8pm / Dance

Master of what the New York Times called “initially exasperating but ultimately shattering dance-theater,” David Rousseve returns to local stages with “Love Songs,” his latest dreamlike fusion of past and present, myth and docudrama, spoken and sung texts, dance and visual imagery. Set in a ghostly ballroom, this full-evening performance juxtaposes depictions of African slavery with the grandiose lyricism of German and Italian opera, adding satirical debates about contemporary gender issues and the nature of beauty as well. Joining Rousseve, his 12-dancer company REALITY and a pack of 6-foot dog-puppets: 25 additional performers drawn from the Southland community.

* “Love Songs,” David Rousseve/REALITY, Royce Hall, UCLA campus, Westwood. 8 p.m. Also Saturday, 8 p.m. $10 (students) to $28. (310) 825-2101.

7:30 pm / Music

The Beyond Music Sound Festival occupies the Beyond Baroque Center in Venice for three days. The subject: the peripheries of music and some composers going to the edges. Among those giving performances and lectures are Jeph Jerman, Mark Trayle, Hildegard Westenkamp, David Schafer, Anna Homler, Damion Romero and Josie Roth. Besides performance and installations, the festival will also delve into considerations of site, the nature of sound and listening as an action.

* Beyond Music Sound Festival begins with a reception and the opening of installations at 5 p.m. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Also Saturday: lectures at 3 p.m., performances at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday: workshop on acoustic ecology at 3 p.m., performances at 7:30 p.m., all at Beyond Baroque Center, 681 Venice Blvd., Venice. Three-day passes, $25; two-day passes, $15; one-day passes, $10.(310) 822-3006.

8pm / Theater

“Having Our Say,” Emily Mann’s adaptation of Sadie and Bessie Delany’s memoir looking back on 100 years of their family life and black history in America, features Amantha Dymally and Barbara Mealy as the centenarian sisters.

* “Having Our Say,” International City Theatre, Long Beach City College, Clark Street and Harvey Way, Fridays and Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 2 p.m. Ends June 13. $22; Friday opening, $25. (562) 938-4128.

6pm / Art

Everything old is new again at this weekend’s L.A. Modernism Show at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium. Focusing on decorative, functional, fine and applied arts from the past century, more than 75 galleries and dealers will showcase works in a diversity of styles, from Art Nouveu jewelry to Frank Gehry’s famous corrugated cardboard lounge chair.

* L.A. Modernism Show, Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, Main Street and Pico Boulevard, Santa Monica. An opening night benefit for the Los Angeles Conservancy will be held Friday from 6-9 p.m. Tickets $50. Regular hours: Saturday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Adults, $10; children under 16, free. (310) 455-2886.

all day / Movies

“The Mummy,” a remake of the seminal 1932 horror film, stars Brendan Fraser as a treasure-seeking explorer who unwittingly unleashes a 3,000-year-old legacy--the reincarnation of a cursed Egyptian priest--when he and his team enter an ancient tomb in the Sahara Desert. The film co-stars Rachel Weisz (“The Land Girls”) and John Hannah (“Four Weddings and a Funeral”) and is set in 1925.

* “The Mummy,” rated PG-13 for pervasive adventure violence and some partial nudity, will open Friday in general release.

8pm / Theater

Mime and clown Avner the Eccentric, a.k.a. Avner Eisenberg, makes a tour stop in his critically acclaimed solo vaudeville mime show, “Exceptions to Gravity.”

* “Exceptions to Gravity,” Norris Theatre, Crossfield Drive and Indian Peak Road, Rolling Hills Estates, Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. $30. (310) 544-0403.

Freebies:

“Serendipity on the Sidewalk” is Westwood’s new open-air concert series Fridays and Saturdays at various locations and times. This Friday: jazz at 5 p.m. and blues at 8 p.m.

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The Pan-American Fiesta is a community fair and artists’ exhibition with rides, foods and crafts. Mayfair Park, 5720 Clark Ave., Lakewood. 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Also Saturday and Sunday. (562) 866-9771, Ext. 2417.