8pmDanceIn the last nine years, Montreal’s Cirque...

8pm

Dance

In the last nine years, Montreal’s Cirque Eloize has wandered the globe, performing in 200 cities and 20 countries. So is it any wonder that the group’s newest creation is titled “Nomade” and celebrates the life of traveling show people? In the words of director Daniele Finzi Pasca, “This tribute to nomads conveys the frenzy of their celebrations, the mysteries of their rituals and the passion with which they carve out their destinies.” Of course, it also displays their acclaimed skills at singing, dancing, juggling and acrobatics. After the U.S. premiere of “Nomade” at UCLA this weekend, the company goes to 39 other cities, giving performances at Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza on Nov. 13 and the California Center for the Arts in Escondido Nov. 25 to 27.

Cirque Eloize in “Nomade,” Royce Hall, UCLA campus, Westwood. 8 p.m. Also Saturday, 2 and 8 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m. $15 (students) to $45. (310) 825-2101.

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9pm

Pop Music

The Asian Massive Tour, arriving Friday at the Conga Room, aims to bridge urban electronic music with ancient South Asian traditions. India is the focal point of this bill, featuring Indian DJ Cheb i Sabbah; New York tabla player, producer and DJ Karsh Kale; and the electronic duo MIDIval PunditZ, consisting of Gaurav Raina and Tapan Raj, whose debut album was released Tuesday.

Asian Massive Tour, Conga Room, 5364 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. 9 p.m. $20 to $35. (323) 938-1696.

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all day

Movies

An abandoned Japanese amusement park proves to be the gateway to a long-lost land of gods and spirits for a resourceful 10-year-old girl in “Miyazaki’s Spirited Away.” The creation of an English-language version of this fantasy, the eighth film by acclaimed director Hayao Miyazaki (“Princess Mononoke”), was overseen by Pixar’s John Lasseter (the “Toy Story” films, “Monsters, Inc.”), who refers to Miyazaki as “the David Lean of animation.”

“Miyazaki’s Spirited Away,” rated PG for some scary moments, opens Friday exclusively at the El Capitan Theatre, 6838 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. (800) 347-6396.

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9:30pm

Jazz

During his more than 40-year career, Art Davis has played bass with such jazz legends as John Coltrane, Art Blakey and Max Roach, as well as with classical orchestras including the New York Philharmonic, the National Orchestra and the NBC Symphony Orchestra. In his spare time, Davis earned a doctoral degree in clinical psychology from New York University. This weekend, Davis will present his annual John Coltrane Tribute at the World Stage in Leimert Park. Performing with him will be saxophonists Doug Webb, Charles Owens and Oran Coltrane, pianist Nate Morgan and drummer Donald Dean.

Art Davis’ 10th annual John Coltrane Tribute, World Stage, 4344 Degnan Blvd., Los Angeles. Friday and Saturday, 9:30 p.m. $10. (323) 293-2451.

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all day

Movies

“Submit; resistance is futile” might be the mantra for Maggie Gyllenhaal’s character in the decidedly offbeat romantic comedy “Secretary,” directed by Steven Shainberg. Gyllenhaal, in a breakout performance, stars as an ungainly young woman who blooms during a light-hearted sadomasochistic relationship with her boss (James Spader). Erin Cressida Wilson adapted Mary Gaitskill’s novella. Jeremy Davies and Lesley Anne Warren co-star.

“Secretary,” rated R for strong sexuality, some nudity, depiction of behavioral disorders, and language, opens Friday in selected theaters.

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8pm

Dance

Launching a performance series of experimental work in intimate UCLA spaces, Yin Mei Dance presents the Southern California premiere of “/Asunder” in the campus’ MacGowan Little Theater. Born in China, choreographer Ying Mei has what the New York Times calls “a striking visual sense and an authoritative way with social and literary themes.” For this 90-minute study of the union of opposites, composer Robert Een has created an atmospheric score for voice, vibraphone, cello and percussion, and designer Cai Guo-Qiang conjures up a moonlit pool and a flurry of 1,000 arrows that becomes a path of feathers. There’s also a story--about a monk in love with his enemy’s daughter--but don’t expect conventional narrative in this dreamlike, intricately layered theater of images. And that slash in the title? The pause before action, Yin Mei says.

Yin Mei Dance in “/Asunder,” MacGowan Little Theater, UCLA campus, Westwood. 8 p.m. Also Thursday, 8 p.m.; Saturday, 2 and 8 p.m. $15 (students) to $35. (310) 825-2101.