all day: Garden Tours

Ten Los Angeles private gardens will be open to the public during the Garden Conservancy’s National Open Days Program. Nationwide, 416 gardens in 26 states will take part.

* Garden Conservancy’s National Open Days Program, El Chaparro California Native Garden, 111 S. Van Ness Ave., Los Angeles, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Archibald Young/Martin-Watterson, 808 S. San Rafael Ave., Pasadena, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; La Folie, 400 S. San Rafael Ave., Pasadena, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Merrill & Donivee Nash, 1014 Hampton Road, Arcadia, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Mr. and Mrs. Robert D. Volk, 1440 Orlando Road, San Marino, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Cooper/Taggart Garden, 2643 Crestmore Place, Los Angeles, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Daigre/Hamann Garden, 564 N. Beachwood Drive, Los Angeles, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Dr. and Mrs. Val Clark, 900 Descanso Drive, La Canada Flintridge, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Rheinstein Garden, 435 S. Windsor Blvd., Los Angeles, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.; Horton Garden, 256 S. Van Ness Ave., Los Angeles, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. $4 per garden. Call (888) 842-2442 between 6 a.m. and 2 p.m. for more information.

8:15 pm: Dance

Introduced to American audiences only two years ago, the controversial, boldly contemporary Eifman Ballet of St. Petersburg (founded in 1977) makes its local debut with one of its most popular and acclaimed works, Boris Eifman’s “Red Giselle.” The story of a great ballerina who suffers a tragic mental breakdown after personal and professional betrayals, this Expressionist, full-evening dance drama is inspired by the life of Olga Spessivtseva, a St. Petersburg dancer celebrated for her exquisite style and perfect technique early in the 20th century. Music by Tchaikovsky, Schnittke and Bizet accompanies her rise and fall.

* “Red Giselle,” Eifman Ballet, Universal Amphitheatre, 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City. 8:15 p.m. Also Sunday, 2:15 p.m. $33 to $58. (213) 252-TIXS.

all day: Fair

The 14th annual Insect Fair at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County Saturday and Sunday is being billed as the largest fair of its kind in the country. More than 60 exhibitors from around the world will display living and preserved insects. Visitors can also purchase insect-themed items, including books, toys, jewelry, clothes, educational tools, artwork and crafts. Meanwhile, the museum cafe will be offering cricket croquettes and chocolate ant cookies.

* The 14th annual Insect Fair, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, 900 Exposition Blvd., Exposition Park, Los Angeles. Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. $8; students and seniors, $5.50; ages 5 to 12, $2; younger than 5, free. (213) 763-DINO.

4 pm: Pop Music

Emotions figure to run as high as the amplifiers’ volume at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater (formerly Irvine Meadows), where members of the Orange County punk-rock community and some friends convene for “Where the Angels Sing,” a benefit for the family of Social Distortion guitarist Dennis Danell, who died in February of an apparent brain aneurysm at age 38. Among those rocking to keep from crying: the Offspring, X’s original lineup, Pennywise, Agent Orange, T.S.O.L. and Social Distortion.

* “Where the Angels Sing,” Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, 8808 Irvine Center Drive, Irvine. 4 p.m. $30. (949) 855-2863.

10 am: Movies

Laemmle Theatres launches its “American Independents” weekend film series with the gritty indie “Hollywood and Nowhere,” a compelling drama about L.A. “gutter punks” made by young filmmaker Nicholas LoCasale when he was a student at Crossroads School in Santa Monica. Times film reviewer Kevin Thomas called the movie “the most corrosive portrait yet of kids trying to survive on the mean streets of the erstwhile glamour capital of the world.” Other films in the series include: “Conceiving Ada,” a drama about Ada Byron King (played by Tilda Swinton), the 19th century feminist daughter of poet Lord Byron; “Dogstar,” a contemporary update of O. Henry’s enduring story of love and sacrifice, “The Gift of the Magi”; and the comedies “Tomorrow Night,” “Suckerfish” and “Going Nomad.”

* “American Independents,” Sunset 5, 8000 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood. “Hollywood and Nowhere,” Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. $5.50 to $8.50. (323) 848-3500. Also at the Monica 4-Plex, 1332 2nd St., Santa Monica, May 13 and 14 at 11 a.m. (310) 394-9741. Check the Special Screenings listings in Weekend and Sunday Calendar for future films in the series.

all day: Festival

Y2K? Not in Devore. For about seven weeks, it’ll be more like 1600--the age of Shakespeare’s England at the Renaissance Pleasure Faire. Jousting, swordplay, and all types of revelry return for the 38th season.

* The Renaissance Pleasure Faire, Glen Helen Regional Park, off Interstate 15, north of Interstate 10, Devore. Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. through June 26. Also Memorial Day. $17.50; seniors, students, military, $15; ages 5 to 11, $7.50; younger than 5, free. (909) 880-0122.

all day: Art

Artworks by Chicago-based artists Guy Aitchison, Chris Garofalo and Michele Wortman explore the connections among art, science and nature in the exhibition “Biogenesis,” opening Saturday at Julie Rico Gallery. Not satisfied with just science and nature, the exhibition also will focus on technology as the show’s opening reception will be broadcast live at https://www.ricoartgallery.com. Web surfers will be able to view the artworks, see the opening-night participants and visit a discussion forum, as well as enjoy the tribal trance rhythms of Steve Roach.

* “Biogenesis,” Julie Rico Gallery, 208 Pier Ave., Santa Monica. Opening night reception, 7-11 p.m. Gallery hours: Tuesday-Sunday, noon to 6 p.m. Free. (310) 399-5353.

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FREEBIE: “Martine Franck: One Day to the Next,” a 30-year survey devoted to the noted Magnum photographer, opens at Peter Fetterman Gallery, 2525 Michigan Ave., A-7, Santa Monica. Tuesdays-Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Ends June 24. (310) 453-6463.