BEST BETS Thursday 9/7

9pm Pop Music

Like fellow funk visionary James Brown, George Clinton has seen his rhythmic and philosophical innovations enshrined and appropriated by the hip-hop generation, so when the Mothership touches down in West Hollywood and Anaheim, even the younger fans should recognize the riffs.

* George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic, today at the House of Blues, 8430 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, 9 p.m. $35. (323) 848-5100. Also Friday at the Sun Theatre, 2200 E. Katella Ave., Anaheim, 8 p.m. $35. (714) 712-2700.

9pm

Pop Music

Molotov, the group that got rock en espan~ol rapping, remains one of the most popular acts in Latin rock. The band follows its recent stint on the Watcha 2000 tour with two nights at the Whisky.

* Molotov, today and Friday at the Whisky, 8901 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 9 p.m. $22.50. (310) 652-4202.

8:30&10:30pm

Jazz

Trombonist Wayne Henderson and tenor saxophonist Wilton Felder are the only remaining members of the original Jazz Crusaders, but they provide the essential horn sound for one of jazz’s stalwart outfits.

* The Jazz Crusaders, tonight through Sunday, Catalina Bar & Grill, 1640 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood. tonight-Saturday, 8:30 and 10:30 p.m.; Sunday, 7:15 and 9:15 p.m. $15-$18. Two-drink minimum (or dinner). (323) 466-2210.

7:30pm

Comedy

Comedian-actress Lydia Nicole performs her solo urban saga “Calling Up Papi,” an odyssey through her Spanish Harlem childhood during the 1960s and ‘70s.

* “Calling Up Papi,” Comedy Store, 8433 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. Thursdays, 7:30 p.m. Ends Oct. 12. $7, plus two-drink minimum. (818) 731-3518.

8pm

Theater

Theatre League presents the return of the ever-popular “Stomp,” the theatrical percussion extravaganza in which cast members find rhythm in everything from Zippo lighters and plastic bags to brooms and hubcaps.

* “Stomp,” Terrace Theater, Long Beach Performing Arts Center, 300 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach. Thursday-Friday, 8 p.m.; Saturday, 5 and 9 p.m.; Sunday, 3 and 7 p.m. Ends Sunday. $12-$42.50. (714) 740-2000, (213) 480-3232.

FREEBIE:

Work created by artists in residence at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center will be on view at 341 Gallery and Studio, 341 W. 7th St., San Pedro. Reception 6-9 p.m. Show continues through Sept. 27. (310) 831-0013.

FREEBIE Arthur Blythe, Bobby Bradford, Roberto Miranda, Nate Morgan and Don Littleton perform 5 to 8 p.m. at MOCA at the Geffen Contemporary, 152 N. Central Ave., Little Tokyo, downtown Los Angeles, (213) 626-6222.