8pm Theater

8pm Theater

Even in the 19th century, it was man against technology. The Oasis Theatre Company explores one man-versus-machine struggle in the new musical “Steel: John Henry & the Shaker.” Leon Martell and composer Penka Kouneva start with the myth of the post-Civil War “steel drivin’” hero--who beat a steam drill in a race through the mountain--and then look at his influence on generations of working men. The show rings with work songs and the sounds of the railroad, while choreographer Ameenah Kaplan--an original “Stomp” cast member--has given it a physical charge.

“Steel: John Henry & the Shaker,” [Inside] the Ford, John Anson Ford Theatre Complex, 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East, Hollywood. 8 p.m. Regular schedule: Thursdays-Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 3 p.m. Ends Feb. 24. $15 to $20. (323) 461-3673.

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7pm Pop Music

Warm up for Sunday morning testifying in the company of some of gospel music’s biggest stars: Shirley Caesar, Kirk Franklin, Yolanda Adams and Fred Hammond. They’re joined by Destiny’s Child, Faith Evans and others at the taping of BET’s second annual “Celebration of Gospel.” The show can be seen on the cable channel Feb. 19.

“Celebration of Gospel,” Wiltern Theatre, 3790 Wilshire Blvd., L.A., 7 p.m. $30. (213) 380-5005.

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all day Pop Music

Rhino Records, which opened as a store in 1973 and later spawned the record business’ preeminent reissues label, is still cooking as a retail outlet. The opening of its new branch, a few blocks from its Westwood outlet, is being marked by “Super Dias de Los Rhinos,” a two-day event featuring music (Peter Case, mariachi and more), masked Mexican wrestlers and one of Rhino’s famed parking lot sales.

“Super Dias de Los Rhinos,” 2028 Westwood Blvd., Westwood. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free. Also Sunday. (310) 474-8685.

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8pm Elvis Sighting

Raymond Michael Hebel, an Elvis impersonator called one of the best by no less an authority than Dick Clark, will reprise his popular “A Tribute to the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll” at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza. The 14th annual event raises funds for performing arts programs at Cal Lutheran University, plus a performing arts scholarship in Hebel’s name. This is a sizable production with a 24-piece band and seven-voice choir, plus all the lights and costume glitz the King demands.

Raymond Michael Hebel in “A Tribute to the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll,” Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, Kavli Theatre, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks, 8 p.m. $10 to $35. (805) 493-3170 or 449-2787.

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all day Art

Celebrating its 58th year at Scripps College in Claremont, “Ceramic Annual 2002” is the longest-running exhibition of clay art in the U.S., but it always offers a fresh take on the subject--be it functional vessels, expressive portraiture or formal exploration. This year’s show, curated by artist Nancy Selvin, focuses on the creative use of clay as a medium of sculptural abstraction in the work of a dozen contemporary artists from the U.S. and England.

“Ceramic Annual 2002,” Ruth Chandler Williamson Gallery, Scripps College, 1030 Columbia Ave., Claremont. Saturday to April 1. Regular schedule: Wednesdays to Sundays, 1 to 5 p.m. Free. (909) 607-3397.