Culture and clowns: Benefits in Torrance and Manhattan Beach fill the bill.

Stars will rule the night while clowns take the day at two events this weekend to benefit young people.

Theater, music, comedy and dance fill tonight’s program for “Stars’ Night Out,” a fund-raiser for the Gardena-based Pacific American Ballet Theatre and its “ABC,D Program” to promote racial harmony at local schools.

The Ballet Theatre has adopted five schools for the outreach program, which uses dance to help teach cooperation, discipline and self-esteem while stimulating children’s desire to learn.

Ballet Theatre’s artistic director, Mariko,said the multiethnic, 16-member dance company has been promoting cultural unity among students since its founding in 1989. “Separatism is not going to help and (Ballet Theatre is) living proof of that,” she said. “If you have mutual understanding and respect . . . you will make it.”

The 2 1/2-hour variety show, subtitled “One World Share the Future,” features more than 20 numbers celebrating the arts and multiculturalism in the Southland.

The program will include songs from the Latina vocalists Las Tres, an original dramatic reading by American Indian actress Georgina Lightning and dance by members of the Pacific American Ballet Theatre.

Ballerina Cory-Jeanne Murakami and principal dancer Bret Bourman will perform a dramatic pas de deux called “Flames of Paris,” evoking a reunion of lovers on Bastille Day. Nine company members will take the stage in “Malaguena,” a steamy, classical Spanish dance number, Mariko said.

The show’s finale will feature musical medley by the legendary Mokihana, best known for her role as Bloody Mary in the film “South Pacific.”

“Her voice was never captured on film,” Mariko said.

For seven summers, Make*A*Circus has pitched its proverbial tent in Manhattan Beach to teach youngsters the ways of the Big Top while instilling heady lessons on safety, education, the environment and other issues.

The troupe’s acrobats, jugglers and clowns arrive Saturday to present a free Summer Festival Day sponsored by the city and local Target stores.

The circus day is divided into three parts, this time to teach the value of literacy. The troupe circus first struts its stuff, then shares the magic by training youngsters from the audience in circus skills. Finally, audience members use what they’ve learned and become part of the performance.

This year, the troupe will introduce the adventure of Max and Pits, two friends who use reading and imagination to unravel a mystery. Later, children from the audience will help perform a community show about an unusually perilous trip to the zoo, where reading skills could help save the heroes.

“The children learn by doing,” said Idris J. Al-Oboudi, Manhattan Beach recreation supervisor. “They become part of the show so when they repeat the same message . . . they are affirming it.”

Best of all, he said, “You get to run away with the circus without leaving town.”

What: Stars’ Night Out.

When: 7:30 tonight.

Where: James Armstrong Theatre, Torrance Cultural Arts Center, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance.

Admission: Tickets are $18, $25 and $30.

Information: Call (310) 515-3729.

What: Make*A*Circus

When: 2 p.m. Saturday.

Where: Polliwog Park, Redondo Avenue and Manhattan Beach Boulevard, Manhattan Beach.

Admission: Free.

Information: (310) 545 5621.