BEST BETS THURSDAY 10/12

8pm Dance

Founded 25 years ago in the embattled state of Manipur in remote northeast India, Ratan Thiyam’s Chorus Repertory Theatre has created a series of epic productions using the history and myths of India to illuminate the contemporary world. Never before seen in America, Thiyam’s 1996 “Uttar-Priyadarshi” (The Final Beatitude) turns the life of the 2nd Century BC emperor Ashoka into a metaphor for the agonies of war--the status quo in Manipur for decades--and a visionary quest for peace.

* Ratan Thiyam’s Chorus Repertory Theatre in “Uttar-Priyadarshi,” Royce Hall, UCLA campus, Westwood. 8 p.m. Also Friday, 8 p.m. $9 (students) to $35. (310) 825-2101.

8pm

Theater

L.A. Theatre Works premieres satirist Harry Shearer’s comedy “Twilight’s Last Gleaming,” as part of the radio theater company’s political double bill. Shearer directs and voices offstage characters in the piece, which is about declining voter turnout. Other actors are Ed Begley Jr., Fred Willard, Arye Gross, Judyann Elder and Daniel Passer. Also on the bill: “Atwater: Fixin’ to Die,” Robert Myers’ solo piece about the late controversial political strategist Lee Atwater, directed by Richard Masur, starring Gregory Itzin.

* “Twilight’s Last Gleaming” and “Atwater: Fixin’ to Die,” Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. Today-Friday, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 4 and 7:30 p.m. $32 to $36. (310) 827-088 Pop Music

Rino^cero^se isn’t deliberately misspelling “rhinoceros.” The French band took its name from the title of a painting by a psychiatric patient, which reflects its leaders’ day jobs as psychologists as well as the group’s outsiderstance. Based in Montpelier rather than musical hot spot Paris, they build their electronic sound on a bedrock of guitar music, and they bring it to the stage with a highly visual show and a nine-piece band.

* Rino^cero^se, the Palace, 1735 N. Vine St., Hollywood. 8 p.m. $14. (323) 462-3000.

7:15pm

Pop Music

Christina Aguilera hasn’t been singing material from her new Spanish-language album on her current tour, but the best new artist Grammy winner does have a go at Free’s vintage rock anthem “All Right Now” in her set.

* Christina Aguilera, with Destiny’s Child, Soul Decision, Christian Davis, Universal Amphitheatre, 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City. 7:15 p.m. $37.50. (818) 622-4440.

Freebie

Cara Mullio moderates a discussion on downtown urban expansion between Southern California Institute of Architecture director Neil M. Denari and developer Tom Gilmore. 7 p.m. UCLA Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Westwood. (310) 443-7000.