11, 4 to 7 p.m. at 4050 Calle Real, Santa Barbara. Free. 893-3778.

* Film--UCSB will host an evening of films from the Telluride Mountainfilm Tour on April 4 at 8 p.m. at Campbell Hall, 4050 Calle Real, Santa Barbara. The program is curated and introduced by Mountainfilm Director Rick Silverman. Several films will be screened, each highlighting a specific theme related to the environment. Tickets are $8 general, $6 students. 893-3533.