Best Bets: Thursday 2/4

11 am: Photography

“Edgar Degas: Photographer,” a small but compelling exhibition of photographs that opened at the Getty Center this week, offers an intimate look into the life of an artist best known as a painter. Degas took up photography at the age of 61 when his eyesight was failing. Experimenting, he captured close friends such as Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Stephane Mallarme, family members and himself in highly personal compositions. Composed of 40 portraits, street scenes, nudes and colored glass-plate negatives, the exhibition also features a few related paintings, pastels, monotypes, drawings and sculpture.

* “Edgar Degas: Photographer,” the Getty Center, 1200 Getty Center Drive, Brentwood. Ends March 28. Museum hours: Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Thursdays and Fridays, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission free; parking reservations are required. (310) 440-7300.

8 pm: Comedy

For years, the alternative comedy scene has nurtured its cliquish affectations at Club Largo in the Fairfax district. But across the street there’s another place, Bang. Improv Studio, that sometimes is a better bet for your alt-comedy buck. Founded in 1995 by Peter and Aliza Murrieta, alumni of Chicago’s Second City Theatre, Bang. celebrates its existence with “The Big Bang Festival.” The monthlong event highlights the best of Bang., from improv to stand-up to theater, including Dan Castellaneta’s “Where Did Vincent Van Gogh?” and the all-women sketch show “Stacy’s Not Here.” The festival begins today with a reprisal of Aliza Murrieta’s one-act play about aliens, past lives and spirit guides, “Secret Society Girl.”

* “The Big Bang Festival,” Bang. Improv Studio, 457 N. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles. Shows run Thursdays through Sundays at 8 p.m. in February. $6 to $10. (323) 653-6886.

Noon: Art

Unintimidated by creating historical narratives such as “Washington Crossing the Delaware” and “The History of the Russian Revolution,” artist Larry Rivers next tackled Jewish history. All of it. “History of Matzah: The Story of the Jews,” which opened Tuesday at the Skirball Cultural Center, is an epic series, depicting the 4,000-year history of the Jewish people on three 10-by-14-foot canvases. Based on research, these paintings include major events, people and places in Jewish history.

* “Larry Rivers: History of Matzah: The Story of the Jews,” Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd. Ends May 30. Museum hours: Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Museum admission: $8 general; $6 seniors and students; free to children 12 and under. (310) 440-4500.

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Freebie:

The 19th annual “Fascination of Orchids International Show & Sale” at South Coast Plaza Crystal Court, 3333 Bear St., Costa Mesa. 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Continues through Sunday. (714) 435-2160.