Best Bets: Saturday 11/14

8 pm: Theater

In “Ali,” Geoffrey C. Ewing re-creates his Obie Award-winning role as boxing legend Muhammad Ali in the solo drama by Graydon Royce and Ewing.

* Ali, Odyssey Theatre Ensemble, 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., West L.A., (310) 477-2055. Wednesdays-Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 7 p.m., except Dec. 13, Jan. 10, 2 p.m. only. Dark Dec. 23-29. $18.50-$22.50; opening, $25.

7 pm: Book Festival

People of the Book, the Jewish books festival, returns to Los Angeles for its second year, featuring readings and talks by writers including Thomas Cahill (“The Gifts of the Jews”), Rich Cohen (“Tough Jews”) and radio personality Laura Schlessinger (“The Ten Commandments: What’s in It for Me?”). Saturday’s reception features Dvorah Telushkin and his book “Master of Dreams: Anecdotes and Tales of Isaac Bashevis Singer.” Other programs throughout the week include storytelling for children, food programs and a poetry reading featuring Rabbi Harold Schulweis.

* People of the Book. Reception Saturday, 7 p.m., at the West Valley Jewish Community Center, 22622 Vanowen St., West Hills. Other events throughout the week at various venues. Festival hotline: (818) 464-3353.

9:30 pm: Pop Music

Imagine Edith Piaf singing in Spanish and you have an idea of the soulful sound of Lila Downs, the bicultural chanteuse who performs everything from traditional Mexican music to blues and jazz.

Lila Downs, LunaPark, 665 N. Robertson Blvd., West Hollywood. $12. (310) 652-0611.

2:30 pm: Family

The historic Bob Baker Marionette Theatre brings back its traditional annual “Holiday Spectacular,” a glittering musical romp starring Santa, the elves, Mr. Hanukkah, Rudolph and a host of other captivating puppets of all sizes paying tribute to the winter holidays.

* “Holiday Spectacular 1998,” Bob Baker Marionette Theatre, 1345 W. 1st St., Los Angeles, Tuesdays-Fridays, 10:30 a.m.; Saturdays-Sundays, 2:30 p.m. (Monday shows at 10:30 a.m. during December only.) $10, adults and children; $8, seniors; under age 2, free. Birthdays celebrated. Reservations required. (213) 250-9995.

2 pm: Theater

“Fiesta de Artistas de Los Angeles” is a free two-day festival celebrating Latino contributions to the arts. Presented by the Relentless Theatre Company, Teatro Vista and the Wall-Las Memorias, it will feature music, food and readings of plays by noted playwrights Rick Najera, Jose Rivera, Monica Palacios, Edwin Sanchez and Federico Garcia Lorca.

* “Fiesta de Artistas de Los Angeles,” Wall-Las Memorias, 111 N. Avenue 56, Highland Park, Saturday and Sunday, 2-9 p.m.; play readings, Saturday, 3, 5 and 7 p.m.; Sunday, 3 and 7 p.m. Free. First come, first served; tickets available a half-hour before each performance. (323) 665-5606.

8 pm: Music

Still controversial, still beloved, celebrated American soprano Kathleen Battle returns to the refurbished Royce Hall at UCLA in recital with her new pianist, Ted Taylor. Their program lists familiar Battle specialties by Handel, Mozart, Donizetti, Turina and others.

* Kathleen Battle appears in recital at Royce Hall, UCLA. $16-$55. (310) 825-2101.

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Freebies

Explore Wildwood Canyon Park and the Verdugo Mountains on a docent-led hike. Meet at the park entrance off Harvard Road in Burbank, noon. (818) 238-5378.

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Music of Mozart, Gershwin and Bernstein by the Caltech-Occidental Concert Band, at Beckman Auditorium, Caltech, Michigan Avenue south of Del Mar Boulevard, Pasadena. (626) 395-4652. 8 p.m.