all day: Art

“Painted Worlds: Argentina, Eduardo Esquivel, Ana Fabry and Mario Perez,” a new exhibition focusing on the contemporary paintings of three mid-career Argentine painters, opens at the Museum of Latin American Art in Long Beach. The exhibition explores the connection between art and environment through the most recent work of each artist. * “Painted Worlds: Argentina, Eduardo Esquivel, Ana Fabry and Mario Perez,” Museum of Latin American Art, 628 Alamitos Ave., Long Beach. Tuesdays to Thursdays, 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Fridays, 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sundays, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Ends Dec. 2. $7; students and seniors, $5; children 12 and younger, free. Artist Mario Perez and exhibition organizer Jean Skidmore will lead an informal discussion on the exhibition at 1 p.m. Saturday. (562) 437-1689.

all day: Comedy

Improvisational players from around the state will gather in Ventura to display their impulsive antics in the 12-hour comedy marathon Improvathon. The event is a fund-raiser for Ventura Area TheatreSports, which in recent years has played host to the California State TheatreSports Championships. The event will offer varying improv formats, from team competitions and spontaneous musicals to individual performances. Festivities will culminate in a Masters of the Galaxy Competition.* Improvathon, Livery Theatre, 34 N. Palm St., Ventura. Saturday, noon to 8 p.m. and 8 p.m. to midnight; $10 for each session. (805) 643-5701.

8 pm: Dance

On Oct. 14, locally based teacher, choreographer and company leader Lula Washington will receive an American Choreography Award as educator of the year. But you can sample her educational expertise this weekend, when her much-loved Youth Dance Ensemble performs on the same program as her parent company, the Lula Washington Dance Theatre. In addition, her daughter--Tamica Washington-Miller--will add more evidence with her own new choreography. As for Lula W. herself, she’s set to premiere “Olm,” to music by John Coltrane. Lula Washington Dance Theatre and Youth Dance Ensemble, John Anson Ford Amphitheatre, 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East, Hollywood. 8 p.m. $16 to $20. (323) 461-3673.

all day: Pop Music

The 22nd annual Long Beach Blues Festival has some rock ‘n’ roll and classic soul up its sleeve too, with Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley joining forces on the Saturday bill and Percy Sledge, Denise LaSalle and Solomon Burke among Sunday’s performers.

* Long Beach Blues Festival, Cal State Long Beach Athletic Field, 1250 Bellflower Blvd., Long Beach, 10:30 a.m. $33 in advance, $40 at the door, $60 for two-day pass. (562) 985-1686. Also Sunday.

6:30 pm: Pop Music

Static-X’s blend of rock and electronics comes out in a relentless barrage on their current album, “Machine,” but the L.A.-based mayhem-mongers have a reputation for upping the ante even higher on stage.

* Static-X, with Apex Theory and Deadsy, the Palace, 1735 N. Vine St., L.A., 6:30 p.m. $18.50. (323) 462-3000).

all day: Festival

The 29th edition of the touring Harvest Festival, featuring booths selling such items as gourmet foods, clothing, artwork, crafts and furniture, comes to Long Beach this weekend. The Harvest Festival will also visit Ventura, Anaheim and Pomona later this fall.

* Harvest Festival, Long Beach Convention Center, 300 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday and Sunday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday. $4 to $8. (800) 321-1213.

Freebie

* Rarely seen photographs of crime scenes, training aids and ceremonial events will be displayed in “To Protect and Serve: The LAPD Archives--100 Years of Photography” at Fototeka, 1549 Echo Park Ave., L.A. Through Sept. 30. Fridays through Sundays, 1 to 5 p.m. (213) 250-4686.