All day / Movies

British director Mike Newell has carved out a reputation for stylish filmmaking with the romantic romp “Four Weddings and a Funeral” and the gritty American mob drama “Donnie Brasco.” His latest, “Pushing Tin,” is an inside look at the high-pressure world of air traffic controllers in which John Cusack and Billy Bob Thornton square off as two very different but competitive controllers. Cate Blanchett and Angelina Jolie co-star.

* “Pushing Tin,” rated R for language and a scene of sexuality, opens in general release Friday.

10pm / Pop Music

The Bible has survived many attacks over the years, but can it survive the Residents? The anonymous kings (or queens, who knows?) of avant-rock take on the good book in “Wormwood,” the stage production of their 1998 album.

* The Residents, House of Blues, 8430 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, 10 p.m. Also Saturday at 10 p.m. and Sunday at 9 p.m. $25.(323) 848-5100.

8pm / Music

The Beethoven Trios, complete! The veteran Beaux Arts Trio returns for a long weekend in which the three instrumentalists--pianist Menahem Pressler, violinist Young Uck Kim and cellist Antonio Meneses--play the complete piano trios by Beethoven at UCLA. The opening program lists the trios: Opus 1, No. 1; Opus 11; WoO No. 38; and Opus 70, No. 1.

* The Beaux Arts Trio plays in Schoenberg Hall at UCLA at 8 p.m. $11-$30. Different programs, Saturday and Sunday at 8 p.m. (310) 825-2101.

7:30 pm / Pop Music

This year’s best rock performance Grammy winner, Lenny Kravitz, kicks off a U.S. tour with a lineup that also features the Black Crowes, Everlast and Cree Summer.

* Lenny Kravitz, with the Black Crowes, Everlast and Cree Summer, Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre, 8800 Irvine Center Drive, Irvine. 6:30 p.m. $TK. (949) 855-2863.

all day / Science-Fiction

If sci-fi fans can direct their attention away from the May 19 opening of the new “Star Wars” movie, Star Trek Grand Slam VII might be on their radar screen. The stars of popular sci-fi movies and TV series will be on hand, including William Shatner and DeForest Kelley, plus actors from “Battlestar Galactica,” “Buck Rogers,” “Alien Nation,” “Lost in Space,” “Babylon 5” and “V.”

* Salute to Star Trek Grand Slam VII, Pasadena Center, 300 E. Green St., Pasadena. 12-7 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Advance tickets: Friday, $21; Saturday-Sunday, $31; $5 more at the door; children 7-12, $15 at the door only; under 6, free. (818) 409-0960.

8pm / Theater

The husband-and-wife duo of Tony-winning composer Albert Hague (he also gained fame in “Fame,” playing Professor Shorofsky in the movie and TV versions) and veteran stage actress and writer Renee Orin serve up a feast of Broadway music, humor, gossip and memories in their theatrical cabaret performance.

* “Albert Hague & Renee Orin in Performance,” Cinegrill, Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, 7000 Hollywood Blvd. Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m.; Sunday (Actors Fund Benefit), 5:30 p.m. $15; benefit, $25. (323) 466-7000.

Freebies

Anyone can speak out at the Great Earth Day Venting Event, a taping for a cable show at the Novel Cafe, 212 Pier Ave., Santa Monica, 8 p.m. (310) 394-VENT.

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“Ride ‘Em Cowboys,” an exhibition of paintings and sculptures depicting early West Coast life will be on view at Christie’s, 360 N. Camden Drive, Beverly Hills, through April 28. (310) 385-2600.