BEST BETS / December 20-26, 1998

Movies

“Stepmom” features Susan Sarandon (above, left, with Julia Roberts) in a domestic comedy-drama from director Chris Columbus about a family dealing with the fallout from a divorce. Ed Harris plays Sarandon’s ex-husband and Roberts’ current boyfriend. It opens in general release Friday.

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“A Civil Action,” based on the true-life book about an environmental lawsuit involving the death of children, stars John Travolta (above right, with Kathleen Quinlan as a client) and Robert Duvall as opposing attorneys. Directed by Steve Zaillian from his own script, the drama opens Friday in general release.

Radio

Actor-writer Sandra Tsing Loh, sex advice columnist Dan Savage, writers Sarah Vowell and David Rakoff, and host Ira Glass will perform in a live taping of public radio’s “This American Life,” today at UCLA’s Royce Hall. (It airs on KCRW [89.9FM] on Dec. 26 at 10 a.m. and Jan. 2 at 6 p.m.)

Dance

Two familiar stagings of “The Nutcracker” arrive this week and run through next Sunday. The Moscow Classical Ballet version opens Tuesday in Pasadena Civic Auditorium. The Joffrey Ballet of Chicago’s “Nut” opens Wednesday at Orange County Performing Arts Center. Deck the halls.

Family

It’s “Happily Ever After” for Mickey, Minnie and a whole passel of characters in “Disney on Ice,” where the spotlight is on Hercules (at right, hoisting Meg) as he battles baddies and captures the heart of his love. It opens on Christmas at the Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim.

Art

“Ancient West Mexico, Art of the Unknown Region,” opening today at the L.A. County Museum of Art, spotlights an area that recently has been recognized as a major cultural center from 200 BC to AD 800. More than 200 pieces of Mesoamerican pottery will be featured, including human figures and ceremonial objects.

Pop Music

The ninth annual Gimme Shelter benefit on Tuesday at the Roxy offers a lineup of singer-songwriters to raise funds for the homeless. This year’s roster includes Aimee Mann, Michael Penn, Keb’ Mo’, Toad the Wet Sprocket alumnus Glen Phillips and Pete Droge.

Video

Sean P. Hayes and Brad Rowe star in the charming independent film “Billy’s Hollywood Screen Test.” Hayes is a gay photographer who falls for a “straight” waiter and asks him to pose for a series of great Hollywood screen kiss photos. It comes to video stores Tuesday.

Jazz

There have been only a few major jazz vibraphonists: Lionel Hampton, Red Norvo, Milt Jackson, Cal Tjader, Terry Gibbs, Gary Burton and Bobby Hutcherson come quickly to mind. Eldad Tarmu, who can be seen Wednesday at Rocco and every Thursday at Cyrano, is an up-and-comer well worth hearing.