all day: Art

Provocative screen prints, lithographs and etchings by artists such as Vito Acconci, Lari Pittman and Robert Rauschenberg address American sociopolitical concerns in “American Stories: From the Personal to the Political,” opening Saturday at the Orange County Museum of Art. From modernist collages to conceptual works mingling image and text, these low-cost prints--long considered art for the people--examine inequity in America.

* “American Stories: From the Personal to the Political,” Orange County Museum of Art, 850 San Clemente Drive, Newport Beach. Tuesdays-Sundays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Ends July 1. Adults, $5; seniors and students, $4; children under 16, free. (949) 759-1122.

11 am: Family

Music Ensemble Galilei performs early Irish and Scottish music to accompany a reading of “Anna’s Garden,” a tale about a disfigured young girl who becomes caretaker of a royal garden. The program is presented by Music Center Education Division’s Young Arts series for ages 7 to 12.

* “Anna’s Garden,” Zipper Hall, Colburn School of Performing Arts, 200 S. Grand Ave., downtown L.A. 11 a.m. (213) 202-2287.

10 am: Movies

Another installment of American Independents, Laemmle’s series of low-budget films without distributors, begins Saturday at the Sunset 5. “Surrender Dorothy,” the series opener, is about a 27-year-old busboy who takes in a heroin addict and manipulates her into becoming his slave. Five more films, including “God’s Lonely Man,” “The Invisibles,” “Betty,” “Pants on Fire” and “Too Tired to Die,” complete the series. Each film screens at 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday for one weekend in West Hollywood and then moves the next weekend to the Monica 4-Plex in Santa Monica for Saturday-Sunday showings at 11 a.m.

* American Independents, Sunset 5, 8000 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood; Monica 4-Plex, 1332 Second St., Santa Monica, “Surrender Dorothy.” Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. $6 to $9. (323) 848-3500 or (310) 394-9741.

8 pm: Jazz

Sometimes legends aren’t celebrated until they’re long gone. That’s not the case with saxophonist Teddy Edwards, who’s the subject of a new documentary that will be screened prior to a performance by his large ensemble.

* Teddy Edwards & His 17-Piece Brasstring Ensemble, Luckman Fine Arts Complex, Cal State L.A., 5151 State University Drive, L.A. Screening at 5 p.m. ($5), concert at 8 p.m. ($25, $34). For both events, concert price plus $2.50. (323) 343-6600.

All day: Festival

The annual California Poppy Festival in Lancaster offers visitors an opportunity to appreciate local wildflowers, including the California poppy. But the two-day event also includes a wide variety of family activities, including 200 fine arts and craft vendors, a children’s carnival, helicopter rides, a flower and farmers’ market, environmental and Earth Day displays, antique cars, museum displays and various forms of musical entertainment from smooth jazz to rock and country artists.

* California Poppy Festival, Lancaster City Park, 43011 N. 10th St. West, Lancaster. Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. $6; ages 6 to 12 and 62 and over, $3. (661) 723-6077.

8 pm: Theater

Using magic, comedy and dance, master magician Tony Clark performs “Intimate Miracles.” The tale about a magician and a beautiful dancer is directed by Lance W. Lane.

* “Intimate Miracles,” Fremont Centre Theatre, 1000 Fremont Ave., South Pasadena. 8 p.m. Regular schedule: Thursdays to Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 3 and 7:30 p.m. Ends May 13. $16. (626) 441-5977; (888) 441-5979.

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FREEBIES: Families can take a trip to the stars at “Mission Intergalactic,” a night of space-themed interactive art installations held from 5 to 10 p.m. at the Armory Center for the Arts, 145 N. Raymond Ave., Pasadena. (626) 792-5101.

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An eighth edition of the Sonic Circuits Festival--electro-acoustic music and video--concludes at 4 p.m. at Los Angeles Harbor College, 1111 Figueroa Place, Wilmington, featuring works by Gustavo Vazquez, Bret Battey, Philip Mantione, David Jaggard and others. (310) 522-8235.