The Santa Barbara International Film Festival dominates the cultural scene for the next couple of weeks, but there are some other noteworthy happenings this weekend. For these and other events, check the Event Calendar at www.santa mariatimes.com.

THE QUEEN, THE MAN

The Film Festival honors two eminent actors this weekend at star-studded tributes that are expected to sell out 8 so check with the box office before you head down to the Arlington Theatre.

Dame Helen Mirren picked up two Golden Globes last week for portraying two queens: Queen Elizabeth I in a television movie and Elizabeth II in BThe Queen.C She?s the front-runner for a Best Actress Oscar. On Friday, she receives the Festival?s Outstanding Performance Award for BThe QueenC (7:30 p.m., ,64 general admission).

Will Smith is this year?s Modern Master Award recipient, the festival?s highest honor. It has been announced that his pal Tom Cruise will be in town Saturday night to present him with the award: No word about baby Suri or wife Katie. (7:30 p.m., ,74 general admission).

The Lobero is the box office for all Film Festival events: www.lobero.com or 963-0761, but also check the festival?s Web site, especially the blogs, which have the most up-to-date information.

Arlington Theatre, 1317 State St., 963-4408; www.sbfilmfestival.com.

LISTEN TO ITZHAK

There are few classical musicians more revered than violinist Itzhak Perlman. His humanity shines through in every perfectly played note, as does his considerable charm. He plays in an intimate recital at 4 p.m. Saturday at UCSB?s Campbell Hall. If you time it right, you can hear Itzhak play and then dash over to the Arlington in time to check for Tom and Will on the Red Carpet … Tickets: ,75, ,25 for students.

Campbell Hall, UCSB, 893-3535, www.artsandlectures.sa.ucsb.edu.

IT'LL BE A LONG NIGHT

Saturday could also be a BLongC night, given that country blues sensation John Long is playing a Santa Barbara Blues Society show, along with special guests Al Blake and Fred Kaplan of the Blue Flames. This is the Blues Society?s Member Appreciation show, and if you are a member, you get in free with one guest. Not a member? Become one on the spot at the door and get into the show with your guest. Memberships are very reasonable: ,20 per year or ,60 for a lifetime membership. A flashy Epiphone BLucilleC guitar, signed by many blues greats, will be auctioned to raise some green for their Blues for Youth program.

Earl Warren Showgrounds, 3400 Calle Real at Las Pasitas; 897-0060; www.sbblues.org.

AND A NIGHT OUT

The nice folks at the Ty Warner Sea Center has scheduled a Parents? Night Out beginning at 6 p.m. Saturday night. The kids will beg you to go out more often as they get a pizza party and a fun-filled evening checking out this amazing facility?s marine animals and hands-on science experiments. Sadly, it only goes until 8:30 p.m., so you?d have to cut short your time with Will or John … but it?s a good deal at ,25 for the first kid and ,20 for each additional kid (,5 discount for members). Ages 5 to 12.

Ty Warner Sea Center, 211 Stearns Wharf, 962-2526, Ext. 110; www.sbnature.org.

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