1:30pm / Jazz

Cornetist and Ornette Coleman associate Bobby Bradford and his quartet--with saxophonist Vinny Golia, bassist Roberto Miranda and drummer Alex Cline--will perform and discuss free jazz at this “History of Jazz Informance,” presented by the Thelonoius Monk Institute.

* “Free Jazz: A History of Jazz Informance” with Bobby Bradford, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Ave., 1:30 p.m. Free. (310) 656-4500.

7:30pm / Music

Can’t get enough divas in your life? On the heels of the VH1 “Divas Live” broadcast comes the ninth annual “Divas: Simply Singing,” a fund-raiser for local AIDS charities. This year’s lineup includes Nancy Wilson, Julia Moran, Erin Hamilton, Evelyn “Champagne” King, Tina Arena, Susan Egan, Carmen Twillie, Sheryl Lee Ralph and others.

* “Divas: Simply Singing,” Wilshire Ebell Theatre, 4401 W. 8th St., 7:30 p.m. $35 to $100. (213) 480-3232.

11pm / Pop Music

When Eminem played the House of Blues in February he was still a relative unknown outside the realm of die-hard rap fans, but in the weeks since, the Detroit native has sold more than 1.4 million copies of his debut album, “The Slim Shady LP,” been featured on the cover of Rolling Stone and endured praise and intense criticism for his lurid, comical raps. Now he returns to the Sunset Strip club.

* Eminem, House of Blues, 8430 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, 11 p.m. $20. (323) 848-5100.

2pm / TV Talk

The Skirball Cultural Center turns its Spotlight series on the issue of television and society, with a series of talks about TV’s impact on America--both as a form of entertainment and as a medium for social change. First up is writer-director-producer Norman Lear, who created landmark shows like “All in the Family,” “Good Times” and “The Jeffersons.” He is also founder of People for the American Way. Future guests include Linda Lavin on June 7 and Sharon Gless and Barney Rosenzweig on July 25.

* Television and Society series with Norman Lear, 2 p.m. at the Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., L.A., 2 p.m. $12; $10, members; $6, students. (310) 440-4500. Tickets: (323) 655-8587.

8pm / Pop Music

Music mastermind Beck’s sound is easy to sum up: It’s your basic trippy hip-hop folk rock, with some waltzes. And of course there’s some quirky hillbilly psychedelia. Oh, and don’t forget the Delta-inspired electro-blues, old-fashioned garage rock and his one-man revival break dancing. Expect all that and a few surprises from the Grammy-winning sonic chameleon.

* Beck and Beachwood Sparks, Wiltern Theatre, 3790 Wilshire Blvd. 8 p.m. $27.50. (213) 380-5005. Also Sunday with the Radar Brothers.

10am / Art

Fifty-two sculptures made from bronze, marble, stone, terra cotta and wood will be featured in “Elizabeth Catlett Sculpture: A 50-Year Retrospective,” opening Saturday at the California African-American Museum. The pioneering black artist’s distinctive works reflect her African American heritage as well as her political, social and feminist sensibilities--portraits of Angela Davis and Martin Luther King Jr. are prominent faces in her commemorative works.

* “Elizabeth Catlett Sculpture: A 50-Year Retrospective,” California African-American Museum, 600 State Drive, Exposition Park. Ends Aug. 15. Tuesdays through Sundays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Catlett’s husband, artist Francisco Mora, will present a slide-lecture from noon-1 p.m. Saturday followed by a tour of the exhibition with Catlett from 1:30-2:30 p.m. In addition, Catlett will participate in a discussion with actress Beah Richards from 2-3 p.m. Sunday. Free. (213) 744-7432.

Freebies

Author John Reitano and illustrator William Haines read from their book, “What If Zebras Lost Their Stripes?,” at the Pacific Asia Museum, 46 N. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena, 10 a.m. Reservations suggested: (626) 449-2742, Ext. 31.

*

Jazz, blues and gospel groups from local schools perform during the Festival of Opportunities, at Giroux Glass, 850 W. Washington Blvd. Noon to 5 p.m. (310) 479-1817.