8 pm: Theater

Tim Robbins, co-founder of Hollywood’s Actors’ Gang theater company, has returned to helm the group as its artistic director. He will direct its production of “Mephisto,” Klaus Mann’s novel adapted by Arianne Mnouchkine, about actors caught up in the turmoil of 1920s Germany. * “Mephisto,” Actors’ Gang Theatre, 6209 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood, 8 p.m. Also Nov. 10, 14-16, 24, 28-30, Dec. 8, 12-14, at 8 p.m.; Sunday and Nov. 11, 25, Dec. 9, at 2 and 8 p.m. In repertory with “The Seagull.” $15-$20, except Wednesday, pay-what-you-can.

all day: Festival

Need a little serenity? A touch of nature, but nothing too wild? The Descanso Gardens Japanese Garden Festival might be just the thing. The Japanese garden is just starting to get its fall color. The two-day festival includes instruction on growing Japanese garden plants and chrysanthemums, which are also in bloom. Cultural activities include dance, taiko drumming, a Japanese tea service and a performance by Kokin-gumi, whose three members play traditional and contemporary music on traditional Japanese instruments. Suiseki stones-natural stones polished by water or wind-will be on exhibit in the Minka, the living space in the Japanese Garden.* Descanso Gardens Japanese Garden Festival, 1418 Descanso Drive, La Canada-Flintridge. 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. $5; $3 seniors and students; $1 ages 5-12; 4 and younger free. (818) 952-4400.

7:30 pm: Theater

“Moving On,” the new revue of Stephen Sondheim songs, conceived by British director David Kernan as a 70th birthday tribute to the composer/lyricist, makes its U.S. premiere, starring two Sondheim Broadway veterans: Teri Ralston and Ann Morrison, plus David Engel, Tami Tappan and Christopher Carothers.* “Moving On,” Laguna Playhouse, Moulton Theatre, 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, 7:30 p.m. Regular schedule: Tuesdays-Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 7 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays, 2 p.m. Dark Nov. 22. Ends Dec. 2. $42-$49; opening night, $80. (949) 497-2787.

8 pm: Pop Music

The most recent great hope for indie rock, At the Drive-In, broke up before it could meet all the expectations, but now another Texas band is getting anointed as the new one-to-watch. And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead has hooked up with Interscope records, and will release an album next year. Here’s a chance to catch one of its notoriously frenzied shows before the buzz gets too big.

* And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead, with Attack Formation, Federation X, the Troubadour, 9081 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, 8 p.m. $12.50. (310) 276-6168. Also Sunday at the Fold at the Silverlake Lounge, 2906 Sunset Blvd., Silver Lake, 3 p.m. $10. (323) 666-2407.

all day: Leisure

More than 150 Native American artists will show and sell their work--jewelry, pottery, baskets, clothing, sculptures, paintings and much more--at the Southwest Museum’s 11th Annual Intertribal Marketplace. This year’s event also offers music and dance performances, storytelling, a children’s craft fair and traditional food, including tamales and fry bread. The featured artist is Michael Horse, whose jewelry and paintings are inspired by his Zuni/Mescalero, Apache/Yaqui roots.* 11th Annual Intertribal Marketplace, Southwest Museum, 234 Museum Drive, L.A., 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Also Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Adults, $8; seniors and students, $6; children under 6, free. (323) 221-2164, Ext. 231.

Freebies

Ariel Zuniga, son and biographer of the late Mexican sculptor Francisco Zuniga, will discuss his father’s work and lead a tour of the works at Jack Rutberg Gallery, 357 N. La Brea Ave., L.A. Ariel Zuniga will sign copies of his book, “Francisco Zuniga: A Catalogue Raisonne,” which documents the artist’s work. 7:30 p.m. (323) 938-5222.

*

Pulitzer Prize-winning Art Spiegelman (“Maus” ) will appear for a slide show, discussion and book signing at Storyopolis, 116 N. Robertson Blvd., L.A., 6 to 8 p.m. Original art from “Little Lit: Folklore and Fairytale Funnies,” edited by Spiegelman and Francoise Mouly, is on display. (310) 358-2500, (310) 358-2512.