ENTERTAINMENT NEWS : Experimenting in the Art of Video : Works by 25 CSUN students will be presented. Elsewhere, actress-singer will emcee ‘Christmas in Song 1994.’

“Video Jam ‘94,” an exhibition of Cal State Northridge stu dent video art, will be presented Thursday in CSUN’s Little Theater. These are the works of students in the school’s fine arts department, not its radio / television / film department. The art students’ work is done with a different orientation, says Jack Riley, instructor of the video arts classes.

“These works represent an experimental approach to the video medium, in contrast to regular TV. These works are personal artistic statements,” Riley says. “These artists are completely free.

“Some of it is really outrageous,” Riley adds, recommending viewer discretion.

The work of about 25 video artists will be presented. Featured works include computer animation and music videos, in addition to personal and political narratives.

Jessica Vitale, a CSUN Arts Council scholarship winner last year for her work in computer animation, will present another computer animated project, “Andy & Rufus.” Andrew White’s “Whiskey Wisdom” combines crayon drawings with computer animation, and John Ledell’s “Project Molecular Change” combines computer animation and live action. Louis Posen’s music video, “1-2-3-Slam,” will also be screened.

Video Jam ’94 will be presented from 8 to 9 p.m. Thursday in the CSUN Little Theatre in the Speech Drama Building, 18111 Nordhoff St. A reception that will precede the screenings at 7:30 p.m. will include a live interactive video presentation and refreshments. Admission is $2. Call (818) 885-2242.

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CELEBRITY MUSIC-MAKING: Many churches and temples are busy presenting holiday music programs, but Metropolitan Community Church in the Valley stands out. Actress and singer Edie Adams will emcee its Yuletide event, “Christmas in Song 1994.”

Steven Applegate, the church’s director of music, says this annual concert, which was hosted last year by actress Sandy Duncan, has become a tradition for many Valley residents.

“People come to get in the mood for the holiday season,” Applegate says. “Our audiences have grown from about 300 to 600 people just by word of mouth. We (the church) only have a membership of 125.”

Adams, a graduate of the Juilliard School of Music and Columbia School of Drama, first gained popularity on “The Ernie Kovacs Show” on television in the early 1950s. In 1955, she married Kovacs, who died in 1962. She won a Tony for her Broadway performance as Daisy Mae in the musical “Li’l Abner” in 1956 and had her own network television show, “Here’s Edie,” in the early 1960s. Her numerous other credits include the films “It’s a Mad Mad Mad Mad World,” “The Apartment” and “Under the Yum Yum Tree.”

Applegate says the program--which is being held this year at the Church of the Valley in Van Nuys--is produced by his church as part of its outreach program to the community. It will feature about 100 performers doing sacred and secular holiday material.

“Christmas in Song 1994” will be presented at 5 and 8 p.m. Saturday in the Church of the Valley, 14602 Kittridge Ave., Van Nuys. Tickets are $10. Call (818) 762-1133.

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MORE MOVIES: Entering the busy holiday season, Valley movie-goers will have a larger menu of choices.

In the last month, one new film complex, the Mann 9 in Granada Hills, at 16850 Devonshire St., (818) 363-7298, opened and another, the Pacific’s Northridge Cinemas, 19401 Parthenia St., (818) 993-1711, expanded from six to 10 screens.

The Northridge venue boasts state-of-the art sound and projection systems in all auditoriums, plus access for the handicapped and special aids for the hearing-impaired. Additionally, both the box office and snack bar are able to make credit and bank card transactions.

Pacific Theatres plans to open an additional 18-screen megaplex in Woodland Hills in 1995.

The Granada Hills complex also offers state-of-the-art projection and sound equipment, access for the handicapped and hearing aids.

Its concession bay is able to conduct both ticket and refreshment sales.

Additionally, a walk-up movie ticket ATM is in the lobby. Also in the lobby is an electronic patron information system that provides customers with information on show times, minutes remaining before upcoming shows and seating availability.