all day: Art

“The Road to Aztlan: Art From a Mythic Homeland,” opening Sunday at LACMA, traces the links that are evidence of deep cultural connections between people and cultures of Mexico and the American Southwest. The exhibition features more than 250 rare examples of art and artifacts from the pre-Colombian, colonial and contemporary eras spanning 200 B.C. to 2000.

* “The Road to Aztlan: Art from a Mythic Homeland,” Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 5905 Wilshire Blvd., L.A. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, noon-8 p.m.; Fridays, noon to 9 p.m.; Saturdays-Sundays, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Ends Aug. 26.. Adults, $7; seniors and students, $5; children 6-17, $1; children 5 and under free. (323) 857-6000.

2 pm: Dance/Family

Margery Williams’ poignant children’s classic, “The Velveteen Rabbit,” comes to life in a fanciful ballet production for children and adults, presented by ODC/San Francisco’s “Family Matters: Story and Song Series,” with colorful costumes and the music of Benjamin Britten.

* “The Velveteen Rabbit,” Carpenter Center for the Performing Arts, Cal State Long Beach, 6200 Atherton St., Long Beach. Sunday at 2 p.m. $15 to $20. (562) 985-7000.

all day: Exhibit

Featuring rare items from the Disney family and company, “Walt Disney--The Man and His Magic” includes personal items and archival material from this pioneer of family entertainment. Disney’s elementary school desk, his prototype Autopia vehicle and an array of original artwork and animation cells related to Snow White, Mickey Mouse and other characters are highlights of the exhibit.

* “Walt Disney--The Man and His Magic,” Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, 40 Presidential Drive, Simi Valley. Open daily, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Ends Sept. 4. $5; 62 and over, $3; 15 and under, free. (800) 410-8354.

5 pm: Theater

Warren Leight’s 1999 Tony Award-winning play (and a Pulitzer Prize finalist), “Side Man,” about one man’s obsession with jazz and the effects it has on his wife and son, has its Southern California premiere. It stars Mare Winningham and Dennis Christopher and is directed by Andrew J. Robinson.

* “Side Man,” Pasadena Playhouse, 39 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena, 5 p.m. Regular schedule: Tuesdays-Fridays, 8 p.m.; Saturdays, 5 and 9 p.m.; Sundays, 2 and 7 p.m. Ends June 17. $15-$42.50. (626) 356-PLAY.

8 pm: Pop Music

Two generations of Mexican romantic pop join forces at the Arrowhead Pond, where the incomparable Juan Gabriel shares the bill with young heartthrob Christian Castro.

* Juan Gabriel and Christian Castro at the Arrowhead Pond, 2695 E. Katella Ave., Anaheim. 8 p.m. $45 to $75. (714) 704-2500.

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FREEBIE:

Conductor Alexander Treger closes the 36th American Youth Symphony season with a Russian program in Royce Hall, UCLA, at 8 p.m. Cellist Yao Zhao will play Tchaikovsky’s Variations on a Rococo Theme, and the orchestra will offer two pieces by Liadov as well as the Symphony No. 5 by Shostakovich. (310) 234-8355.