8pm DanceThe upward mobility of the Southland’s...

8pm Dance

The upward mobility of the Southland’s Diavolo Dance Theater represents a success story almost as remarkable as the troupe’s gymnastic prowess. From alternative spaces such as the studio theater in Barnsdall Park and the small stage at Highways Performance Space in Santa Monica, Jacques Heim’s fearless ensemble has moved into major venues across the country. There’s even a rumor that a 2003 show is planned at the Los Angeles Music Center. In the meantime, a debut in Cerritos allows Heim a big stage to showcase some of his most startling collaborative pieces. Besides the premiere of “Capture(d),” look for the dizzying two-part “Trajectoire” and the revised “D2RI” and “D2RII.” (“D2R” reportedly translates as “descent to return,” but don’t ask what that means.) A special one-hour family program is scheduled on Saturday afternoon.

Diavolo Dance Theater, Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, 12700 Center Court Drive, Cerritos, 8 p.m. Also Saturday, 2 p.m. (special family show) and 8 p.m. $20 to $30. (562) 916-8500.

all day Movies

No wonder the tech sector tanked. “feardotcom,” a film in which four people die within 48 hours of logging on to a particular Web site, explores the Internet’s (very) dark side. Stephen Dorff stars as a police detective who teams with public health official Natscha McElhone to solve the mystery in the thriller from director William Malone (“House on Haunted Hill”). Stephen Rea also stars.

“feardotcom,” rated R for violence including grisly images of torture, nudity and language, opens Friday in general release.

8pm Pop Music

Tempestuous, soul-scraping hard rock isn’t just for boys anymore. Singer-writer Tairrie B has made her mark in L.A. under a variety of names, including Manhole and Tura Satana, but it looks as if My Ruin might be the one to stick. The group comes off the recent Kittie tour with a headline date on the Sunset Strip.

My Ruin, with Plagued, Orkest, others, the Whisky, 8901 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, 8 p.m. $13. (310) 652-4202.

4pm Jazz

This weekend’s West Coast Jazz Party will say goodbye to summer with some decidedly straight-ahead jazz . Curtis Stigers, Shelly Berg, the Terry Gibbs Dream Band, Paul Smith, Bill Watrous, Jeff Hamilton, John Pisano and Gerald Wiggins are just some of the performers assembled for this three-day festival happening in Irvine.

West Coast Jazz Party, Irvine Marriott Hotel, 18000 Von Karman Ave., Irvine. The music starts Friday at 4 p.m., Saturday at noon and Sunday at 4 p.m. $30 to $285. (949) 759-5003.

8pm Theater

A 24-year-old Hasidic man flees his Crown Heights home for Los Angeles when his mother and his beloved rabbi die on the same day, and his journey to a new life takes a secular, comic and soul-baring turn in “The Emissary,” a world premiere drama by Harry Karp.

“The Emissary,” Working Stage Theatre, 1516 N. Gardner St., West Hollywood, 8 p.m. Regular schedule: Fridays and Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 2 p.m. Ends Oct. 6. $15. (310) 230-1784.

8pm Dance

Dancer-choreographer Michael Mizerany brings his latest Neo-Expressionist dance drama (the fourth at various theaters this summer) to the Los Angeles Theatre Center downtown. In his “Edgewalkers,” his 10-member company, Mizeranydance, explores the 19th century bigotry that still poisons contemporary life. Expect Mizerany’s modern dance--honed through years of working for Bella Lewitzky, Loretta Livingston and John Malashock--to be embellished with influences from cabaret and old-fashioned melodrama. Nudity is also on the menu, so leave the children at home.

Mizeranydance in “Edgewalkers,” Los Angeles Theatre Center, 514 S. Spring St., downtown L.A., 8 p.m. Also Saturday, 3 and 8 p.m.; Sunday, 3 p.m. Repeats Sept. 6 to 8, same hours. $16 to $20. (213) 473-0660.

Midnight Movies

School’s back in session, so Cool Weekend Late Shows return to Flagship Theatres’ University Village 3, across from USC. Screening Friday and Saturday nights at midnight this week is the recent Japanese anime, “Metropolis.” Basing the film on Osamu Tezuka’s 1949 manga, director Taro Rin mixes visual influences ranging from Fritz Lang’s 1927 “Metropolis” to “Blade Runner” and “Akira.” Upcoming films in the series include “The Salton Sea,” “La Femme Nikita,” “The Last Waltz” and “Dogtown and Z-Boys.”

Cool Weekend Late Shows, University Village 3, 3323 S. Hoover St., across from USC, L.A. Friday and Saturday, midnight, “Metropolis.” $5.25 to $7.75. (213) 748-6321.