Noon: Art

It has long been believed in East Asia that brush and ink reveal the true character of the artist. Therefore, viewing a painting or calligraphy is a form of communication with the inner spirit of the person who created it. Look into the spirit of 14 prominent artists as “The Art of Twentieth Century Zen: Paintings and Calligraphy by Japanese Masters” opens today at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. The first such exhibition in the United States will include 71 scrolls, screens and other objects.

* “The Art of Twentieth Century Zen: Paintings and Calligraphy by Japanese Masters,” Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 5905 Wilshire Blvd. Ends Jan. 2. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, noon-8 p.m.; Fridays, noon-9 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; closed Wednesdays. Adults, $7; seniors and students, $5; children and students 6 to 17, $1; children 5 and younger, free. (323) 857-6000.

8 pm: Movies

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will celebrate the 70th anniversary of the USC School of Cinema with a program of short films by some of the university’s most famous alumni. Included in the compilation will be George Lucas’ rarely screened “Electronic Labyrinth: THX 1138 4EB,” Robert Zemeckis’ “A Field of Honor,” Kevin Reynolds’ “Proof” and Rick Famuyiwa’s “Black Top Lingo.” Lucas is scheduled to attend as is special effects master Richard Edlund, director Randal Kleiser, studio executives Laura Ziskin and Bill Mechanic and screenwriters John Milius, Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski.

* The academy celebrates the 70th anniversary of the USC School of Cinema, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, 8949 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, 8 p.m. $3 to $5. (310) 247-3600.

8 pm: Pop Music

Why just sit around waiting into 2000 for your new album to come out when there are all these small clubs and theaters on your Southern California turf just made for some of the bouncy rock that made you big stars, as well as a taste of the new music that may change critics’ minds? Gwen Stefani and the rest of No Doubt shake off the cobwebs with a series of intimate shows starting in San Diego.

* No Doubt, Thursday at Price Center Ballroom, UC San Diego. 8 p.m. $20. (619) 534-0694. Sunday at the Glass House, 200 W. 2nd St., Pomona. 8 p.m. $20. (909) 469-5800. Tuesday at the Ventura Theatre, 26 S. Chestnut St., Ventura. 8 p.m. $22. (805) 653-0721. Wednesday at the House of Blues, 8430 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 9 p.m. Sold out. (323) 848-5100.

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FREEBIE: Screening of Frank Capra’s 1928 film “The Matinee Idol,” Chapman University, Argyros Forum, Room 208, 333 N. Glassell St., Orange, 7 p.m. (714) 997-6765.