Three-day forecast

MOVIES

A festival for fans of Fellini

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the death of Italian filmmaker Federico Fellini. A new documentary, “Fellini: I’m a Born Liar,” presents a playful and provocative look at the director of such films as “La Dolce Vita,” “8 1/2” and “Amarcord” in interviews with Fellini, actors Donald Sutherland, Terence Stamp and Roberto Benigni, and author Italo Calvino. “Feste Fellini: The Films of Federico Fellini,” a 12-week retrospective series presented by Laemmle Theaters, begins Saturday.

“Fellini: I’m a Born Liar,” unrated, opens Friday exclusively at the Landmark Nuart, 11272 Santa Monica Blvd., West L.A. (310) 478-6379. “Feste Fellini,” Laemmle Sunset 5, 8000 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m., through June 29, (323) 848-3500; Laemmle Monica 4-Plex, 1332 2nd St., Santa Monica, Saturdays and Sundays, 11 a.m., April 19-July 6, (310) 394-9741.

POP MUSIC

Don’t pet the Pigface

No relief from the tensions of modern life here -- actually, the idea is more like total immersion when you step into the world of Pigface. Drummer Martin Atkins anchors this industrial-rock institution, whose lineup currently includes singer Chris Connelly as well as members of Hate Dept. and Thrill Kill Kult. The group’s United Tour unites it with the latter and with Zeromancer and Bile. Meantime, a less assaultive but still intense emissary from rock’s dark side, Michael Gira, brings his new band, Angels of Light, to town after a decade and a half fronting the Swans.

Pigface, with Thrill Kill Kult, Zeromancer and Bile, Key Club, 9039 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. Friday, 8 p.m. $25. (310) 274-5800. Galaxy Theatre, 3503 S. Harbor Blvd., Santa Ana. Saturday, 8 p.m. $15. (714) 957-0600.

Angels of Light, Spaceland, 1717 Silver Lake Blvd., L.A., Saturday 9 p.m. $12-$14. (213) 833-2843.

THEATER

A period comedy looks at big questions

Joe Graves directs an adaptation of Carlo Gozzi’s 18th century comedy “King Stag,” about a king whose search for true love turns into a struggle between good and evil when he enlists the help of a powerful magician.

“King Stag,” A Noise Within, 234 S. Brand Blvd., Glendale. Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m.; also April 27, 2 and 7 p.m.; April 30-May 2, 8 p.m.; May 3, 2 and 8 p.m.; May 16, 8 p.m.; May 18, 2 and 8 p.m.; May 19, 2 and 7 p.m.; ends May 19. $18 to $38. (818) 240-0910.

JAZZ

Reliving some of the good times

Saxophonist-flutist James Moody, the former Dizzy Gillespie sidekick known for his humor as well as his first-rate jazz, performs at a tribute to Central Avenue’s Golden Age at the Dunbar Hotel, the onetime hub of L.A.’s jazz scene. Declared a historic monument in 1974, the hotel is being renovated and converted into a museum. The performance by the 78-year-old jazz veteran will be followed by a neighborhood tour and sweet potato pie.

James Moody Quartet, Dunbar Hotel, 4225 Central Ave., L.A. Sunday, 2, 3:30 and 5 p.m. Sold out. (213) 477-2929.

MUSEUMS

Mideast mastery

As war with Iraq continues, “The Legacy of Genghis Khan: Courtly Art and Culture in Western Asia, 1256-1353,” opening Sunday at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, is an especially timely exhibition. The landmark collection surveys the important artistic and cultural achievements that occurred after Khan’s grandson Hulegu took control of what is now Iran, Iraq, western Afghanistan, southern Russia and eastern Turkey. Khan’s descendants helped shape a new visual language, which will be chronicled in some 200 illustrated manuscripts, ceramics, textiles, jewelry and other decorative arts in metal, stone and wood.

“The Legacy of Genghis Khan: Courtly Art and Culture in Western Asia, 1256-1353,” Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 5905 Wilshire Blvd., L.A. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, noon-8 p.m.; Friday, noon-9 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m.-8 pm.; ends July 27. $1 to $7; children 5 and younger, free. (323) 857-6000.

MUSIC

Festival at the beach

A new Laguna Beach Chamber Music Festival culminates this weekend in three different programs, each showcasing the talents of veteran American pianist Claude Frank. Friday he plays Schubert’s final Piano Sonata, in B-flat. Completing the program will be works by Haydn and Brahms, played by the Calder Quartet and the Trio Movado, respectively. Frank collaborates on Saturday with the two groups in music by Mozart and Brahms. On Sunday, he and the Calder musicians perform Schumann’s Piano Quintet in E-flat. Works by Beethoven and Paul Schoenfeld will complete that program. Festival sponsors -- the Philharmonic Society of Orange County, the Laguna Chamber Music Society and Laguna Beach Live -- plan to make the festival an annual event.

Laguna Beach Chamber Music Festival, Laguna Artists’ Theatre, 625 Park Ave., Laguna Beach. Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m. Sunday, 3 p.m. $10 to $20 each concert; $45 for all three. (949) 553-2422.

DANCE

Awards for artistry

Honoring excellent artists, teachers, technicians and others in the Southern California dance community, the annual Lester Horton Dance Awards are named for the modern-dance pioneer who worked on local stages (including soundstages) and launched the careers of such icons as Alvin Ailey and Bella Lewitzky. Presented by the Dance Resource Center of Greater Los Angeles, the Hortons will offer some changes in this latest outing. First, instead of waiting until the night of the ceremony, it’s already been announced that designer, lecturer and teacher Don Martin will be honored with a lifetime achievement award and that Broadway dancer, choreographer and teacher Karen McDonald will be recognized with the teaching award. The awards ceremony will feature live dance performances for the first time.

12th annual Lester Horton Dance Awards, Aratani Japan America Theatre, 244 S. San Pedro St., L.A. Sunday, 5 p.m. $25 (DRC members) to $50. (818) 769-3093.

EVENT

The circus is in town

Now in its 76th anniversary year, the Al Malaikah Shrine Circus and Midway comes to the Shrine Auditorium in downtown Los Angeles. Featured will be Circus Gatti, a traveling troupe with a full complement of the usual circus-type acts -- parading pachyderms, perky Pekinese pups, agile acrobats, horseback riders, exotic felines, trapeze artists and, of course, clowns of every stripe. The midway offers rides, face painting, carnival games and many other activities.

Al Malaikah Shrine Circus and Midway, Shrine Auditorium and Expo Center, 700 W. 32nd St., L.A. Thursday and Friday, 2 and 7 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m., 2 and 7 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. $8 to $12. (213) 748-0173.