Itinerary: Egypt

Give the ancient Egyptians points for consistency. In America, our artistic movements last a decade or so. Fashions change every 12 minutes. But the ancient Egyptians kept things more or less the same for, oh, about 3,000 years.

That’s a good way to leave a permanent mark on the world. Ancient Egyptian art is not only a source of historic fascination but also a continuing artistic influence.

Thursday

Get in to see “Pharaohs of the Sun: Akhenaten, Nefertiti, and Tutankhamen” before it closes on Sunday at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (5905 Wilshire Blvd., L.A. Open today, noon-8 p.m.; Friday, noon-9 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. [323] 857-6000).

The exhibit explores the art and artifacts of the Amarna period, during which the pharaoh Akhenaten moved the capital of the Egyptian empire to Amarna from Thebes and instituted the worship of a new sun god, Aten. The social changes wrought artistic changes, too, as evidenced by the objects in the show.

Friday

The Egyptian Theatre (6712 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. [323] 466-FILM) was overhauled about 18 months ago when it became the permanent home for the American Cinematheque. Inside is a completely modern stadium-seating theater, but the courtyard maintains the decorative touches that gave the original Grauman’s Egyptian Theater (opened in 1922) its name.

The venue is hosting the World Animation Celebration this weekend, and at 5:45 p.m. screens work by Czech animator Michaela Pavlatova. At 7:45 p.m. is a tribute to Matt Groening and “The Simpsons.” And at midnight they show a program titled “The History of Sex in Animation.” Or, “Forever Hollywood,” the tribute to movies by the people who make them, screens Tuesday through Sunday at 11 a.m., 12:30, 2 and 3:30 p.m.

Saturday

Film director Bruce Neibaur has used the power of computer-generated imagery and the huge Imax format to reveal the magnificence of the pyramids of Giza, the Valley of the Kings and the temple at Karnak in “Mysteries of Egypt.” The 40-minute film is framed by a grandfather (Omar Sharif) explaining to his granddaughter (Kate Maberly) the story of the opening of the tomb of Tutankhamen, an act that supposedly cursed all involved. The movie plays Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. at the California Science Center (Exposition Park, [213] 744-2014).

A more hands-on approach is available at the Skirball Cultural Center (2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., L.A. [310] 440-4636). At 1:45 p.m., parents and children can participate in an Archeology Dig Workshop, a lesson in archeology that reveals how scientists find objects and learn from them. (Reservations required. $5 per child. Also July 8 and Aug. 5.)

When there’s no program, the Skirball’s Discovery Center is still open for kids 5 and up, with archeology games and access to the outdoor dig area.

Sunday

Perhaps the strangest application of Egyptian style in Southern California is the theme park Pharaoh’s Lost Kingdom (California Street exit off Interstate 10, Redlands. $7.95 to $24.95. [909] 335-7275). Features include the Pharaoh’s Phollies midway, an Ancient Egypt miniature golf course, the Tomb of Doom laser-tag arena and the new roller coaster, the Screaming Mummy. And if the Inland Empire gets Egypt-hot, there are lots of water slides, including the Wrath of Ra, which opens June 9.