Three-day Forecast

POP MUSIC

Wainwright and his ‘Wants’

Singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright hits increasingly close to home in his latest album, “Want One,” for which something of a sequel, “Want Two,” is due next year. He brings his compelling blend of cabaret, folk-rock and pop to the Wiltern LG tonight.

Rufus Wainwright, Wiltern LG, 3790 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. Today, 8 p.m. $29.50. (213) 380-5005.

JAZZ

Decades of melodic fusion

East meets West when the jazz fusion band Hiroshima performs at the Japan America Theatre. The band’s eclectic combination of Japanese elements and American pop, urban and jazz sensibilities has been thrilling its fans for almost three decades. The concerts will feature music from the group’s latest album, “The Bridge” as well as selections from its holiday CD, “Spirit of the Season.” The band will be joined by slack key guitarist Daniel Ho.

Hiroshima, George and Sakaye Aratani/Japan America Theatre, 244 S. San Pedro St., L.A. Saturday, 8 p.m., and Sunday, 2 p.m. $25 to $35. (213) 680-3700.

EVENTS

Floating holidays

Holiday fun seekers have a choice of two holiday boat parades this weekend. Dana Point Harbor’s 29th annual Boat Parade of Lights features decorated vessels from all over Orange County vying for prizes. This year’s theme is “Scenes of the SEAson.” Landlubbers can watch for free from the shore or ride in one of the boats for $15. The theme for the 12th annual King

Harbor Christmas Boat Parade in Redondo Beach is “Christmas Around the World.” The parade will be preceded by a day’s worth of activities in King Harbor and the parade’s grand marshal, Daryl Sabara from the “Spy Kids” movies, will be available for autographs from 2 to 3 p.m. at Ruby’s Diner on Harbor Boulevard.

Dana Point Harbor 29th Annual Boat Parade of Lights, Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m. Free. (949) 496-5794. King Harbor Boat Parade, Redondo Beach, Saturday, 5:30 p.m. Free. (310) 376-2459.

MOVIES

A clash of wills

In director Vadim Perelman’s debut film, “House of Sand and Fog,” Northern California is characterized by two hot-button topics: real estate and immigration. Oscar-winners Jennifer Connelly and Ben Kingsley, as a woman whose addiction has cost her dearly and an Iranian man struggling to regain his pride, respectively, wage a dramatic battle of wills over a home that represents everything important to each of them. With Shohreh Aghdashloo and Ron Eldard. Based on the novel by Andre Dubus III.

“House of Sand and Fog,” rated R for some violence/disturbing images, language and a scene of sexuality, opens Friday exclusively at the AMC Century City, 10250 Santa Monica Blvd., Century City, (310) 289-4AMC.

THEATER

An old mime remembers

As a family holiday offering, noted mime and Bulgarian pop star Krassimir Avramov reprises his seriocomic solo show,

“Memories,” the tale of an old mime who lives through his reminiscences of the past.

“Memories,” Zipper Concert Hall, Colburn School of Performing Arts, 200 S. Grand Ave., L.A. Friday, 7:30 p.m. Free. (213) 621-2200.

MUSIC

44 years in the making

Los Angeles County presents its 44th annual splendiferous Holiday Celebration at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. Festivities, featuring 38 groups from all over the region, start at 3 p.m. and continue until 9 p.m. Highlights include a jazz medley by the 70-member Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra, a tribute to the late Gregory Hines by the Jazz Tap Ensemble and seasonal music. First come, first served. For those who cannot be there in person, the show will be broadcast live on KCET-TV Channel 28.

Holiday Celebration, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Ave., L.A. Wednesday, 3 p.m. Free. (213) 972-3099.

ART

Snapshots of history

During his 30-year career at Life magazine, storied photographer Ralph Morse has taken thousands of images, including many that have left an indelible mark on American culture. “Ralph Morse: Eyewitness to the 20th Century” illustrates the nation’s history -- he captured images of the Marines at Guadalcanal, the Doolittle bombing raid on Tokyo, Gen. Patton’s drive across France, Germany’s surrender to Gen. Eisenhower, the Apollo 11 liftoff, Babe Ruth’s final

appearance at Yankee Stadium, and other historic images.

“Ralph Morse: Eyewitness to the 20th Century,” Apex Fine Art, 152 N. La Brea Ave., L.A. Tuesdays to Sundays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Ends Jan. 10. (323) 634-7887.

DANCE

Pinatas aplenty

In “Navidades,” Amalia Hernandez’s famed Ballet Folklorico de Mexico breaks with its 50-year touring tradition by presenting a Christmas show for the first time -- one not yet seen in Mexico itself. Expect singing, feasting and plenty of pinatas because some 40 minutes of the program will be holiday-themed, introducing sequences that depict the Nativity, a spiritual procession in Oaxaca, the dances of the three wise men, Las Posadas and Christmas in Jalisco. Some of the company’s most beloved suites are also scheduled. Hernandez died three years ago and the company is now directed by her daughter, Norma Lopez Hernandez.

Folklorico de Mexico de Amalia Hernandez in “Navidades: A Christmas Celebration,” Universal Amphitheatre, 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City. Sunday, 3:15 and 8:15 p.m. Monday, 2:15 p.m. Tuesday, 8:15 p.m. $34 to $59. (818) 622-4440.

MUSEUMS

Collection of movie treasures

There are scores of collections of

Tinseltown memorabilia along Hollywood Boulevard. The fabled throughway even has its own collection of movie stars, ranging from the talkies through today’s hits -- of course, they’re all wax. But for an

informative and timely look back into Hollywood’s history, it takes a trip to the Hollywood History Museum. Housed in the newly refurbished Max Factor building, it holds treasures such as an extensive personal collection of lavish costumes and memorabilia from the careers of performers Shirley MacLaine and Mae West. And there is wardrobe from

“Gladiator,” “Moulin Rouge” and more. But the museum isn’t entirely given over to fancy costumes -- the complete Hannibal Lecter jail complex is part of the five floors of Hollywood memorabilia.

Hollywood History Museum, the Max Factor Building, 1660 N. Highland Ave. at Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood. Adults, $15; students and seniors, $12; children younger than 5, $5. Thursdays to Sundays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (323) 464-7776.