THREE-DAY FORECAST

MOVIES

Strong role for Sharif

It’s been more than 40 years since Omar Sharif rode dashingly on camelback into the minds of filmgoers in “Lawrence of Arabia” and a long while since he’s had a role of distinction. In “Monsieur Ibrahim,” Sharif has been getting strong reviews for playing a Turkish Muslim grocer in 1960s Paris who befriends a young Jewish boy. The volatility and change of the era lay the groundwork for a story of people from different, often conflicting cultures, finding common ground. Director Francois Dupeyron adapted the movie from the novel and play by Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt.

“Monsieur Ibrahim,” R for some sexual content, opens Friday exclusively at the Laemmle Sunset 5, 8000 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, (323) 848-3500.

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JAZZ

They make a dashing duo

The Chicago-born composer-singer-actor-playwright Oscar Brown Jr. and pianist-composer-arranger Billy Childs make up an all-star hyphenate team. Septuagenarian Brown first came to national prominence as a singer with the release of his album “Sin and Soul” in 1960. (The CD was reissued in 1996.) Over the years, he’s refused to limit his creative endeavors to one genre. Fortysomething Childs, an L.A. native, has composed works for the L.A. Philharmonic, the Akron Symphony Orchestra and other ensembles, in addition to establishing himself as one of today’s top, if not most prominent, jazz pianists.

Oscar Brown Jr. and Billy Childs, the Jazz Bakery, 3233 Helms Ave., Culver City. Today to Sunday, 8 and 9:30 p.m. $25. (310) 271-9039.

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ART

Words to images

This Talking Head has gone visual on us. “I’ve been working with PowerPoint presentation software as an art medium for years,” explains David Byrne, musician and now artist. Byrne’s “Envisioning Emotional Epistemological Information” is a book and DVD with five of his PowerPoint presentations, some of which he will present and discuss at the County Museum of Art (story, Page 20). The artist will appear at the museum’s store to sign his book.

“Envisioning Emotional Epistemological Information,” Leo S. Bing Auditorium, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 5905 Wilshire Blvd., L.A. Tonight, 7:30. $5 to $15. (877) 522-6225 or www.museumtix.com.

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POP MUSIC

A zone for Top 40 fans

The annual KIIS-FM Jingle Ball brings in the big guns, notably the first area appearance by Britney Spears since her new album, “In The Zone,” entered the national sales chart at No. 1. Top 40 fans will also get sets by Beyonce, Sean Paul, Kelly Clarkson, Fabolous, Hilary Duff, Thalia and Simple Plan on a night emceed by the ubiquitous Jennifer Lopez.

KIIS-FM Jingle Ball, Staples Center, 1111 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles. Friday, 5 p.m. $35 to $175. (213) 742-7340.

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PARADE

Holiday boating

L.A. City Councilwoman Janice Hahn will be the honorary commodore of the fleet for the 41st annual Los Angeles Harbor Holidays Afloat Parade. The annual procession of holiday-decorated boats begins in the East Basin of the Port of Los Angeles. Viewing locations for an expected 50,000 spectators include the Banning’s Landing Community Center, Ports O’ Call Village, the L.A. Maritime Museum and Cabrillo Marina.

Los Angeles Harbor Holidays Afloat Parade, Port of Los Angeles, Saturday, 6 p.m. Free. (310) 547-2794.

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EVENT

A return to Christmas past

The Civil War-era Banning Residence Museum is all decked out in its Victorian Yuletide finest in a re-creation of a traditional Christmas of a century ago. Entertainment and activities for the entire family will include carolers in period attire, storytelling, crafts, horse-drawn trolley rides and, of course, Santa Claus.

Banning Residence Museum, 401 E. M St., Wilmington. Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free. (310) 548-7777.

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THEATER

Tribute to jazz

Grammy Award-winner Patti Austin and Lillias White, a Tony Award-winner for “The Life,” head the cast in the world premiere of “Like Jazz -- A New Kind of Musical,” a celebration of jazz and jazz artists crafted by a veteran creative force: Larry Gelbart wrote the book; the music is by Cy Coleman, lyrics are by Alan and Marilyn Bergman. Gordon Davidson is directing.

“Like Jazz -- A New Kind of Musical,” Mark Taper Forum, 135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. Opens today. Runs Tuesdays to Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays to Sundays, 2:30 p.m. Also Dec. 22, 29, 8 p.m.; Dec. 23, Jan. 21, 2:30 and 8 p.m.; Jan. 25, 2:30 p.m. only. Dark Dec. 24-25, Jan. 1, 13-16; ends Jan. 25. $45 to $65. (213) 628-2772.

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MUSIC

From Bach to Cahn

Kicking off a series of holiday programs at Walt Disney Concert Hall,

the Boys Choir of

Harlem will make “A

Joyful Noise” today under the direction of its

founder Walter J.

Turnbull. The choir will sing a range of holiday fare, from Bach and Poulenc to Mel Torme and Sammy Cahn. There also will be carols and inspirational songs.

Boys Choir of Harlem, Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. Today, 8 p.m. $20 to $120. (323) 850-2000.

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THEATER

He’s home alone and grumpy

Rock trio GrooveLily puts its own twist on the holidays with its comic musical “Striking 12,” a contemporary tale about a grumpy man home alone on New Year’s Eve, some special light bulbs and Hans Christian

Andersen’s poignant

fable, “The Little Match Girl.”

“Striking 12,” Old Globe Theatre, Cassius Carter Centre Stage, Balboa Park, San Diego. Opens Wednesday. Runs Tuesdays, 8 p.m. (except Dec. 30 at 7 and 10 p.m.); Wed., 8 p.m. (except Dec. 31 at 7 and 10 p.m.); Thursdays and Fridays, 8 p.m.; Saturdays, 7 and 10 p.m.; Sundays, 2 and 7 p.m. Also Dec. 22 at 8 p.m. and Dec. 29 at 7 p.m.; dark Christmas Eve and Christmas Day; ends Dec. 31. $19 to $47. (619) 239-2255.

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DANCE

Revealing everything

Deja Donne, a contemporary dance company with six members mostly from Eastern Europe, performs the local premiere of “In Bella Copia” (Fair Copy). The Guardian described the work as “a show that explores the gap between the selves we want to be and the selves we really are.” “You are laughing and aching at the same time,” wrote the Village Voice. “The pure-dance passages are quick and darting, full of thrust and parry,” commented the New York Times. Directed and choreographed by Lenka Flory and Simone Sandroni, the performance features full nudity and graphic depictions of sexual situations.

Deja Donne in “In Bella Copia,” REDCAT Theater at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, 631 W. 2nd St., Los Angeles. Today to Sunday, 8:30 p.m. $34 to $36. (213) 237-2800.

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JAZZ

Get in the spirit with Latin rhythms

By this time, Bobby Rodriguez’s 7th annual Latin Jazz Christmas show is enough of an L.A. holiday tradition to know what to expect: his fiery trumpet soloing and lyrical fluegelhorn playing over big-band jazz arrangements of familiar holiday pop standards and Christmas carols with a liberal sprinkling of salsa, cha-cha and merengue rhythms. This year’s special guest is jazz pianist and singer Les McCann.

Bobby Rodriguez 7th Annual Latin Jazz Christmas Show, Luckman Fine Arts Complex, 5151 State University Drive, Los Angeles. Saturday, 8 p.m. $25 to $35. (323) 343-6600.