11am: Photography

Severely manicured gardens are transformed into haunting images of beauty through the lens of Minneapolis-based photographer Lynn Geesaman in “Poetics of Place,” opening Friday at Stephen Cohen Gallery. Presented in conjunction with the publication and release of the artist’s first book, the exhibition will include Geesaman’s romantic black and white photographs of gardens and landscapes, taken mostly in Europe.

* “Lynn Geesaman: Poetics of Place.” Stephen Cohen Gallery, 7358 Beverly Blvd., West Hollywood. Ends Nov. 28. Gallery hours: Tuesdays-Saturdays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission free. There will be a book-signing and reception for the artist from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday. (323) 937-5525.

6:30pm / Movies

The world’s longest hearse procession and a horror-flick marathon are among the highlights of the fourth edition of the Orpheum Theater’s highly popular Spook-a-Thon, which will celebrate the advent of Halloween both Friday and Oct. 30. There will be an array of sci-fi, horror and cult pictures and a tribute to Warner Bros.’ 75th anniversary. The event is sponsored by Friends of the Orpheum Theater, which is dedicated to restoring and preserving the 1926 landmark theater.

* Spook-a-Thon ‘98, Orpheum Theater, 842 S. Broadway, downtown Los Angeles. Friday at 6:30 p.m.; Oct. 30 at 7 p.m. $9-$11. Information: (213) 239-0949. Tickets: (323) 660-TKTS.

7pm / Art

In a highly unusual exhibition, Los Angeles sculptor George Herms will put more than 50 of his works on view on the pavement of the 1st Street Bridge in downtown Los Angeles while fellow artist Hiro Yamagata will present a laser installation extending from the bridge to the Los Angeles River in “George Herms: Parade of Sculpture” and “Hiro Yamagata: Sculpture of Light.”

* “George Herms: Parade of Sculpture” and “Hiro Yamagata: Sculpture of Light.” 1st Street Bridge, downtown Los Angeles. 7 p.m.-midnight Friday-Sunday. Admission free. (213) 626-1691.

8pm: Theater

Actors Co-Op presents “Edith Stein,” Arthur Giron’s drama based on the story of the just-canonized Jewish-born Catholic nun, who died at Auschwitz in 1942, and her struggles with identity and faith.

* “Edith Stein,” Actors Co-Op at Crossley Theatre, 1760 N. Gower St. Thursdays-Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 2:30 p.m. Ends Dec. 20. $17. (323) 462-8460.

8pm: Theater

“Dinner With Friends,” Donald Margulies’ play about two married couples at midlife and the effect on one couple when the other’s marriage breaks up, has its West Coast premiere.

* “Dinner With Friends,” South Coast Repertory, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Tuesdays-Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays-Sundays, 2:30 p.m. Ends Nov. 22. $18-$45. (714) 708-5555.

10:30am / Circus

The only black-owned and -operated touring circus in the country, the Atlanta-based UniverSoul Circus, performs under the big top at Hollywood Park with its international troupe of traditional circus acts, clowns and animals entertaining against a backdrop of rhythm and blues, urban, hip-hop and gospel music.

* UniverSoul Circus, Hollywood Park, 1050 S. Prairie Ave., Inglewood. Friday-Nov. 1. Fridays, 10:30 a.m., 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays, noon, 4:30 and 8 p.m.; Sundays, noon, 3:30 and 6:30 p.m. $10-$30. Group discounts available. (800) 316-7439; (213) 480-3232.

FREEBIE: Screenings of Latin American films, UCLA’s James Bridges Theater, 2:30, 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. (310) 206-FILM.