8 pm: Jazz

Universally admired as one of the most adventurous pianists to arrive on the jazz scene in years, Brad Mehldau leads his trio in two appearances this weekend.

* Brad Mehldau Trio, Knitting Factory Hollywood, 7021 Hollywood Blvd. 8 p.m. $17 (guaranteed seating available with additional $15 food-drink minimum charge). (323) 463-0204. Also Saturday at Cal State Northridge Performing Arts Center, 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge. 8 p.m., $15. (818) 677-2488. 8:30pm

8 pm: Dance

Husband-and-wife experimental dance artists Eiko and Koma specialize in dreamlike transformations of time and physical reality. In their full-evening ritual “When Nights Were Dark,” the result is what the New York Times recently called “the season’s most imaginative production,” a life cycle performed to an a cappella score by Joseph Jennings and incorporating a revolving set that glows from within and assumes almost as many different shapes as the dancers themselves. “Time takes on a different meaning at an Eiko and Koma work,” commented Newsday, “and you have to be ready for that.” Translation: No flash, no fireworks, but a constant, unearthly shimmer.

* Eiko and Koma in “When Nights Were Dark,” Japan America Theatre, 244 S. San Pedro St., L.A., 8 p.m. Also Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m. $9 (students, seniors) to $28. (213) 680-3700.

8 pm: Theater

L.A. Theatre Works’ live radio theater series “The Play’s the Thing” presents “The Voysey Inheritance,” Harley Granville Baker’s early 20th century classic about a prosperous Edwardian family torn apart when the son learns that his family’s wealth was obtained over three generations of deceit and theft. Paxton Whitehead, Simon Templeman and Douglas Weston head a powerhouse cast of veterans from the British and American stage.

* “The Voysey Inheritance,” L.A. Theatre Works at Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., L.A., today and Friday at 8 p.m.; Sunday at 4 and 7:30 p.m. $32-$36. (310) 827-0889.

8:30 pm: Pop Music

Despite appearances during its sometimes tumultuous career, the Washington, D.C., hard-core band Bad Brains never really broke up. In fact it sort of grew up, evolving along the way into Soul Brains. Under that name, the quartet continues its trademark blend of punk, avant-garde and reggae.

* Soul Brains, the Key Club, 9039 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, 8:30 p.m. $20. (310) 786-1712.

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FREEBIE: The group Axiom of Choice, blending the sounds of Middle Eastern and Western music, performs at Santa Monica College’s Madison campus, 11th Street and Santa Monica Boulevard, 7 p.m. (310) 434-3431.