What could be a better way to...

What could be a better way to beat the summer heat than spending an afternoon in Malibu? The 19th Annual Malibu Arts Festival will take place next Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Malibu Civic Center. The festival will include pancake breakfasts and displays of fine art, antique cars and photography. Local restaurants will showcase their wares in “A Taste of Malibu.” And there will be live jazz performances by such groups as Juggernaut and the Jake Porter Band. The Civic Center is at 23545 Civic Center Way, one block off Pacific Coast Highway between Cross Creek Road and Webb Way. Parking and admission are free. Information: (213) 456-9025.

No, the Obon is not one of those new, funky dances that’s storming the clubs of Los Angeles. In fact, Obon originated many hundreds of years ago from the legend of Moggallana in Japan.

As one of the Buddha’s disciples, Moggallana was endowed with superhuman sight. When he saw his mother suffering in the depths of hell, he sought the advice of the Buddha. The Buddha said that, if Moggallana gave offerings to 1,000 monks, his mother’s suffering would end. Moggallana complied and his mother was released from hell. Overcome with emotion, Moggallana and other disciples began to dance, and this “dance of joy” became the first obon dance.

Each year, festivals are held to celebrate the legend of Moggallana. The West Los Angeles Buddhist Church, located at 2003 Corinth Ave., will present a weekend gala of folk dancing and Japanese dishes.

The festival will be held on Saturday from 5 to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 3 to 9 p.m. Admission is free. Information: (213) 477-7274.