6 pm: Art

Marking the 10th anniversary of streetwise artist Jean-Michel Basquiat’s untimely death, the Gagosian Gallery is mounting a show of his early works, “Jean-Michel Basquiat: Paintings & Drawings 1980-1988.” Born in 1960, Basquiat moved from his father’s home to a life on the street at the age of 18. His early works, moving from public graffiti to oil on canvas, include symbols of automobiles, policemen, children’s sidewalk games and buildings, as well as death figures and masks.

* “Jean-Michel Basquiat: Paintings & Drawings 1980-1988,” Gagosian Gallery, 456 N. Camden Drive, Beverly Hills. Reception today, 6-8 p.m. Gallery hours 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays. Ends March 14. (310) 271-9400).

7:30 pm: Music

His versatility has made him the most recorded bass in operatic history, and it will be on display tonight when Samuel Ramey returns to Los Angeles for his first recital at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. On the agenda: Handel, Ravel and Verdi, and classic American songs by Stephen Foster, Paul Bowles and Cole Porter.

* Samuel Ramey, with pianist Warren Jones, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. $10-$60. (213) 365-3500.

8pm: Benefit

AIDS Project Los Angeles’ “Ten Year Commitment to Life” Gala honors four people for their commitment to the AIDS cause: entertainers Jim Carrey and Rosie O’Donnell; Joe Roth, chairman of Walt Disney Studios; and Ron Burkle, managing partner of the Yucaipa Co. and chairman of the board of Ralph’s Grocery Co. The event, which will be hosted by Jason Alexander and Jodie Foster, will be a retrospective of previous events celebrating a decade of support from the entertainment industry. Past honorees include Madonna, Barbra Streisand, Elton John, Tom Hanks, David Geffen, Elizabeth Taylor and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton. AIDS Project Los Angeles provides food, transportation, medical services and housing assistance to people living with AIDS.

* “Ten Year Commitment to Life” Gala, Universal Amphitheatre, 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City. $50-$1,000. (310) 201-5033, (213) 480-3232 or (818) 777-3931.