7 pm: Theater

John Ritter heads the cast in Rubicon Theatre Company’s production of “J for J,” based on a journal kept by the late Hollywood actor Barry Sullivan. The autobiographical drama, by Sullivan’s daughter, theater director and writer Jenny Sullivan, is a daughter’s emotional journey revolving around her complex relationship with her developmentally disabled older brother.* “J for J,” Rubicon Theatre Company at the Laurel, 1006 E. Main St., Ventura , 7 p.m. Regular schedule: Wednesdays-Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 7 p.m.; Wednesdays, Saturdays-Sundays, 2 p.m. Ends Nov. 4. $23 to $38; opening gala benefit, $150. (805) 667-2900.

noon: Benefit

Those characters on soap operas can stab ‘em in the back with the worst of them. But when the same actors are out of character, they can pull together. The benefit Daytime Unites! is a fund-raiser for a scholarship fund for the children of those killed in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. A $50 donation gets soap fans a chance to mingle with cast members from “The Young and the Restless,” “Guiding Light,” “General Hospital,” “Days of Our Lives,” “One Life to Live,” “All My Children,” “Passions,” “Port Charles,” “The Bold and the Beautiful” and “As the World Turns.”* Daytime Unites!, noon to 4 p.m. at the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, 5220 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. $50. (323) 692-7110.

8 pm: Poetry Slam

If you think that there’s an unfair matchup in the Beyond Baroque Teen/Adult Poetry Slam,you don’t know how unpredictable and lively these events can be. Novelist Aimee Bender will lead the Dead Poets, who perform works from the canon. The L.A. All-Stars--featuring professional writers Jeffery McDaniel, June Melby and Brendan Constantine--will then take on the L.A. Teen Slam Team. But don’t count the kids out. They’ve got Marjorie Light, who publishes her own ‘zine, Jorge Monterossa, a national teen slam champ, and Christine Victorin, a member of the national teen slam ensemble. DJ Al Jackson will provide the jazzy hip-hop soundtrack. Get ready to tongue rumble.* Beyond Baroque Teen/Adult Poetry Slam, California Plaza, 350 S. Grand Ave., downtown L.A., 8 p.m. Free. (213) 687-2159.

8 pm: Theater

“North on South Central Ave.” re-creates the L.A. jazz scene of the 1940s and ‘50s. The jazz musical, a collaboration between Larry Robinson, Tu’Nook and Karla DuPree Klark, features live music, cabaret dancers and drama, set in a re-creation of South-Central’s famous ‘40s nightspot Club Alabam’.* “North on South Central Ave.,” Madrid Theatre, 21622 Sherman Way, Canoga Park, 8 p.m. Also Sunday, 3 p.m. $18 to $21. (818) 347-9938.

all day: Leisure

“I can see by your outfit that you are a cowboy ... “ So goes the old folk song “Streets of Laredo” that comes to mind with the new exhibition “How the West Was Worn” at the Autry Museum of Western Heritage in Griffith Park. The show explores the history of Western wear and its influences, traditions and impact on American fashion. More than 150 items of finely crafted dresses, skirts, shirts, jackets, vests, headwear and jewelry will be displayed.

* “How the West was Worn,” Autry Museum of Western Heritage, 4700 Western Heritage Way, Griffith Park, Tuesdays to Sundays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursdays 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Ends Jan 21. Free admission Thursdays, 4 to 8 p.m. $3 to $7.50.

2 pm: Theater

Using darkness as its canvas, the nationally touring, high-tech “Luma, Theatre of Light” is a visual family spectacular, combining illuminated objects, trapeze dance, juggling, rhythmic gymnastics, puppetry, magic and physics presented in three “suites”: “Natural Light,” “Artificial Light” and “Metaphysical Light.” * “Luma, Theatre of Light,” Beckman Auditorium, Caltech, 332 S. Michigan Ave., Pasadena, 2 p.m. (Also Sunday, at Escondido Performing Arts Center, 2 p.m.) $5 to $10. (626) 395-4652, (888) 222-5832.

Freebie

* The Los Angeles Farmers Market’s annual Fall Festival features entertainment, music, craft demonstrations,children’s activities and face painting, 6333 W. 3rd St., L.A., Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (323) 933-9211.