WEEK IN PREVIEW

MOVIES

Sandra Bullock stars in “Hope Floats” as a mother (to Mae Whitman, at right), deserted by her husband, who heads home to live with her mother (Gena Rowlands) in a small Texas town. Further complications develop involving a childhood friend (Harry Connick Jr.). The film opens in general release Friday.

MOVIES

With “The Last Days of Disco,” filmmaker Whit Stillman completes a trilogy of romantic comedies preceded by “Metropolitan” and “Barcelona.” Set during disco’s waning days in the early ‘80s, it stars Chloe Sevigny and Kate Beckinsale. The film opens Friday at selected theaters.

ART

An exhibition of three large-scale color photographs by influential photographer Lewis Baltz opens today at the Museum of Contemporary Art. Best known for his bleak landscapes of the 1970s and ‘80s, Baltz’s current work focuses on issues related to technology, globalism and the human body.

MUSIC

Pedro Ignacio Calderon conducts the National Symphonic Orchestra of Argentina on Thursday night at Pasadena Civic Auditorium, in a program including Manuel de Falla’s “Three-Cornered Hat,” Dvorak’s “New World” Symphony and the Guitar Concerto by Argentine-born American Lalo Schifrin.

THEATER

Latino satirists Richard Montoya, Ric Salinas and Herbert Siguenza, collectively known as Culture Clash, dig beneath San Diego’s sunny surface in the premiere of their comedy “Culture Clash in Bordertown,” based on interviews with area residents. The show opens Friday at San Diego Repertory Theatre.

POP MUSIC

Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and Lexus pitchman Eric Clapton is back on the charts with his new album “Pilgrim,” his first collection of original material since 1989. The legendary guitarist plays Wednesday at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood and Friday at the Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim.

JAZZ

With the death of Stephane Grappelli, it is quite possible that the lesser-known Johnny Frigo is the best living swing violinist. Now 82, Frigo actually spent much of his career as a bassist before switching back to his first instrument. He will be swinging standards at the Jazz Bakery this Monday.

VIDEO

Atom Egoyan received Oscar nominations for his direction and adapted screenplay of “The Sweet Hereafter,” a haunting drama of acceptance and grace based on Russell Bank’s novel. Ian Holm, Sarah Polley and Bruce Greenwood star. The Canadian film is scheduled for release Tuesday.

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Early Warning: The official Hollywood Bowl season begins July 7, as the Los Angeles Philharmonic performs under the baton of Sir Roger Norrington.