A Calendar of Best Bets

Following is a chronological list of the top events of the summer.

SATURDAY

Playboy Jazz at the Old Pasadena Summer Fest is a three-day free music festival that covers a wide range of jazz. This year the artists will include Johnny Frigo, Joyce Cooling, Poncho Sanchez, Carmen Lundy, Lori Andrews, the Braxton Brothers, Nestor Torres and O.C. Smith.

WEDNESDAY

At the 54th Ojai Festival, Simon Rattle conducts the L.A. Philharmonic in three programs in Festival Bowl, including works by this year’s two composers-in-residence: Thomas Ades and Mark-Anthony Turnage. Also, pianist Gloria Cheng appears in recital; two Sundowner concerts, May 31 and June 1, precede the festival weekend. The festival runs through June 4.

Peter Falk and Jason Alexander headline the world premiere of “Defiled,” Lee Kalcheim’s drama about a police negotiator and an over-the-edge city librarian, at the Geffen Playhouse. Ends July 2.

THURSDAY, JUNE 1

Bob Dorough is a triple threat as a personable singer, a bop-based jazz pianist and a witty lyricist. The veteran, who now is getting long-overdue recognition, will be at the Jazz Spot in Los Feliz for three nights.

Real men drop trou’: San Diego’s Old Globe Theatre presents the world premiere of “The Full Monty, the Musical,” by David Yazbek and Terrence McNally. Ends July 2.

FRIDAY, JUNE 2

The world premiere of “The Education of Randy Newman,” with words and music by the singer-songwriter behind “Short People,” “Sail Away” and “I Love L.A.,” opens at South Coast Repertory, playing through July 2.

“MedeaText: Los Angeles/Despoiled Shore,” is a new adaptation of German author/director Heiner Muller’s post-modern Medea set in an L.A. landscape. At City Garage in Santa Monica through July 9.

SATURDAY, JUNE 3

To end its final season under general director Peter Hemmings, Los Angeles Opera presents Benjamin Britten’s “Billy Budd,” with Rodney Gilfry in the title role six times in the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion through June 17.

Acclaimed local dance companies representing many South and Southeast Asian cultures collaborate to retell the ancient “Ramayana” epic in Thorne Hall at Occidental College.

“Jazz in June” is presented at the John Anson Ford Theatre by the Jazz Bakery. Featured will be the talented singers, Nnenna Freelon and Carmen Lundy, trumpeter-composer Terence Blanchard, the Billy Childs Trio and the trio Prime.

Rubicon Theatre Company premieres “Murder in the First,” by Don Gordon, who wrote the recent film “The Hurricane.” The courtroom prison drama stars Ted Neeley, Joseph Fuqua, and in a “Dallas” reunion of sorts, Larry Hagman, who plays the judge, and Linda Gray, who directs. Ends June 25.

SUNDAY, JUNE 4

The early graphic prints, artist’s books and later projects of quintessential L.A. artist Ed Ruscha--including his complete book projects--will be showcased in “Edward Ruscha: Editions 1959-1999” at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art through Aug. 27.

The unique melding of painting and photography by Los Angeles-based artist Susan Rankaitis, a longtime innovator in photographic art and teachings, will be on view in “Susan Rankaitis: Drawn From Science” at the Museum of Photographic Arts in San Diego through Aug. 13.

The Museum of Contemporary Art hosts the first major survey devoted to Mexican multimedia sculptor Gabriel Orozco in an exhibition of sculpture, photography, Videos and works on paper through Sept. 3.

“The Next Wave: New Painting in Southern California” looks at 20 Southern California artists redefining the medium of painting--L.A.’s Ingrid Calame, Steven Criqui, Salomon Huerta, Enrique Martinez Celaya and Lezley Saar among them. Through Sept. 10 at the California Center for the Arts Museum in Escondido.

Storytelling, dance lessons, puppet shows and dozens of performers will be at the Family Arts Festival at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts.

TUESDAY, JUNE 6

Nine Inch Nails returns to the U.S. concert trail for the first time in five years. Leader Trent Reznor has hired veteran Pink Floyd lighting designer Mark Brickman to help bring additional drama to the current tour, which includes a local performance at the Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim.

With a new album in the stores, Matchbox Twenty is gearing up to expand the substantial audience it attracted with its 1996 debut. Instead of starting the ball rolling in arenas and amphitheaters, the band is on a special tour of small rooms, including the Wilshire Ebell Theatre.

Forget the Spice Girls. For the real definition of girl power, check out the three women in the punk-fueled Sleater-Kinney at the El Rey Theatre. Also June 7.

Galavision, the Spanish-language TV network, spends three days taping top local Latino comics for an upcoming TV special June 6-8 at the Ice House in Pasadena.

The American premiere of Improbable Theatre’s hit London show, “Lifegame,” opens at the La Jolla Playhouse. It will create a different show each night based on pre-selected San Diego residents’ life memories, using puppetry and music. Ends July 9.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7

The beloved, little blue canine star of Nickelodeon’s hit preschooler series “Blue’s Clues” puts on a show along with Steve, Tickety Tock, Mr. Salt and Mrs. Pepper, and other pals in “Blue’s Clues Live Tour” at the San Diego Civic Center (June 7-11) and Orange County Performing Arts Center (June 21-25).

THURSDAY, JUNE 8

A La Jolla woman--whose son has overdosed--and her husband, who’s presiding over a high-profile murder case, are the subjects of “The Poison Tree,” Robert Glaudini’s drama which premiere at the Mark Taper Forum, running through July 16.

FRIDAY, JUNE 9

A festival in West Hollywood Park on June 10-11 and a gala parade on June 11 on Santa Monica Boulevard will highlight the 30th annual West Hollywood Gay and Lesbian Pride Celebration.

East L.A. Classic Theatre sets its family-friendly adaptation of Edmond Rostand’s romantic tragedy, “Cyrano,” in Madrid during the Spanish Civil War. It’s part of “2000 Summer Nights at the Ford’s” family matinee series at the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre. Ends June 24.

The Los Angeles premiere of “By the Hand of the Father,” by Theresa Chavez, Eric Gutierrez and Rose Portillo, explores the 20th century journey of Mexican -American fathers. Presented by About Productions, it features music composed and performed by recording artist Alejandro Escovedo. At Margo Albert Theater, Plaza de la Raza through June 18.

SATURDAY, JUNE 10

You can get in the mood for the Supremes reunion (Aug. 3) with “Dreamgirls,” the fictional musical about a similar group, at Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, produced by Civic Light Opera of South Bay Cities. Through June 25.

The works of the Korean American artist Nam June Paik, one of the earliest video artists and a Fluxus founder, will be explored in “Nam June Paik: Video Art Pioneer” at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art. Known for creating massive sculptural installations with television sets, Paik’s Minimalist “TV Clock” will be the centerpiece of the exhibition. It consists of 24 color televisions mounted upright on pedestals. Through Oct. 8.

Music director JoAnn Falletta ends her decade as conductor of the Long Beach Symphony with this performance at the Terrace Theater in Long Beach.

TUESDAY, JUNE 13

Jane Bunnett’s Spirits of Havana mixes Cuban rhythms and vocals with advanced improvising. Bunnett, a Canadian flutist and soprano-saxophonist, always includes top Cubans in her group, which will be at the Jazz Bakery for six nights.

The Universal Amphitheatre-bound Steely Dan will be touring behind its first studio album in 20 years. Also June 14 at the Universal Amphitheatre and June 16 at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre.

FRIDAY, JUNE 16

Dr. Dre headlines one of the most imposing hip-hop lineups ever taken on the road, teaming with proteges and partners Eminem, Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube and Mack 10. The tour makes its area stops June 16 and June 18 at the Arrowhead Pond.

Rare and newly remastered footage makes the “This Is Nureyev!” film festival at LACMA indispensable, even for those who think they’ve seen everything. Also June 17.

William Hall Master Chorale closes its season with “Broadway Meets the Met,” with guest singers Carol Burnett and Frederica von Stade, at the Orange County Performing Arts Center. Also June 17.

Legendary iconoclastic performance artist Rachel Rosenthal, retiring from her career as a solo artist, presents her last solo work, “Ur-Boor,” a multimedia world premiere about a woman trapped in an orbiting space capsule with a talking computer. Her mission: rid the world of incivility and barbarism. Runs through June 24 at the Los Angeles Theatre Center.

SATURDAY, JUNE 17

The Juneteenth Celebration at the Autry Museum of Western Heritage recognizes the liberation of slaves in Texas on June 19, 1865, when Gen. Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston Bay to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation. Performances of African American spirituals and a musical program on the legends and history of African Americans in the West will contribute to this event.

The Playboy Jazz Festival traditionally features up to 22 diverse groups over a weekend at the Hollywood Bowl. The 22nd edition includes among the headliners Dianne Reeves, Count Basie’s Orchestra, Boney James, Regina Carter, John Scofield, Elvin Jones and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis.

Look for the Dixie Chicks to serve up plenty of material from the current smash album, “Fly,” including the controversial anti-domestic violence single, “Goodbye Earl,” at the Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim.

TUESDAY, JUNE 20

Dee Dee Bridgewater is one of the finest jazz singers around today. Equally skilled at scatting and interpreting ballads, she will be at Catalina’s for six nights.

The J. Paul Getty Museum shows off its highly regarded and ever-growing photography collection with “The Man in the Street: Eugene Atget in Paris” and “Tradition and Innovation: Recent Additions to the Photographs Collection,” on view through Oct. 8.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21

Alternating comedy and tragedy, the mighty Bolshoi Ballet dances “Don Quixote” (June 21, 22, 25) and “Romeo and Juliet” (June 23-24) at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. The company then moves to the Orange County Performing Arts Center, also programming “Don Q” (June 27-29) and “R&J;” (June 30, Aug. 1-2) with alternating principals.

THURSDAY, JUNE 22

Just like the movies, the genre “dance noir” boasts a menacing atmosphere and cryptic events. Some examples: pieces titled “This Is What Happened” and “Sequel” by Dance by Neil Greenberg, at the Skirball Cultural Center.

FRIDAY, JUNE 23

International City Theatre presents Matthew Witten’s drama about political corruption, “The Deal,” at the Center Theater of the Long Beach Performing Arts Center, through July 16.

SATURDAY, JUNE 24

Ellen DeGeneres has been sharpening her stand-up act in comedy clubs throughout the winter and spring, and working up a TV variety show. She should be more than ready for the Universal Amphitheatre.

SUNDAY, JUNE 25

More than 300 objects including furniture, film, paintings, sculpture and other media will be included in “The Work of Charles and Ray Eames: A Legacy of Invention” at LACMA. Known for their revolutionary designs and architecture, the Eameses built the now famous Case Study House #8 in Pacific Palisades, which will be open for rare glimpses during the exhibition. Through Sept. 10.

THURSDAY, JUNE 29

The YMF Debut Orchestra greets one of its former music directors and now the veteran conductor, Lawrence Foster, who leads Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony at the Hollywood Bowl.

Victor Vener begins his California Philharmonic summer season with “American Celebration,” with narrator Annette Bening and pianist Norman Krieger, at the Arboretum of Los Angeles County.

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THROUGHOUT JULY

The Comedy and Magic Club in Hermosa Beach celebrates its 22nd birthday with 22 comics, each performing five-minute routines on each of 22 nights. Expect a surprise major star or two to drop in on any given night.

SATURDAY, JULY 1

One of summer’s traditions, Shakespeare Festival/LA, celebrates its 17th season with Shakespeare’s comedy “Much Ado About Nothing,” with a nod to the screwball comedies of the 1930s and ‘40s. It’ll be presented at Burton Chace Park (July 1-2), Pershing Square (July 6-16) and South Coast Botanic Gardens (July 20-30).

TUESDAY, JULY 4

The Kaboom! Independence Day Celebration will be offering much more than fireworks. Carnival rides, pony rides, extreme sports demonstrations, musical entertainment, a classic car show and other family attractions make Fairplex in Pomona an attractive place to be on America’s birthday.

THURSDAY, JULY 6

Drew Carey, Ryan Stiles, Colin Mochrie, Wayne Brady and Greg Proops had been keeping their improv skills honed with Thursday-night performances of “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” at the Hollywood Improv before ABC’s taping schedule forced a hiatus. They are tentatively scheduled to return to the club on Thursday nights in July.

FRIDAY, JULY 7

Horton Foote has been working a long time on “The Day Emily Married,” set in 1956 in his often-dramatized town of Harrison, Texas. Lost World will produce the premiere at Whittier College’s Robinson Theatre, through July 30.

The Troubadour Theater Company’s wild mixtures of Shakespeare and pop culture continue with “A Midsummer Saturday Night’s Fever Dream,” through July 15 at Grove Theater Center, Festival Amphitheater, Garden Grove; also Aug. 18-26 in Grove Theater Center Theater on the Green, Muckenthaler Cultural Center, Fullerton.

SATURDAY, JULY 8

Broadway divas Patti LuPone and Audra McDonald join the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra and conductor John Mauceri in the Bowl.

Expect some foolhardy soul to cartwheel into the splits when the Jazz Tap Ensemble pays tribute to the ultimate flash act in tap history, the hyper-gymnastic Nicholas Brothers, at the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre in Hollywood.

The “piano prince of comedy,” Victor Borge, had to cancel a concert at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts in May for health reasons. That appearance has been rescheduled and now includes two performances.

The 1971 cult film “Harold and Maude,” about a melancholy young man and an 80-year-old free spirit, has been adapted for stage by Colin Higgins. With Ellen Geer as Maude, it runs through Sept. 30 at the Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum in Topanga.

MONDAY, JULY 10

Every weekday offers a festive bill of “World Treasures and Tales,” participatory performances hosted by storyteller David Prather and arts workshops for ages 3 to 9, in the 32nd annual “Open House at the Hollywood Bowl,” through Aug. 18.

TUESDAY, JULY 11

Opening the summer subscription season at the Hollywood Bowl, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Leonard Slatkin conducting, welcomes American singers Frederica von Stade and Samuel Ramey.

FRIDAY, JULY 14

“Palace of Gold & Light: Treasures From the Topkapi, Istanbul,” an exhibition of rare art and artifacts from Turkey--many of which have never left the palace before--shed light on the powerful Ottoman empire. Artifacts include jewelry, textiles, armor, musical instruments and illuminated manuscripts. At the San Diego Museum of Art through Sept. 24.

SATURDAY, JULY 15

The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum will be rocking hard when the wily veterans of Metallica lead Korn, Kid Rock, Powerman 5000 and System of a Down into this venerable football stadium.

After the diversion of the Eagles reunion in the mid-’90s, Don Henley returns as a solo headliner for the first time since 1993, playing the Universal Amphitheatre as he supports his new album, “Inside Job.” Also July 16.

SUNDAY, JULY 16

“Sunday Funday 2000,” at Bernard Milken Jewish Cultural Center in West Hills, features activities and concerts by some of the best children’s and family music talent around: Craig ‘n Co., the event producer; the Trout Fishing in America duo and recording artists Jessica Harper and Joanie Bartels.

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Harry Groener and Michael Learned are among the cast in a revival of Neil Simon’s “The Good Doctor,” based on Chekhov, at Pasadena Playhouse, playing through Aug. 20.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 19

The critically acclaimed musical play “James Joyce’s The Dead,” a resonant adaptation of the Irish writer’s short story about passions ignited at a family Christmas party, arrives at the Ahmanson Theatre Ends Sept. 3.

THURSDAY, JULY 20

Meet puppet greats Sid Krofft, Velma Dawson of “Howdy Doody” fame, the artists behind “Muppets Tonight,” “Beakman’s World,” “Being John Malkovich,” “Men in Black” and more in “Puppeteers of America’s Pacific Southwest Regional Festival” at the Luckman Fine Arts Complex. For pros and fans, adults and kids, with workshops and performances. Ends July 23.

SATURDAY, JULY 22

Live musical entertainment on two stages and a classic car show will be the main attractions at Glendale’s seventh annual Cruise Night on Brand Boulevard.

The West Coast premiere of “God’s Man in Texas,” by David Rambo, pits two men of God against each other in a “Baptist Super Bowl.” At the Old Globe Theatre’s Cassius Carter Centre Stage in San Diego through Aug. 26.

SUNDAY, JULY 23

The world premiere of “Sheridan,” David Grimm’s comedy-drama about 18th century playwright Richard Brinsley Sheridan, will be presented at La Jolla Playhouse through Aug. 20.

SATURDAY, JULY 29

Britney Spears has just released a new album, and if the blockbuster predictions come true at the cash registers, the Queen of Teen could be challenging her male counterparts ‘N Sync for the biggest-selling album of the year by the time she plays Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre July 29, and the Hollywood Bowl July 31.

Cornerstone Theater produces “An Antigone Story,” Shishir Kurup’s version set in 2010 and subtitled “A Greek Tragedy Hijack,” at the Subway Terminal Building downtown through Aug. 20.

Los Angeles’ landmark Bob Baker Marionette Theatre, a favorite with preschoolers and seniors alike for its colorful and cozy marionette shows, premieres a new musical, “Arabian Nights,” for all ages, created by puppet master-creator Bob Baker. Runs indefinitely.

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 2

Sonny Fortune and Frank Morgan are both major alto-saxophonists with original sounds. They will have a rare collaboration at the Jazz Bakery for five nights, playing heated straight-ahead jazz.

Conductor Eduard Schmieder brings back his I Palpiti Chamber Orchestra, first to Zipper Hall (Aug. 2), then to the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre on Aug. 4.

THURSDAY, AUG. 3

One of the most anticipated pop music reunions of the year will occur when Diana Ross and the Supremes (minus Mary Wilson) check into the Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim.

The first annual Costa Mesa Classic Jazz Festival, held at the Doubletree Hotel for four days and nights, features a weekend full of trad, classic jazz and Dixieland. Among the stars will be Jim Cullum’s Jazz Band, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, the Golden Eagles and Bobby Gordon’s trio with Rebecca Kilgore.

Lisa Loomer’s new play, “Expecting Isabel,” a satiric comedy about a once-blissful couple’s relentless quest to procreate, has its West Coast premiere at the Mark Taper Forum. Ends Aug. 27.

SATURDAY, AUG. 5

Notorious for inviting a friend to shoot him with a .22-caliber rifle as an exercise in performance art, Chris Burden next utilizes 5,000 toys in creating two miniature city-states at war in “Chris Burden: A Tale of Two Cities,” at the Orange County Museum of Art through Feb. 11.

No Doubt and Lit return to their old Orange County stomping grounds for a show at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre.

SUNDAY, AUG. 6

A group of 100 photographs chosen by legendary photographer John Gutmann to represent his documentary and experimental photographs will compose the survey “John Gutmann: Culture Shock,” at the Museum of Contemporary Art through Nov. 5.

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 9

The Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra will appear at the Hollywood Bowl for eight concerts with top-notch guest artists this summer. This particular night promises plenty of fireworks from tenors Joshua Redman and Michael Brecker.

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FRIDAY, AUG. 11

For its operatic presentation this summer, the Music Academy of the West presents Richard Strauss’ “Ariadne auf Naxos” in the Lobero Theatre in Santa Barbara. Also on Aug. 13.

SATURDAY, AUG. 12

The Foliage Theatre Project turns from Shakespeare to Aristophanes with its free production of “Lysistrata,” the classic comedy about sex and war, in Hancock Park, adjacent to LACMA and the Page Museum. Ends Oct. 8.

SUNDAY, AUG. 13

Alice Ripley, Rodney Gilfry and Judy Kaye appear with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra in a semi-staged concert performance of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Carousel.”

TUESDAY, AUG. 15

Enrique Diemecke conducts the L.A. Philharmonic, with pianist Nicolai Lugansky, in a Rachmaninoff program at the Hollywood Bowl.

THURSDAY, AUG. 17

Cal State L.A. hosts the Diablo Ballet, State Street Ballet, Pasadena Dance Theatre, Los Angeles Chamber Ballet, Inland Pacific Ballet and Francisco Martinez DanceTheatre in “BalletFest 2000” at the Luckman Fine Arts Complex. Also Aug. 18 and 19.

SATURDAY, AUG. 19

From the Big Bang to the Internet, and a remarkable number of historical points in between, Imagination Station reprises its three-actor, high-speed, tour-de-force family comedy, “History of the World . . . in 60 Minutes or Less,” at Miles Memorial Playhouse in Santa Monica’s Reed Park through Sept. 10.

TUESDAY, AUG. 22

Fusing contemporary German dance-theater with traditional African dance, the all-male Company Jant Bi of Senegal performs Suzanne Linke’s “Le Coq est Mort” in the Watercourt of California Plaza, downtown. Also Aug. 23.

Stefan Sanderling conducts the L.A. Philharmonic, with soloist Ronald Leonard playing the Elgar Cello Concerto. Young Sanderling concludes the Hollywood Bowl program with Gustav Holst’s “The Planets.”

FRIDAY, AUG. 25

Wear a golden earring (but only in your ear) when members of National Ballet of Spain embody “The Spirit of the Gypsies” at Hollywood Bowl. Also Aug. 26.

SATURDAY, AUG. 26

Colony Studio Theatre presents the first production in its new home at Burbank Center Stage with a revival of Ray Bradbury’s musical, “Dandelion Wine,” based on his semiautobiographical novel, with music and lyrics by Jeffrey Rockwell. An open-ended run.

Local companies representing the cultures of Peru, Bolivia, Guatemala, El Salvador and Nicaragua join the Mexico-oriented Danza Floricanto/USA and the pan-Latin Los Folkoristas for “Latino L.A.” at the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre in Hollywood.

FRIDAY, SEPT. 1

San Francisco Ballet dances the second act of “Swan Lake” during the “Tchaikovsky Spectacular” concert at Hollywood Bowl. Also Sept. 2 and 3

The Sweet and Hot Jazz Festival, held Sept. 1-5 at the LAX Marriott Hotel, has as many as eight stages operating at once. Among the many performers during this traditional/dixieland/swing/mainstream marathon will be Banu Gibson, Herb Jeffries, Dick Hyman, Jack Sheldon, Rebecca Kilgore and Bill Elliott’s Orchestra among countless others.

The sixth annual West Coast Jazz Party at the Irvine Mariott Hotel boasts an impressive list of performers in three days, including the Juggernaut, Ray Brown, Marlena Shaw, Monty Alexander, the Gerald Wilson Orchestra, Jeff Hamilton, Holly Hoffman, John Leitham, Paul Smith, Pete Christlieb, Russell Malone, Butch Miles, Ken Peplowski, Gerald Wiggins and Rickey Woodard.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 2

Although it’s not necessarily a big media magnet, “Ozzfest” usually attracts plenty of loud guitar devotees. This year Ozzy Osbourne has enlisted the services of Ministry, Pantera, Godsmack, Static-X, Incubus, P.O.D. and other heavy guitar exponents. It all comes together at Glen Helen Blockbuster Pavilion.

SUNDAY, SEPT. 3

Bill Cosby’s only major appearance in Southern California comes about once every two years at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts. This is the year.

A big attraction throughout Latin America, La Ley is looking to expand its following in the United States. The Chilean rock group will be plugging its most recent Uno album when it checks into the Greek Theatre.

The L.A. Baroque Orchestra returns to the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre in “Bachfest.”