Noon Museums

Texture, color and light all play an important role in “Threads of Light: Chinese Embroidery From Suzhou and the Photography of Robert Glenn Ketchum,” a rare exhibition of contemporary Chinese embroidery opening Sunday at UCLA’s Fowler Museum of Cultural History. The first exhibition outside of China to focus on the renowned Suzhou Embroidery Research Institute features 30 works incorporating many types of stitches and hundreds of hues of silk threads. Also, in a unique collaboration, 13 of the large-scale random stitch works are based on the photographs of American landscape photographer Robert Glenn Ketchum.

* “Threads of Light: Chinese Embroidery From Suzhou and the Photography of Robert Glenn Ketchum.” UCLA/Fowler Museum of Cultural History, UCLA campus, just west of Royce Hall. Museum hours: Wednesday-Sunday, noon-5 p.m; Thursday, noon-8 p.m. Admission is free. (310) 825-4361.

1 pm: Family

The whole show comes out of a trunk as Theatre West Youth Theatre presents Charlie Mount in “Abracadabra,” his New Vaudeville-style solo comedy-magic-mime show. The audience can get into the act, too.

* “Abracadabra,” Theatre West, 3333 Cahuenga Blvd. W., Los Angeles. Sundays, 1 p.m., through May 2. Dark April 4. $8-$10. (888) 551-WEST.

3 pm: Jazz

Downtown Los Angeles’ spacious Union Station provides the backdrop for Cuban trumpeter Arturo Sandoval’s blend of jazz and Latin music during this now-annual event sponsored by the Da Camera Society’s Chamber Music in Historic Sites series. All aboard!

* Arturo Sandoval, Union Station, Alameda Street just north of the 101 Freeway. $19-$32. (310) 954-4300.

5 pm: Theater

“The Presentment,” D. Paul Thomas’ new drama, explores controversial ground as a clergyman champions the church in a debate over the sanctioning of gay marriage, a position that puts him in conflict with his two sons.

* “The Presentment,” Pasadena Playhouse, 39 S. El Molino Ave., 5 p.m. Regular schedule: Tuesdays-Fridays, 8 p.m.; Saturdays, 5 and 9 p.m.; Sundays, 2 and 7 p.m. Ends April 25. $13.50-$42.50. (800) 233-3123.

3 pm: Music

There’s a new “Love Boat” on TV, so why be surprised by the return of Charo, with special guest ventriloquist Willie Tyler and his dummy, Lester? The two--or, er, three--of them appear at Cal State Northridge as part of the Show of the Month concert series. Charo may be best known for her hip-wiggling cuchi-cuchi and big blond hair, but she’s also a heck of a classical guitarist.

* Charo at the Cal State Northridge Performing Arts Center, Zelzah Avenue north of Nordhoff Street, 3 p.m. $27.50; seniors, $25.50. (818) 785-8885.

2 & 7:30 pm: Klezmer

This is not your grandfather’s klezmer music. Well, maybe it is--but that doesn’t mean it’s not exciting. Chicago’s acclaimed Maxwell Street Klezmer Band brings Hasidic folk melodies, Jewish wedding dances, Russian drinking songs and tunes from New York’s Yiddish theater to the University of Judaism.

* Maxwell Street Klezmer Band, at Gindi Auditorium, University of Judaism, 15600 Mulholland Drive, Los Angeles. 2 and 7:30 p.m. $25-$30. (310) 476-9777, Ext. 203. Also Saturday, 8:30 p.m., and Tuesday, 8 p.m.

11 am: Festival

Passover, the weeklong celebration of the delivery of Jews from slavery in Egypt during biblical times, is marked with the Passover Food! Family! Fun! Festival at the Skirball Cultural Center. Cooking and recipe contest, reggae Passover music, dance, storytelling and a haggada-making workshop are all part of the day’s plans. Passover begins at sundown March 31.

* Passover Food! Family! Fun! Festival, at the Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., 11 a.m.-5 p.m. $8; seniors and students, $6; free for ages 12 and younger. (310) 440-4500.

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FREEBIES

Students and alumni of CalArts perform contemporary Indian and world music at the McGroarty Art Center, 7570 McGroarty Terrace, Tujunga. 4 p.m. (805) 222-2710.

Family Festival includes performances, storytelling and other activities, at Getty Museum, 1200 Getty Center Drive, Brentwood. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Parking reservations required, (310) 440-7300.