11:30 am: Family

Children’s recording artist and songwriter Peter Himmelman’s song titles reflect his trademark, off-the-wall sense of humor: “My Best Friend Is a Salamander,” “Larry’s a Sunflower Now,” “Herman the Big Oily Moose,” and “A World Where You Only Eat Candy.” But Himmelman’s flights of fancy (which can be quite soulful, too) aren’t just for kids. They have grown-up appeal, as well, making his family concert an all-ages affair.

* “Peter Himmelman in Concert,” Storyopolis, 116 N. Robertson Blvd., Plaza A (in the courtyard of the Pacific Theatres building), L.A. 11:30 a.m. Adults, $10; ages 3 and up, $5; under age 3, free. (310) 358-2500.

all day: Museums

Driving by movie shoots in L.A. on the way to work might demystify the filmmaking process, but you can’t help but notice a fleeting trick and think, “Oh, that’s how they do that!” Three exhibitions opening at UCLA’s Fowler Museum of Cultural History explore the details of creating and marketing such “movie magic”: “Making Faces, Playing God: Identity and the Art of Transformational Makeup,” “Marquee Madness: The Attack of the 50-Foot Poster” and “Death-Stalking, Sleep-Walking, Barbarian Ninja Terminators: Hand-Painted Movie Posters From Ghana.” The exhibitions will explore how films are advertised locally and in Ghana and how makeup can transform actors into aliens, among other things.

* “Making Faces, Playing God: Identity and the Art of Transformational Makeup,” “Marquee Madness: The Attack of the 50-Foot Poster” and “Death-Stalking, Sleep-Walking, Barbarian Ninja Terminators, Hand-Painted Movie Posters From Ghana.” UCLA Fowler Museum of Cultural History, 405 Hilgard Ave., Westwood. Ends July 29. Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, noon-5 p.m.; Thursday, noon-8 p.m. Adults, $5; seniors, students $3; UCLA students, $1; 17 and under, free. (310) 825-4361.

all day: Pen Show

In this age of ubiquitous e-mail, a handwritten note is all that more special. And pens, rather than becoming endangered species, are now one of the hottest collectibles around. From the newest, fanciest fountain pens to sleek vintage mechanical pencils, there will be something for every writing instrument enthusiast at the Los Angeles International Pen Show. Repairmen and appraisers will be on hand, too.

* Los Angeles International Pen Show, Manhattan Beach Marriott Hotel, at Rosecrans and Parkway, Manhattan Beach. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. $6. Under 12, free. (310) 546-7511.

2 pm: Music

All over the Thomas Guide in the last two weeks, Russian cellist Nina Kotova completes her visits to the Southland with a recital at Pepperdine University. Trained at conservatories in Moscow and Germany, Kotova took years off from her musical career to work as an international model in the 1990s, resuming her playing with a recital in London in 1996. Her Raitt Hall solo performance will include music for cello alone by Bach, Reger, herself and Gaspar Cassado.

* Nina Kotova plays on the Stotsenberg Recital Series, Raitt Recital Hall at Pepperdine University, 24255 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu. 2 p.m. $20. (310) 506-4522.

4 pm: Family

The Discovery Science Center kicks off a series of space-themed presentations by the Orange County Space Society, held on the third Sunday of every month through May. These multimedia presentations by experts will revolve around the topic of space exploration. On Sunday, Chuck Donaldson, a member of the crew that tracked the Apollo rocket missions to the moon, will offer a presentation that includes a behind-the-scenes look at a day in the life of a tracking crew.

* Space-Themed Presentation, Discovery Science Center, 2500 N. Main St., Santa Ana. 4-5 p.m. The series continues the third Sunday of every month through May. A special program will be held April 7-8 instead of April 15, Easter Sunday. Discovery Science Center admission: $9.50; ages 3-17 and 55 and older, $7.50. (714) 542-CUBE.

8 pm: Pop Music

So Shawn Colvin’s contributions to “The Simpsons” and to Sting’s song in “The Emperor’s New Groove” aren’t enough to tide you over until the March 27 release of her first album of new material since 1996? Well, there’s a good chance you can get a taste of that music when the singer-songwriter comes to the Coach House.

* Shawn Colvin at the Coach House, 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano. 8 p.m. $26.50. (949) 496-8927.

7 pm: Pop Music

The Red Nation Celebration, which began five years ago in Santa Fe, N.M., is designed to bring contemporary American Indian music to a wider audience. Among the “Alter-Native” and traditional performers at the Palace are Red Hawk, the Mankillers MasterPeace and Julian B.

* Red Nation Celebration at the Palace, 1735 N. Vine St., L.A. 7 p.m. $18 in advance; $20 at door. (323) 462-3000.

*

FREEBIE: Join Friends of the Los Angeles River on a river walk through Studio City. Meet at the Laurel Grove Footbridge at Laurel Grove Avenue and Valleyheart Drive, 4:30 p.m. (213) 381-3570.