8pm TheaterAlfred Molina, Jill Gascoine, Neil Vipond,...

8pm Theater

Alfred Molina, Jill Gascoine, Neil Vipond, Greg Mullavey and Stephanie Zimbalist star in “The Cherry Orchard,” a co-production of Circus Theatricals and the Odyssey Theatre, directed by Jack Stehlin. Chekhov’s comedy is about a debt-ridden landowner in turn-of-the-century Russia and her family, who face the auctioning off of her estate and the end of their way of life.

“The Cherry Orchard,” Odyssey Theatre, 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., West L.A. Wednesdays to Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 7 p.m. (June 23, July 21, 2 p.m. only.) Ends July 28. $23.50 to $19.50; pay what you can June 20, July 7. (310) 477-2055.

all day Family

Calling all budding Nancy Drews and Hardy Boys. Here’s a chance to conduct your own murder investigation and learn the basics of forensic science. “Whodunit? The Science of Solving Crime” is an interactive experience and exhibit presented by the Discovery Science Center. Participants--it’s best for ages 8 and up--will learn fingerprinting, listen to eyewitnesses and police experts, and can take in a live show, “Get a Clue,” as they attempt to solve the crime.

“Whodunit? The Science of Solving Crime,” Discovery Science Center, 2500 N. Main St., Santa Ana. Open Saturday through Sept. 8, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. “Get a Clue” shows: Saturdays and Sundays, 11:30 a.m., 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. $8.50 to $11. Children younger than 2, free. (714) 542-2823.

all day Leisure

The daring-tongued have a chance to sear their taste buds twice at the Long Beach Chili Cook-Off this weekend. The Salsa Challenge and the inaugural Buffalo Wing Contest arrive Saturday, and the 21st annual Chili Cook-Off hits Sunday. Reservoirs of beer and water are available to douse the flames, but outside drinks aren’t permitted. Adding to the heat, live rock, blues, reggae and acid jazz could prove as spicy as the food. Acts include Soul Asylum, Booker T. & the MG’s, Bob Mould, the Mother Hips and Black Uhuru’s Don Carlos.

Long Beach Chili Cook-Off 2002, Long Beach Marina Green, Shoreline Drive and East Ocean Boulevard, Long Beach, 1 to 10 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 9 p.m. $15 to $25. (562) 773-1395, www.longbeachchilicookoff.com.

11am Family

Forget Barney. If you want singable tunes for your hipster young ones, Dan Zanes is the artist of choice. The former Del Fuegos lead singer has traded in his rock band for a kids show, but that doesn’t mean he’s left the good beats behind. Already a preschool hit on the East Coast, he’s in town with his “Dan Zanes & The Rocket Ship Revue,” featuring folk songs, his original pieces and sing-along tunes from his family recordings, “Rocket Ship Beach” and “Family Dance.”

“Dan Zanes & The Rocket Ship Revue,” Lost & Found, 6314 Yucca St., Hollywood, 11 a.m. $5 to $8, (323) 856-0921, (323) 462-4600. (Post-show arts and crafts hosted by Creative Space.) Also at McCabe’s, 3101 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica, Sunday, 11 a.m. $3 to $6. (310) 828-4497.

Noon Pop Music

Thrash. Metal. Ska. Electronica.... Mexico. Stockton. Colombia. East L.A..... Plus--Mexican wrestlers! Those are some of the ingredients that figure to make the L.A. stop of the third annual Aztlan Fest--billed as the world’s largest Chicano music festival--a high-volume, high-energy, high-intensity event.

Aztlan Fest 2002, Grand Olympic Auditorium parking lot, 1801 S. Grand Ave., downtown L.A., noon. $20 advance; $24 at gate. (213) 749-5171.

2 & 8pm Movies

Never mind the thin plot centered around a vaudeville family. It’s the Irving Berlin songs and the glorious wide-screen presentation that make “There’s No Business Like Show Business” worth seeing. Ethel Merman, Dan Dailey, Marilyn Monroe, Donald O’Connor, Mitzi Gaynor and poor, old Johnnie Ray serve Berlin’s tunes to great results. Directed by Walter Lang.

The Alex Film Society presents “There’s No Business Like Show Business,” Alex Theatre, 216 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale, 2 and 8 p.m. $6 to $8.50. (818) 754-8250.