Best Bets Sunday 5/19

all day

Art

The distinctive artworks of the Niger Delta, which have blossomed there despite severe economic and political hardship, will compose “Ways of the Rivers: Arts and Environment of the Niger Delta,” opening Sunday at UCLA’s Fowler Museum of Cultural History. The more than 130 works of art emphasize the importance of water and environment in daily and spiritual life, and will include large-scale masks, water spirit headdresses, warrior figures, puppets and ritual dress, video footage and photomurals.

“Ways of the Rivers: Arts and Environment of the Niger Delta,” UCLA Fowler Museum of Cultural History, UCLA campus, Westwood. Wednesdays to Sundays, noon to 5 p.m.; Thursdays, noon to 8 p.m. Ends Nov. 17. Adults, $5; seniors and students, $3; UCLA students, $1. (310) 825-4361.

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8:30pm

Pop

They honed their sound in East L.A. and hit the ground running in the ‘70s with “Barrio Suite,” then crossed over with hits like “Together.” But the brothers at the heart of the band Tierra--Steve and Rudy Salas--didn’t stay together, they each have led their own bands for years. Their onstage reunion earlier this year was so hot that they’re doing it again, bringing their salsa-soulful sound to the Conga Room for a free show.

Tierra, Playboy Jazz Festival Free Community Concert, the Conga Room, 5364 Wilshire Blvd., Hollywood. 8:30 p.m. Free. (323) 938-1696.

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all day

Festival

It’s time to tune those strings, dust off your dancing shoes or, at the very least, grab a place in the shade to watch the Irish folk band Claddagh, bluegrass bands Tom, Dick & Pete and the Bladerunners at the Topanga Banjo Fiddle Contest & Folk Festival. It is the 42nd year for this family event, and it promises the best in bluegrass and folk music from around the West. More than 100 singers, pluckers, pickers, cloggers, poets and yodelers will vie for prizes.

Topanga Banjo Fiddle Contest and Folk Festival, Paramount Ranch, near Agoura in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Adults, $10; kids 10 to 17, $5; seniors 65 and older and children younger than 10, free. (818) 382-4819.

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1pm

Family

The Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra playfully sets two Dr. Seuss tales to music in “Dr. Seuss: Gertrude McFuzz and Green Eggs & Ham.” The concert is at 2 p.m., but the fun starts at 1 p.m. with pre-concert activities that include an “instrument petting zoo” and representatives of the Los Angeles Zoo sharing the wonders of the bird kingdom in a workshop for all ages.

“Dr. Seuss: Gertrude McFuzz and Green Eggs & Ham,” Alex Theatre, 216 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale. 1 p.m. $7.50 to $12.50. (213) 662-7001, Ext. 215.

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7pm

Theater

“Tartuffe,” Moliere’s devilish farce about a wily, seductive scoundrel who wreaks havoc when he gains the good graces of the gullible head of a wealthy family, launches the La Jolla Playhouse’s 2002 season.

“Tartuffe,” La Jolla Playhouse, La Jolla Village Drive and Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla. Sunday, 7 p.m. Regular schedule: Tuesdays to Fridays, 8 p.m.; Saturdays, 2 and 8 p.m.; Sundays, 2 and 7 p.m. Ends June 16. $19 to $49. (858) 550-1010.