7:30pmMoviesMarlene Dietrich, who became one of the...

7:30pm

Movies

Marlene Dietrich, who became one of the most iconic of international film stars, was launched from the relative obscurity of German comedies and melodramas with the dual-language production in 1930 of “The Blue Angel.” Dietrich stars as cabaret singer Lola Lola who ruins the life of love-obsessed professor Emil Jannings in the tragedy directed by Josef von Sternberg. The film opens “The Devil Is an Angel: The Films of Marlene Dietrich,” LACMA’s 13-film retrospective, which brings together Dietrich’s many collaborations with Von Sternberg, as well as other stalwart directors such as Rene Clair, Ernst Lubitsch, Fritz Lang, Alfred Hitchcock and Billy Wilder.

“The Devil Is an Angel: The Films of Marlene Dietrich,” LACMA, Bing Theater, 5905 Wilshire Blvd., L.A. “The Blue Angel” and “The Devil Is a Woman,” 7:30 p.m. “Morocco” and “The Garden of Allah,” Friday, 7:30 p.m. “Shanghai Express” and “Blonde Venus,” Saturday, 7:30 p.m. Series continues through Oct. 12. $6 to $8. (323) 857-6000.

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8pm

Dance

A company that has achieved international distinction under the artistic direction of Helgi Tomasson, San Francisco Ballet returns to the Southland in both a rep program and a full-length story ballet. The mixed bill offers the company premiere of Natalia Makarova’s version of dances from “Paquita,” (music by Minkus), based on the Marius Petipa choreography of 1881. Two Southern California premieres are also scheduled: Mark Morris’ “Sandpaper Ballet” (music by Leroy Anderson) and “Damned,” a retelling of “Medea” choreographed by company principal dancer Yuri Possokhov to music by Ravel. The full-evening “Othello” enlists choreographer Lar Lubovitch, composer Elliott Goldenthal and scenic designer George Tsypin in a contemporary dance adaptation of the Shakespearean tragedy about loving not wisely but too well.

San Francisco Ballet, Orange County Performing Arts Center, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. 8 p.m. (mixed bill). Also Friday, 8 p.m.; Saturday, 2 and 8 p.m.; and Sunday, 2 p.m. (“Othello”). $20 to $75. (714) 556-ARTS.

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8pm

Pop Music

One of the hottest acts in the underground hip-hop scene, Minnesota group Atmosphere arrives tonight at the Roxy in West Hollywood for the first of two nights. Atmosphere’s MC Slug has built a reputation as a volatile, riveting performer.

Atmosphere, the Roxy, 9009 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 8 p.m. $15. Also Friday. (310) 278-9457.

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8pm

Theater

“Lipstick Traces: A Secret History of the 20th Century,” a binge through parallel movements of cultural rebellion, from the Sex Pistols to medieval heretics, was adapted by the Rude Mechs performance troupe from rock journalist and cultural critic Greil Marcus’ 1989 cult classic book. The Foundry Theatre production is presented by UCLA Live’s International Theatre Festival.

“Lipstick Traces: A Secret History of the 20th Century,” Macgowan Hall, UCLA, Wyton Drive and Sunset Boulevard, L.A. Tuesdays-Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 7 p.m. Ends Oct. 20. $35. (310) 825-2101.