BEST BETS / Thursday 7/6

10pm Pop Music

Sam Butera spent the prime of his career backing the singer known as “the Wildest,” Louis Prima, and that’s the name the jumpin’, jivin’, wailin’ saxophonist and singer has given his current band. At 73, Butera can still teach a few tricks to the Sunset Strip swingers and hipsters who will be drawn to the Viper Room by the call of the wildest.

* Sam Butera & the Wildest, Viper Room, 8852 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 10 p.m. $10. (310) 358-1880.

8pm

Cabaret

Vocalist, actor and gender illusionist Jim Bailey has appeared as many of the world’s most famous divas, but he is best known for his serious and thoughtful tribute to Judy Garland. Here, in Garland’s guise, he’ll explore her films and music with a host of costumes and surprises in a performance that’s sure to transport you “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”

* Jim Bailey as Judy Garland, the Cinegrill, Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, 7000 Hollywood Blvd. 8 p.m. $20. Also Friday-Saturday, $22; Sunday, $20; July 12-13, $20; and July 14-15, $22. (323) 466-7000.

8pm

Jazz

The Preservation Hall Jazz Band is a living archive of New Orleans jazz and one of the most fun musical ensembles to be heard. Led by clarinetist Dr. Michael White, the noted musicologist whose latest album explores the work of legendary New Orleans clarinetist George Lewis, the ensemble guarantees a parasol parade in the aisles with “The Saints Go Marching In” and other treasures from the early days of Crescent City jazz.

* The Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Irvine Barclay Theatre, 4242 Campus Drive, Irvine. 8 p.m. $26 to $32. Also Friday, 8 p.m. (949) 854-4646. Also Sunday, 5 p.m. at Warner Park, 5800 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Woodland Hills. Free. (818) 704-1587.

8pm

Theater

Keith Carradine heads the cast in the premiere of “American Appetites,” Joyce Carol Oates’ novel adapted for the stage by Nick Olcott. It’s about an affluent suburban couple whose lives disintegrate under the weight of tragedy and scandal. The live radio theater performance will be recorded for future broadcast on KCRW-FM (89.9).

* “American Appetites,” L.A. Theatre Works, Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. Today and Friday, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 4 and 7:30 p.m. Dark Saturday. $32 to $36. (310) 827-0889.

Freebie:

King of the surf guitar Dick Dale and his band perform at the Twilight Dance Series at the Santa Monica Pier, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. (310) 458-8900 or https://www.santamonicapier.org.