A Calendar of Best Bets : THURSDAY

A dream lineup of Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell and Van Morrison--three legendary singer-songwriters from the 1960s and ‘70s--teams up at UCLA’s Pauley Pavilion. Also May 22 at Pauley Pavilion and at the Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim May 23.

Some of country music’s heavy hitters come together at the Empire Polo Grounds in Indio for this four-day festival. Among the artists scheduled to appear at the “Amerifest Big Gig” are LeAnn Rimes, Randy Travis, Chris LeDoux and Billy Ray Cyrus. Through May 24.

FRIDAY

A renovated Tomorrowland opens at Disneyland with a futurist environment, including the towering Astro Orbitor and Rocket Rods, the park’s newest thrill ride. Guests can also experience a high-tech 3-D film presentation of “Honey, I Shrunk the Audience.”

“Wild Weekends” at the Los Angeles Zoo. Kids will be able to meet zoo mascot “Chimpy” and more than 1,200 wild animals. They will also be entertained by the Porter Puppets in the Eucalyptus Grove and be able to meet the animal keepers. Wild Weekend activities are free with paid admission to the zoo. Every weekend through June.

Youngsters can dress up in costumes to become their favorite circus characters and, using props, perform before a live audience at the “Backyard Circus,” at Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier.

Fern Street Circus begins its annual show in San Diego’s Balboa Park. In this single-ring theatrical circus, kids can visit Cafe Cornelius, where the food walks. Through May 31.

SATURDAY

Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park launches “Edison International Electric Nights,” the park’s new multimedia laser show, with pyrotechnics, giant projected images, music and special water effects on a 5,000-square-foot water screen.

The quirky and adventurous Bjork appears center stage at the Hollywood Palladium. The Icelandic singer’s latest alternative rock album, 1997’s “Homogenic,” was critically acclaimed.

Popular recording artists perform in a new spring family concert with special pricing under the “Family Pass” entertainment series at Universal Studios Hollywood. Through June 21.

More than 200 local artists and children paint the town with chalk for Santa Barbara’s I Madonnari Festival. There will also be an Italian market and entertainment. Old Mission Santa Barbara. Also Sunday and Monday. (805) 569-3873.

Three days of great jazz from the Playboy Jazz Festival, arts and crafts, “A Taste of Pasadena” food festival and children’s activities fill Central Park for Pasadena’s Summer Fest. Through Monday. (626) 797-6803.

WEDNESDAY

Eric Clapton will perform some of his classic material as well as new songs when he appears at the Great Western Forum. Slowhand’s current album is titled “Pilgrim.” Also at the Arrowhead Pond May 29.

THURSDAY, MAY 28

Alternative rock gods Sonic Youth return to Los Angeles for three shows at the El Rey Theatre. Through May 30.

FRIDAY, MAY 29

Culture Clash, the Latino satiric trio--Richard Montoya, Ric Salinas and Herbert Siguenza--premieres “Bordertown,” based on true stories from San Diego residents. At San Diego Repertory’s Lyceum through June 28.

An expensive Manhattan loft apartment is the setting for the premiere of “Hurrah at Last,” Richard Greenberg’s play about a struggling writer and the intimate nature of money among friends and family. At South Coast Repertory through June 28.

Noted local playwright Justin Tanner, the Cast Theatre’s king of comedies, debuts his latest, “Coyote Woman,” about a woman whose life changes after a coyote scratches her in Griffith Park. Ends July 15.

Ojai Festival in Festival Bowl, Ojai. Pianist Mitsuko Uchida is music director; David Zinman conducts; the L.A. Philharmonic appears. Uchida and the Brentano String Quartet begin the festival May 29 at 8:15. Among subsequent events is an appearance by the Philharmonic’s New Music Group, May 30 at 3:30 p.m. That evening, Uchida and Ignat Solzhenitsyn present “A Schubertiade for Two Pianists.” The festival closes May 31 at 5:30 p.m., when Uchida plays concertos by Mozart and Beethoven with the Philharmonic.

SATURDAY, MAY 30

The Long Beach Cajun and Zydeco Festival heats things up with the sounds of Terrance Simien, Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys, the Zydeco Bone Shakers and others. Also on tap: Cajun and Creole cuisine; dance workshops in the Cajun two-step, waltz, zydeco jitterbug and the Harlem shuffle; and a Mardi Gras parade daily. Rainbow Lagoon. Through May 31. (562) 427-3713.

The nonet of guitarist-composer Anthony Wilson headlines a free concert outdoors at the Music Center as part of the Playboy Jazz Festival’s community concert series. Keyboardist-producer Todd Cochran and the Thelonious Monk Institute Student Band are also on the bill.

Ninth annual Kid’s Nature Festival & Concert at Temescal Gateway Park, Pacific Palisades. Kids from 1 to 8 can meet a monkey, crawl through a mole maze and dance and wiggle to the music of the Sunshine Band.

SeaWorld begins its new Rockin’ Summer Nights with extended park hours, new shows and more animals. The fun begins when the sun goes down, with Shamu the killer whale and his friends performing and the crowds invited to participate in the party by singing and dancing and playing interactive games. Through Sept. 7.

SUNDAY, MAY 31

Avaz International Dance Theatre surveys the traditions of the Middle East and Central Asia at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre.

MONDAY, JUNE 1

Sidney Poitier, Danny Glover, Alfre Woodard and Brock Peters will appear in “A Tribute to Paul Robeson,” the Robey Theatre Company’s centennial celebration of Paul Robeson on June 1 at 8 p.m. at Actors’ Gang Theatre in Hollywood.

Hosted by Glover, the theatrical event will benefit the Paul Robeson Scholarship Fund, administered through the Paul Robeson Cultural Center at Rutgers University.

TUESDAY, JUNE 2

The leading tenor saxophonist of our time, Joe Henderson, moves into Catalina Bar & Grill in Hollywood for a six-day run.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3

“All in the Timing,” David Ives’ collection of six short screwball comedies--Philip Glass buying bread, chimpanzees’ attempt to write “Hamlet,” for example--ends the Geffen Playhouse’s 1997-98 season. Runs through June 28.

THURSDAY, JUNE 4

Vibraphonist Milt Jackson, who brought the blues to the chamber jazz of the Modern Jazz Quartet, joins the Clayton Hamilton Jazz Orchestra led by bassist-composer John Clayton, with saxophonist Jeff Clayton and drummer Jeff Hamilton at the Jazz Bakery in West Los Angeles

From John Coltrane to the New York Philharmonic, bassist Art Davis has played with them all. He kicks off the free Thursday jazz series at MOCA with equally distinguished drummer Billy Higgins and pianist Horace Tapscott.

Oversized fruits and vegetable exhibits, pig races, rodeo events, a carnival, arts and crafts and an international food court are among the attractions at the San Fernando Valley Fair at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center. Through June 7. (818) 557-1600.

Kathy Buddey’s award-winning solo show, “Don’t Buck With Me,” a comic chronicle of her real-life challenges and misadventures returns to the Tiffany Theater. Ends June 28.

SATURDAY, JUNE 6

Follow the silk road to Cairo Carnivale. The Bedouin bazaar will include Middle Eastern dance, exotic wares for sale, Egyptian cabaret stage acts, gypsies, clowns, magicians, jugglers and plenty of food from the entire Mediterranean area. At the Campus Inn, Rio Hondo College, Whittier. Through June 7. (626) 285-4776.

“The Nutty Detective” is Pacific Symphony Orchestra’s family concert theme, and it features selections from Warren’s “Chattanooga Choo Choo,” Rossini’s “La Gazza Ladra” and Shostakovich’s Fifth Symphony. At the Orange County Performing Arts Center.

SUNDAY, JUNE 7

Los Feliz is unofficially the “in” neighborhood, so what could be more happening than the Los Feliz Village Street Fair? Offerings include live music from Bobby Matos and his Afro-Cuban Jazz Ensemble, jazz singer Dahle Scott with guitarist Larry Feldman, pianist Roy Alexander and Daryl Thomas on drums, food from local restaurants Farfalla, Fred 62 and La Conversation, carnival games and raffles. Hillhurst Avenue between Franklin and Finley avenues, Los Angeles. (213) 662-1214.

Ballet Nacional de Colombia surveys Latino folklore at the Universal Amphitheatre.

An exhibition composed of broadsides, vintage and modern recordings, photographs, posters, musical instruments and other memorabilia examines the development of the corrido -- a ballad commemorating a poignant moment in time -- in “Corridos Sin Fronteras: The Art of a Ballad Tradition in Mexico and the U.S” at UCLA’s Fowler Museum of Cultural History through Sept. 7.

MONDAY, JUNE 8

German electronic music pioneers Kraftwerk reappear to celebrate the ‘90s techno revolution. The band, which released its first album in the early ‘70s, will rev up its synthesizers at the Hollywood Palladium.

TUESDAY, JUNE 9

Kirov ballerina Altynai Asylmuratova appears in Roland Petit’s “Chaplin Dances” (Charlot Danse Avec Nous) with the Ballet National de Marseille at the Orange County Performing Arts Center. Ends June 14.

THURSDAY, JUNE 11

Strike Two: Collage Dance Theatre is sent back to the slammer in a revival of its site-specific extravaganza “Most Wanted” at Lincoln Heights Jail. Also June 12 to 14.

“California Cool: Celebrating Jazz on the West Coast” is a four-day festival of West Coast Jazz, held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Redondo Beach. Highlights include Bill Perkins and Jack Montrose leading groups in original charts from the ‘50s.

FRIDAY, JUNE 12

The acclaimed We Tell Stories children’s theater troupe presents “In the Village of Liver-and-Onions,” by Carl Sandburg, at the Robert Frost Auditorium in Culver City. Also June 13.

SATURDAY, JUNE 13

Long Beach Opera June Festival at Carpenter Center at Cal State Long Beach: On June 13: Manfred Gurlitt’s (not Alban Berg’s) “Wozzeck,” repeated June 17 and June 20 (matinee). On June 14: Purcell’s “The Indian Queen,” repeated June 20 (evening).

The two-day Playboy Jazz Festival kicks off with performances from Wynton Marsalis, Al Jarreau, King Sunny Ade and others and continues Sunday with Fourplay, Pete Fountain, the Louie Bellson Big Band and Cuban dance band Los Van Van.

Celebrate Juneteenth at the Autry Museum of Western Heritage, featuring a dramatic reading of the Emancipation Proclamation, a gospel choir, a discussion of the history of African Americans in the West and a children’s rhythm class.

Scenic pieces used as backdrops for portraits reflect the cultural meaning behind the photographs in “From the Background to the Foreground: the Photo Backdrop and Cultural Expression.” The exhibition will include backdrops, photographs, photo albums and various props and objects. At the UC Riverside-California Museum of Photography through Aug. 16.

TUESDAY, JUNE 16

Thoroughly modern, technically adept saxophonist Michael Brecker opens a six-day run with his combo at Catalina Bar & Grill in Hollywood.

One of San Diego County’s largest events, the Del Mar Fair, will feature more than 80,000 exhibits; flower, garden, gem and hobby shows; rides; livestock displays; contests; entertainment; and more. Through July 5 at the Del Mar County Fairgrounds. (619) 755-1161.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17

UC Santa Barbara’s New Music Festival, masterminded by William Kraft, this year is named “Film Composers: the Whole Picture” and hosts Elmer Bernstein, David Raksin, Lawrence Rosenthal, Stephen Endelman, Leonard Rosenman and Cliff Eidelman. Through June 20.

TUESDAY, JUNE 23

Luis Bravo’s “Forever Tango” opens at the Orange County Performing Arts Center, running through the June 28. This Argentine music and dance cavalcade moves to Royce Hall, UCLA, from June 30 to July 12.

The saucy Aussies of “Tap Dogs” turn up in the Long Beach Terrace Theater. Ends June 28.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24

Tribute to former L.A. Philharmonic managing director Ernest Fleischmann at Hollywood Bowl. Among the celebrants: Kathleen Battle, Itzhak Perlman, Harry Connick Jr.

FRIDAY, JUNE 26

King of the Blues B.B. King kicks off the Taste of Orange County Festival, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. Besides gorging on food from 30 of Orange County’s finest restaurants, visitors can indulge in more than 40 concerts, cooking demonstrations, nonstop comedy from Improv comedy showcase and children’s activities presented by Radio Disney. El Toro Air Station. Through June 28. (714) 726-3736.

SATURDAY, JUNE 27

West Hollywood becomes Christopher Street West for the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Pride Celebration and Festival. The two-day event offers three entertainment stages featuring a disco dance area, country-western area and a main stage featuring continuous live entertainment. More than 250 vendors will attend selling everything from T-shirts to exotic foods. West Hollywood Park. Through June 28. (213) 860-0701.

The Greek Theatre welcomes salsa star Marc Anthony.

The all-women “Lilith Fair” returns for a second tour. The Rose Bowl will host this year’s Los Angeles area show, which will feature “Lilith” founder Sarah McLachlan, Natalie Merchant, Sheryl Crow, the Indigo Girls, Shawn Colvin and others.

“Cowboy Campout” is a sleepover for kids ages 5 and up at William S. Hart Park in Newhall. Youngsters can take a night hike and meet the animals that call the ranch home. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

“New California Art: Brett Relchman” is the first installment in an annual series at the Orange County Museum of Art designed to highlight emerging California artists. Relchman’s paintings of toys, cartoon characters and childhood effigies will be on view through Oct. 4.

Claude Monet’s beloved Giverny gardens come to life in “Monet: Paintings of Giverny from the Musee Marmottan,” an exhibition of Impressionist paintings created between 1901 and 1926. At San Diego Museum of Art through Aug. 30.

SUNDAY, JUNE 28

Artists Kim Abeles, James Doolin, Lauren Richardson and others examine the structure, design and use of Southern California urban public spaces in “A Place in the Sun: Artists and L.A. Public Spaces.” At the Armory Center for the Arts through Sept. 13.

MONDAY, JUNE 29

Innovative and sophisticated movie-making techniques will be unveiled when “Small Soldier--Behind the Scenes Experience” opens at Universal Studios in Universal City. The event is inspired by the movie “Small Soldiers,” schedule for release July 10.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 1

Greek Theatre-bound Michael Bolton and Wynonna are two of this summer’s more unlikely co-headliners. Bolton is the king of overstated pop ballads; Wynonna is country-rooted, though also very capable of delivering blues, folk and rock. Also July 3 at the Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim.

THURSDAY, JULY 2

Two flamboyantly sexual singers from yesteryear join forces when Tom Jones and Little Richard hit the Greek Theatre.

FRIDAY, JULY 3

Composer-arranger-pianist Toshiko Akiyoshi is best know as the leader of the Toshiko Akiyoshi Jazz Orchestra. But here she’ll concentrate on the keyboard as she leads a trio with special guest saxophonist Gary Foster during a three-night run at the Jazz Bakery.

SATURDAY, JULY 4

Hard-rock veterans Van Halen celebrate America’s birthday as well as the arrival of new singer Gary Cherone at the Glen Helen Blockbuster Pavilion.

Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park introduces its newest thrill ride, Supreme Scream. Riders are propelled 252 feet straight up in the air, then dropped down at a speed of more than 50 mph.

There will be plenty of sonic fireworks on display when X, Social Distortion and the Rev. Horton Heat headline this year’s Hootanny bash at Oak Canyon Ranch in Irvine.

SUNDAY, JULY 5

Summer Nights at the Ford’s “Family Fun” series of daytime performances, featuring music, dance and theater, begins at the John Anson Ford Theatre.

The International Ramayana Festival in the Carpenter Performing Arts Center at Cal State Long Beach features dance groups representing Thailand, Cambodia, India and Indonesia.

MONDAY, JULY 6

“Open House at the Bowl: A Festival of Arts for Children” begins at the Hollywood Bowl. It features a changing bill of multicultural performances, arts and crafts, weekdays through Aug. 14.

TUESDAY, JULY 7

“Chicago--The Musical” moves from the Ahmanson Theatre to the Shubert Theatre through Aug. 2. Also opens at the Orange County Performing Arts Center, ending July 12.

Opening night of the 77th annual summer season at the Hollywood Bowl in Cahuenga Pass features Roger Norrington conducting the L.A. Philharmonic; Janice Chandler, soprano; Anna Larsson, contralto and the L.A. Master Chorale. Mahler: Symphony No. 2 (“Resurrection”). 8:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 8

The Festival of the Arts and Pageant of the Masters exhibits art by more than 160 artists and craftspeople. The pageant recreates classical and contemporary artworks in the most unusual ways: with live models, music and narration. Through Aug. 30 at Irvine Bowl Park in Laguna Beach. (800) 487-3378.

THURSDAY, JULY 9

The comical “Sleeping Beauty & the 7 Samurai” is presented by Children’s Theater Project as part of the Occidental Theater Festival at Occidental College’s outdoor Hillside Theater. Ends Aug. 22.

Doug Elkins Dance Company performs at the Lobero Theatre in Santa Barbara as part of the “Summerdance” series.

FRIDAY, JULY 10

Diavolo Dance Theatre premieres “Apex,” “Capture” and “Trajectoire” on a rep program at the Watercourt in California Plaza, downtown. Also July 11.

“In the Pink: A Tribute to Fiber Arts, Fuschia and Fun.” That’s the theme for this year’s Orange County Fair, which promises to be bigger than ever with a plethora of pink judgings, promos, entertainment and activities, along with traditional fair attractions including concerts, a youth expo, agricultural exhibitions and equestrian events. Some theme contests in the works are a pink lady hairdo contest and pink pong matches. Through July 26 at the Orange County Fairgrounds. (714) 708-3247.

Conducted by Lucinda Carver, the L.A. Mozart Orchestra presents Mozart’s “Abduction from the Seraglio” at the Ford Amphitheatre.

SATURDAY, JULY 11

Shakespeare Festival/LA always has something unusual in store for its outdoor summer audiences. This time the tragic “Julius Caesar” will be performed on the steps of Los Angeles City Hall through July 19, then at South Coast Botanical Garden in Palos Verdes July 23 through Aug. 2.

“The Cider House Rules,” John Irving’s 1985 bestseller, becomes a sweeping two-part stage epic, adapted by Peter Parnell and conceived and directed by Tom Hulce and Jane Jones. At the Mark Taper Forum through Sept. 27.

SUNDAY, JULY 12

Modernist Victoria Marks presents recent film and choreography in the Watercourt at California Plaza, downtown.

The much-acclaimed Takacs Quartet opens the Ford Amphitheatre’s Brunch series at 10:30 a.m.

“Peter Alsop’s 1998 Kids Koncerts,” featuring some of the top children’s music recording artists and performers, begins. Bill changes weekly. At Theatricum Botanicum through Sept. 20.

Acclaimed South African playwright Athol Fugard plays a leading role in the West Coast premiere of his newest work, “The Captain’s Tiger,” at the La Jolla Playhouse in the Mandell Weiss Theatre. Ends Aug. 9.

MONDAY, JULY 13

Pearl Jam makes its highly anticipated return to the Los Angeles stage when it performs at the Great Western Forum. Also July 14.

TUESDAY, JULY 14

The British percussion extravaganza “Stomp” returns to the Southland in performances at Royce Hall on the UCLA campus. Ends Aug. 2.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 15

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus opens at the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center. Through July 19.

American pianist Garrick Ohlsson plays a Chopin recital at Hollywood Bowl.

Chay Yew directs “Big Hunk o’ Burnin’ Love,” a screwball comedy by Prince Gomolvilas about a Thai American man who must marry by his 30th birthday to avoid a family curse. At East West Players through Aug. 2.

FRIDAY, JULY 17

The annual Dance Kaleidoscope series opens in the Luckman Theatre at Cal State L.A. with “Looking Forward, Looking Back” and, the next night, “Dance Here.”

SUNDAY, JULY 19

Noel Coward’s witty comedy, “Present Laughter,” about a vain actor trying to sidestep complications after being caught in a compromising situation, opens at the Pasadena Playhouse. Ends Aug. 23.

The first major one-person survey devoted to Christopher Wool will be mounted at the Museum of Contemporary Art. Represented works include all-over pattern paintings, stencilled word-text works, stamped images and silk-screened, over-painted and spray-painted works. Through Oct. 18.

TUESDAY, JULY 21

An exhibition of 115 rare sculptures and objects excavated from the tomb of the First Emperor of China will be included in “Eternal China: Splendors From the First Dynasties” at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art. The exhibit will feature the largest group of life-size terra cotta figures ever to enter the United States as well as objects in gold, silver, bronze, jade and stone. Through Oct. 18.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 22

Can Rosie swing? You bet. Rosemary Clooney sings with the Count Basie Orchestra at the Hollywood Bowl in a program that includes two New Orleans bands: the Preservation Hall Jazz Society and the Dirty Dozen.

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus opens at the Los Angeles Sports Arena. Through July 26.

Ian McKellen headlines in the Royal National Theatre production of Ibsen’s “An Enemy of the People,” in a new version by Christopher Hampton, directed by Trevor Nunn. At the Ahmanson Theatre through Sept. 6.

THURSDAY, JULY 23

Doug Varone and Dancers appear at the Lobero Theatre in Santa Barbara as part of the “Summerdance” series.

FRIDAY, JULY 24

The Dance Kaleidoscope series moves to the Japan America Theatre for “Dance There” and then concludes on July 25 in the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre with “Crazy for Dance” in the morning and “In and Out of Traditions” in the evening.

SUNDAY, JULY 26

“Rhapsodies in Black: Art of the Harlem Renaissance,” a multimedia exhibition devoted to Harlem’s Jazz Age, will include paintings, sculpture, graphics, photography and rare film and sound recordings. At the Los Angeles County Museum of Art through Oct. 19.

TUESDAY, JULY 28

Pianist Jon Nakamatsu plays Rachmaninoff’s Second Concerto with the L.A. Philharmonic in Hollywood Bowl; Marin Alsop conducts Shostakovich’s Fifth Symphony. A month later (Aug. 29), Nakamatsu will play the same work with the Pacific Symphony and conductor Carl St. Clair at Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre.

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus opens at the Arrowhead Pond, Anaheim. Through Aug. 4

More than 100 photographs of New York City will be displayed in “Walker Evans: New York” at the J. Paul Getty Museum. This survey by the photographer best known for his brilliant black and white Depression-era works will focus on the city’s skyscrapers, signs, street vendors, graffiti, subway and street life. Ends Oct. 11.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 29

Gidon Kremer brings his chamber ensemble, Kremerata Baltica, to Hollywood Bowl in an accessible program including Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons” and tangos by Astor Piazzolla.

THURSDAY, JULY 30

Lucie Arnaz stars in a special concert staging of Leonard Bernstein’s “Wonderful Town,” with lyrics by Comden and Green. The co-production with Reprise! Broadway’s Best in Concert series is at Orange County Performing Arts Center through Aug. 2.

About 70 works by American painter Arthur Dove will be included in “Arthur Dove: a Retrospective,” at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. The exhibition will include early abstract paintings, little-known charcoals and pastels, collages and the mature abstractions of his later life. Through Oct. 5.

FRIDAY, JULY 31

The enterprising Feet Speak series in the Keck Theater at Occidental College kicks off with European modernism courtesy of the group Premier Cru. Also Aug. 1. The series continues with “Working Women.” (Aug. 7 and 8), “Men” (Aug. 14 and 15) and “Percussion Jam.” (Aug. 21 and 22).

“Tchaikovsky Spectacular” at Hollywood Bowl: Eri Klas conducts; soloist in the B-flat-minor Concerto is Russian pianist Natalia Troull. Also Aug. 1.

SATURDAY, AUG.1

The JazzAntiqua Dance and Music Ensemble premieres “In Shadow and Light” and “Beneath the Blues” at the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre in Hollywood.

SUNDAY, AUG. 2

The B-52’s and the Pretenders--two ‘80s new wave rock favorites--join forces at Irvine Meadow’s Amphitheatre. Also at the Universal Amphitheatre Aug. 4 and 5.

TUESDAY, AUG. 4

Cathy Rigby is flying high in “Peter Pan,” as the critically acclaimed McCoy Rigby Entertainment production of the James M. Barrie classic returns at the Pantages Theatre. Ends Aug. 16.

THURSDAY, AUG. 6

Two of the jazz world’s most promising musicians, saxophonist Robert Stewart and trumpeter Marcus Printup, both members of Wynton Marsalis’ Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, team at a free MOCA concert.

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus opens at the Great Western Forum. Through Aug. 9

FRIDAY, AUG. 7

The Jazz Tap Ensemble celebrates its 20th anniversary at the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre.

Outdoors, on the Beckman Lawn at Caltech, the Pasadena Symphony, led by Jorge Mester, plays a Tchaikovsky program; charismatic Russian musician Dmitri Ratser is soloist in the Piano Concerto No. 1. Continues Aug. 8.

Singer Nancy Wilson will lend an air of sophistication to the three-day Long Beach Jazz Festival, held at the city’s Rainbow Park Lagoon. Trumpeter Arturo Sandoval, bassist Stan Clarke and smooth jazz vocalist Michael Franks are also on the fusion-minded bill.

TUESDAY, AUG. 11

Esa-Pekka Salonen returns to Hollywood Bowl, leading the L.A. Philharmonic in a Strauss and Bruckner program, with soprano Gundula Janowitz the soloist.

SATURDAY, AUG. 15

KIN Dance Company and others present “Men: Dancing” at the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre in Hollywood.

Where else but at the Tofu Festival can you sample a tofu chocolate mousse? But there’s more than tofu at the 58th Nisei Week Japanese Festival. Events include a parade, carnival with food and game booths, fashion show, martial arts display, karaoke, taiko and ondo performances, arts and crafts activities, including dollmaking, brush painting, calligraphy, ceramics and more. Through Aug. 23 in Little Tokyo. Tofu Festival, Aug. 15 and 16. (213) 687-7193.

England’s much-hyped Spice Girls bring their splashy, gyrating world to the Great Western Forum.

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 19

Oscar’s back! Respected pianist Oscar Peterson makes his first Los Angeles appearance in six years when he plays the Hollywood Bowl in a program that includes vocal-piano sensation Diana Krall.

The 13th Annual Los Angeles African Marketplace and Cultural Faire is a 10-acre global village that will feature more than 40 cultures from 70 countries with more than 350 hours of live entertainment and 300 arts and crafts vendors. Additional highlights are the Village Gourd & Food Festival, celebrity games and a homeland soccer tournament, the children’s village and the African Business Expo. Weekends through Sept. 7 in Rancho Cienega Park. (213) 734-1164 or (213) 237-1540.

The complex relationship between the United States and the Philippines is examined through photographs in “Confrontations, Crossings and Convergence: Photographs of the Philippines and the United States, 1898-1998,” at the UCLA-Fowler Museum of Cultural History through Jan. 3.

Japanese paintings and prints by an American artist born and raised in Japan composes “Lillian Miller Woodblock Prints” at the Pacific Asia Museum through Jan. 3.

THURSDAY, Aug. 20

Janet Jackson dances and sings the night away at the Great Western Forum. Also Aug. 21 at the Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim.

SATURDAY, AUG. 22

The Lula Washington Dance Theatre premieres “Mahal Dances” as part of a rep program at the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre in Hollywood.

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 26

Michael Flatley’s “Lord of the Dance” plays the Greek Theatre without Michael Flatley. Ends Aug. 28.

FRIDAY, SEPT. 4

Maria Bermudez’s “Sonidos Gitanos/Gypsy Flamenco” returns to the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre in Hollywood. Ends Sept. 6.

The West Coast Jazz Party, in true improvisational spirit, brings a host of musicans together in informal jam sessions over a period of three days at the Irvine Marriott Hotel.

SUNDAY, SEPT. 6

Wagnerian soprano Jane Eaglen sings operatic arias from Hollywood films, with John Mauceri and the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, at the Hollywood Bowl.

“Picasso: Masterworks from the Museum of Modern Art,” an exhibition of about 90 paintings, drawings, sculptures, collages and prints by the 20th century master, closes the summer season at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. The comprehensive collection will be on view through Jan. 4.