all day: Art

Actor Martin Mull is a member of a rare breed of show business personalities who have developed second careers as visual artists--and won critical acclaim for their efforts. His latest exhibition, at Patricia Faure Gallery, features a new group of collage-like paintings that recall memories of his childhood in the Midwest with a twist of wry humor and angst. In strange combinations of images from children’s books, Bibles and bucolic landscapes, Mull suggests that you never know what you’ll discover on a walk through the heartland.

“Martin Mull,” Patricia Faure Gallery, Bergamot Station, 2525 Michigan Ave., Santa Monica, to Feb. 9. Regular schedule: Tuesdays-Saturdays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. (310) 449-1479.

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8pm

Pop Music

The Blind Boys of Alabama have been performing gospel music for more than 60 years, becoming an institution in the field, but they’re not letting grass grow under their feet. In addition to gospel classics, their latest album includes some songs by Tom Waits, Ben Harper and even the Rolling Stones (notably not “Sympathy for the Devil”). At Royce Hall they are joined by the Spirit of the Century Band, whose illustrious membership includes David Lindley, John Hammond and Charlie Musselwhite.

Blind Boys of Alabama, with the Spirit of the Century Band, Royce Hall, UCLA. 8 p.m. $20 to $35. (310) 825-2101.

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8pm

Jazz

The music of the big-band era will come alive Saturday night in Glendale. “A Celebration of Swing” will feature the music of Glenn Miller, Gene Krupa, Woody Herman and other greats of that time. Radio host Chuck Cecil will emcee the show, starring Page Cavanaugh, Beryl Davis, Johnny Vana and others.

“A Celebration of Swing,” Alex Theatre, 216 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale. 8 p.m. $20 to $30. (800) 414-2539.

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8pm

Musicals

Robert Goulet vaulted to Broadway stardom in 1960, playing Sir Lancelot in “Camelot” opposite Richard Burton’s King Arthur and Julie Andrews’ Queen Guinevere. Goulet’s big love ballad was “If Ever I Would Leave You.” He hasn’t left the spotlight since, forging a multifaceted career in films, television, touring musicals and 75 album releases. At 68, the native of Lawrence, Mass., also plies the lecture circuit as an advocate for early screening for prostate cancer. He had surgery for the disease in 1993. His concert, “Robert Goulet: The Man and His Music,” enlists his 35-year-old singer-actor son, Michael Goulet, as a performing sidekick.

Robert Goulet, Orange County Performing Arts Center, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. 8 p.m. $36 to $66. (714) 556-2787.

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8pm

Music Freebie

Two young-adult winners of a 2000 concerto competition, violinist Carrie Kennedy and cellist Joon Sung Jun, appear with the Culver City-Marina del Rey-Westchester Symphony, playing works by Glazunov and Tchaikovsky, respectively, under conductor Frank Fetta.

Culver City-Marina del Rey-Westchester Symphony, Veterans Memorial Auditorium, 4117 Overland Ave., Culver City. 8 p.m. Free. (310) 837-5757.

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8pm

Theater

Noted playwright John Steppling returns to the Los Angeles theater scene after a 10-year absence to direct the American premiere of his drama “Dog Mouth.” Exploring North America’s dispossessed, the play, presented by Padua Playwrights Productions, is about Methedrine-driven criminal hobos, a quest for the ultimate fighting dog and a young woman’s deal with the devil.

“Dog Mouth,” Evidence Room, 2220 Beverly Blvd., L.A. Thursdays-Sundays, 8 p.m. Ends Feb. 17. $20. (213) 381-7118.