Today’s Best Bets

Television

In a bold move to lure new viewers, the Sci-Fi Channel launches a four-hour block of first-run programming: new episodes of “Poltergeist: The Legacy” and “Sliders” and two new series--”Farscape” and “First Wave,” starring Sebastian Spence as a man trying to expose an alien invasion.

* “Poltergeist: The Legacy” airs at 4 and 8 p.m., followed by “Farscape” at 5 and 9 p.m., “Sliders” at 6 and 10 p.m. and “First Wave” at 7 and 11 p.m. Sci-Fi Channel.

Stage

You’ve seen the movie, now watch the play. David Engel stars as Gene Kelly--er, Don Lockwood, in this Cabrillo Music Theatre production based on MGM’s 1952 classic.

* “Singin’ in the Rain,” 8 p.m. Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., (805) 449-ARTS, (805) 583-8700, (213) 480-3232, (714) 740-2000. Regular schedule: Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 2 p.m. Ends March 28.

Jazz

Drummer Sherman Ferguson teams with saxophonist Louis Taylor and bassist Jeff Littleton for an after-work set in downtown L.A.

* Sherman Ferguson Trio, 6 p.m. Bonaventure Brewing Co. & Restaurant, 404 S. Figueroa St., (213) 236-0802.

Music

Clarinetist Richard Stoltzman joins percussion ensemble Nexus in an eclectic program: music by Steve Reich, Villa-Lobos, Douglas, Stravinsky and others.

* Richard Stoltzman and Nexus, 8 p.m. Royce Hall, UCLA, (310) 825-2101.