"I’ve information vegetable, animal and mineral,” sings the Major-General in “Pirates of Penzance.” Regarding this weekend in Santa Barbara, “I’ve information theatrical, operettical and ceramical.”

‘Pirates of Penzance’

“The Pirates of Penzance” is a delightful romp by Gilbert and Sullivan that features the unforgettable “patter song” (sort of a 19th century rap) by the “very model of a modern Major-General.”

Opera Santa Barbara presents a special one-hour adaptation for children at 5 p.m. Saturday, and 2 and 4:30 p.m. Sunday at the Lobero Theatre. It is fully-staged and costumed, sung by professional opera singers, and accompanied by a six-piece orchestra under the direction of maestro Valery Ryvkin.

Better still, it is free for children under 12 (one free children’s ticket for every paid adult ticket, $18, general admission). Irresistible! (963-0761, www.lobero.com)

‘Love’s Labours Lost’

Direct from London! Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre presents “Love’s Labours Lost” at 8 p.m. tonight and 2 and 8 p.m. tomorrow at the Granada Theatre, hosted by UCSB’s Arts & Lectures.

Directed by artistic director Dominic Dromgoole, this staging “mixes bare-faced cheek with bare-cheeked bottoms” (The Guardian, London), so be forewarned! Tickets range from $33 to $58. (893-3535, www.artsand lectures.ucsb.edu)

Master ceramicist

The Santa Barbara Museum of Art hosts a special pre-holiday show and sale of exquisite hand-thrown ceramics by Santa Barbara artist James Haggerty from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

This is part of their Master Artisan series, and all proceeds benefit the museum. Admission is free but be prepared to buy something — the museum store is a treasure-trove of unique gifts. (963-4364, www.sbma .net)

Clapton tribute

Alistair Greene is a bluesy, soulful, slide guitar player who has been a mainstay along the South Coast for several years. He plays tribute to Eric Clapton at 9 p.m. tonight at Soho Restaurant and Music Club ($8, upstairs at 1221 State).

“Clapton’s music is an integral part of the very fiber of rock and roll,” says Alistair. “His guitar playing has inspired thousands to pick up the instrument and play."  

Thank you, Eric Clapton, for inspiring Greene to play the guitar — he is a local treasure and a smokin’ hot player. (962-7776, www.sohosb .com)

ReStore workshop

Just in time for the holidays, Santa Barbara’s Habitat for Humanity “ReStore” hosts a free workshop on how to reuse items to make unexpected and creative gifts.

A door can become a headboard, and a sink become a whimsical planter. This is a great way to conserve natural resources, and save money.

The Creative Reuse Workshop is at 2 p.m. Saturday at 6725 Hollister Ave. in Goleta, between Glen Annie and Los Carneros. (692-2226, www.sb habitat.org)

Quick Tip:

Rod Piazza, a red-hot blues “harp” (harmonica) player, and his Mighty Flyers play on Saturday at the Earl Warren Showgrounds, presented by the Santa Barbara Blues Society. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. for the 8:30 p.m. show. Free Cajun food and a big dance floor. (722-8155, www.sbblues .org)

Julia McHugh can be reached at southon101column@yahoo.com.