Plan Ahead: Next Weekend

Theater. The Occidental Theatre Festival kicks off its 39th season with Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town,” playing July 3, 5, 9-12, 16-18 at 8 p.m. at Occidental College, Hillside Amphitheater, 1600 Campus Road, Eagle Rock, $18. (213) 259-2922.

* Film. Spike and Mike’s 1998 Festival of Animation begins July 3 at the Nuart for one week. Highlights include the 1997 Oscar winner “Geri’s Game,” created by Pixar Studios. 11272 Santa Monica Blvd. Nightly: 5:15, 7:30, 9:45 p.m.; Friday, Saturday, Sunday matinees, 3 p.m. (310) 478-6379.

* Fourth of July. Many Southland communities--from Temecula to Huntington Beach to Alhambra to Catalina Island--are holding Fourth of July celebrations that will include parades, games, contests and fireworks displays. Call local city halls, visitors’ bureaus or chambers of commerce for information. (Or see the July 2 Calendar Weekend section.) Celebrations are also planned at other locations such as the Fairplex in Pomona and Cal State Northridge.