8 pm: Music

Keith Brion, a John Philip Sousa look-alike and longtime specialist in the American bandmaster’s music, brings his gifts and Sousa’s music to the podium of the Long Beach Symphony Pops, in Long Beach Arena. The concert begins at 8 p.m., but the arena is open for picnicking at 6:30 p.m.

* The Long Beach Symphony Pops, conducted by Keith Brion, at Long Beach Arena, 300 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, 8 p.m. $18-$68. (562) 436-3203.

All day: Festival

The Los Angeles Times Festival of Books is a celebration of the word on a scale that, perhaps, only a city like Los Angeles can appreciate. Now in its sixth year, the festival has signings, readings, storytelling, panels and more booths than Election Day. The event sprawls over the UCLA campus for two days and includes appearances by Mary Higgins Clark, E.L. Doctorow, Diane Johnson, Elmore Leonard, Jared Diamond, Ray Bradbury, Sandra Tsing Loh, Michael Connelly, Jane Smiley and hundreds of others.

* Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, UCLA campus, Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free, but tickets required for indoor panels. Tickets available at all Ticketmaster locations. Information only: (800) LATIMES, Ext. 7BOOK or https://www.latimes.com/events/fob.

2 pm: Music

Guido Lammell conducts the Topanga Philharmonic in its annual, outdoor “Concert Under the Oaks” at the Will Geer Theatricum in Topanga. Besides the al fresco performance by the orchestra, there will be food for sale (or bring a picnic), crafts booths and activities for children.

* “Concert Under the Oaks” takes place at the Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum, 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga, 2 p.m. $6-$17. (310) 455-3129.

8 pm: Theater

In “Out of Order,” a farce written by, directed by and starring Ray Cooney, a tryst between a conservative member of the British parliament and the opposition leader’s secretary goes wildly awry. Opening night is part of a “Starry, Starry Night” gala celebrating theater in North Hollywood. The gala includes a salute to Ann Miller, Joseph Campanella and Beverly Garland, plus dinner and a choice of performances on 15 stages.

* “Out of Order,” El Portal Center for the Arts, 5269 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, 8 p.m. Regular schedule: Tuesday and Wednesday, 7 p.m.; Thursday and Friday, 8 p.m.; Saturday, 4 and 8 p.m.; Sunday, 2 and 7 p.m. Ends May 20. $30 and $45; (800) 233-3123. “Starry, Starry Night” gala, $75; (818) 886-3026.

all day: Art

First the film, now the exhibition: “Les Chiens Andalous,” a new show of paintings and works on paper curated by influential artist Manuel Ocampo, opens Saturday at Track 16 Gallery. The exhibition will highlight works by Ocampo and Spanish artists Patricio Cabrera, Chema Cobo and Curro Gonzalez that are tinged with what Ocampo calls “Spanish Surrealism’s twisted logic.”

* “Les Chiens Andalous,” Track 16 Gallery, 2525 Michigan Ave., C-1, Santa Monica. Ends June 23. Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Free. (310) 264-4678.

8 pm: Jazz

It’s a rare opportunity to see two giant talents on the same bill when saxophonist Yusef Lateef and pianist Randy Weston are paired for this show--another example of the jazz presence being built at Cal State L.A. by flutist and faculty member James Newton.

* Yusef Lateef and Randy Weston, Luckman Theatre, Cal State Los Angeles, 5151 State University Drive, L.A., 8 p.m. $25 and $30. (323) 343-6600.

all day: Horticulture

Spring fever hits San Marino this weekend as thousands of blooming roses offer horticulturists fragrant diversion at the two-day Rose Festival at the Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens. Visitors can take guided tours of the 3-acre Rose Garden, which includes 1,500 different varieties and almost 4,000 individual plants, informal talks about rose care and culture, flower-arranging demonstrations, plant sales and English tea in the Rose Garden Tea Room with reservations.

* Rose Festival, Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens, 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino. Saturday-Sunday, 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Free with museum admission: Adults, $8.50; seniors, $8; students 12-18, $6; free for children under 12. Tea room reservations are required: (626) 683-8131. Festival information: (626) 405-2141.

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FREEBIE

The Santa Monica Festival 2001: A Celebration of Our Community Roots includes music, crafts and environmental workshops at Clover Park, 2600 Ocean Park Blvd., Santa Monica. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. (310) 458-8350.