8pm DanceHigh-energy ambassadors of pop music, pop...

8pm Dance

High-energy ambassadors of pop music, pop dance and pop culture, the 13-member River North Dance Chicago returns to the Southland with the kind of mixed bill that the Chicago Tribune has called an “everything for everyone program” and “a lush panorama of choreography.” Dating from 1995 to 2001, the pieces on view include four works choreographed by artistic director Frank Chaves, three by co-artistic director emeritus Sherry Zunker (one of them in collaboration with Ginger Farley and Kevin Iega Jeff), and one apiece by Randy Duncan, Daniel Ezralow and Ashley Roland--the last being a structured improvisation.

River North Dance Chicago, Luckman Fine Arts Complex, Cal State L.A., 5151 State University Drive, L.A. $30 to $40. (323) 343-6600.

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8pm Pop Music

Sweet Honey in the Rock has been giving voice to its social concerns for more than 25 years, but the all-female a cappella quintet isn’t stuck in the past. Its latest commentary, regarding the lack of voting representation for Washington, D.C., residents, is a rap song.

Sweet Honey in the Rock, Carpenter Center for the Performing Arts, Cal State Long Beach, Long Beach, 8 p.m. $35. (562) 985-7000.

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8pm Grunion

It’s that time of the year for fishing the easy way. Grunion, the small, sardine-size fish of the silversides family, ride the waves ashore to spawn on dark, sandy beaches in the spring and summer, usually two to six nights after the full and new moons. Spawning begins after high tide and continues for several hours. The Cabrillo Marine Aquarium will offer a guided glimpse of the grunion run Saturday night. After a film on the fish at the aquarium, participants will assemble at the beach. As the fish come ashore to lay their eggs, the grunion may be caught by hand. Grunion catchers 16 years and older, however, must have a valid California fishing license.

“Meet the Grunion,” Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, 3720 Stephen White Drive, San Pedro. Exhibit hall will open at 8 p.m.; film at 9 p.m.; grunion run at the beach at approximately 10:30 p.m. $1 to $2. (310) 548-7562.

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8pm Theater

Award-winning British dramatist Alan Bennett’s series of solo plays, “Talking Heads,” gets an all-star treatment at the Tiffany Theater, under the direction of Michael Engler (“Sex and the City”). Three of the seven plays will be presented each night, though the exact slate for each night will change each week. The schedule features “Bed Among the Lentils” with Kathleen Chalfant, “A Chip in the Sugar” with Daniel Davis, “Her Big Chance” with Valerie Mahaffey, “A Lady of Letters” with Swoosie Kurtz, “The Hand of God” with Brenda Wehle, “Miss Fozzard Finds Her Feet” with Tyne Daly, and “The Outside Dog” with Annette Bening.

“Talking Heads,” Tiffany Theater, 8532 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, 8 p.m. Regular schedule: Saturdays, 4 and 8 p.m.; Sundays, 3 and 7 p.m.; Tuesdays to Fridays, 8 p.m. March 24, 2 p.m. only. Ends March 30. $30 to $40. (310) 289-2999.

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6:30pm Pop Music

Limp Bizkit leader Fred Durst’s abilities as a talent scout may yet eclipse his rock chops. Puddle of Mudd, the first signing to his Flawless Records label, recently hit the Top 10 of the national album sales chart and the Hot 100 singles chart with its return-to-Nirvana formula.

Puddle of Mudd, with 30 Seconds to Mars, Hollywood Palladium, 6215 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, 6:30 p.m. $17. (323) 962-7600.

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8pm World Music

Guinean musician Prince Diabate has been described as the “Jimi Hendrix of the kora.” Not surprising, since he has been known to combine electric sounds with his 21-stringed, harp-like instrument, and season his Mandingo songs with reggae, blues and rap rhythms. In his program “Jaliyaa: Music From the Mandingo Empire,” Diabate will perform with his two cousins, guitarist Abdoulay Diabate and Famoro Diabate on balafon.

“Jaliyaa: Music From the Mandingo Empire,” the Harold M. Williams Auditorium at the Getty Center, 1200 Getty Drive, L.A., 8 p.m. Also Sunday, 3 p.m. Free. Reservations required. (310) 440-7300.