THREE-DAY FORECAST

EXHIBITION

Jewish history

A new exhibition at the Skirball Center -- “Jewish Life in Ancient Egypt: A Family Archive From the Nile Valley” -- offers a rare insight into ancient Jewish history after the destruction of Solomon’s Temple. Eight papyrus scrolls are accompanied by a life-size statue, bronze statuettes, reliefs and silver vessels, and describe the daily life of a Jewish temple official and his Egyptian wife. The papyrus scrolls, which date from the 5th century BC, prove that a Jewish community thrived in southern Egypt long after the Exodus.

“Jewish Life in Ancient Egypt: A Family Archive From the Nile Valley,” Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., L.A. Opens Friday. Hours: Tuesdays-Saturdays, noon-5 p.m.; Sundays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; ends July 18. (310) 440-4500.

FESTIVAL

Getting cultured

From Aurelito & Shakespeare, who spin music from the back of a vintage ice cream truck, to the classical Indian artistry of the Arpana Dance Company, to the klezmer-soul concoctions of DJ Socalled and the Alef Project, Santa Monica Festival 2004 offers a dizzying cultural collision. This year’s headliners are the acclaimed children’s music outfit Gwendolyn and the Good Time Gang, and the nine-piece Afro-Cuban ensemble Sono-Lux. Along with storytelling, spoken-word performances, art exhibitions and educational displays, and workshops for the eco-minded, the festival’s 13th installment kicks off with a procession of children, dancers and performers.

Santa Monica Festival 2004, Clover Park, 2600 Ocean Park Blvd., Santa Monica. Saturday, noon-7 p.m. Free. (310) 458-8350 or www.arts.santa-monica.org.

POP MUSIC

Going above ground

Oakland’s Quannum Collective has produced a host of notable underground hip-hop artists over the years, and the current Quannum World tour takes several of its key artists on the road together for the first time since 1997. Blackalicious and DJ Shadow head a potent bill that includes Lyrics Born, Lateef & the Chief, Joyo Velarde, DJ D-Sharp, Latyrx, Lifesavas and the Gift of Gab.

Quannum World tour, House of Blues, 8430 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. Today and Friday, 7:30 and 10:30 p.m. $30. (323) 848-5100.

ART

Paintings, photographs

The Carl Berg Gallery presents a double bill when it opens “Jonmarc Edwards: Self Contained Paintings” and “Matthew May: Two Harbors.” Edwards pairs paintings with Plexiglas boxes that contain a colorful clutter of categorically sorted objects, from childhood toys to newspaper clippings. May’s large-scale harbor panoramas are composed of a series of 20 to 60 separate snapshots. These collaged photographs unfold the landscape like a narrative, conveying a sense of the passage of time.

Carl Berg Gallery, 6018 Wilshire Blvd., L.A. Opens Saturday. Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Ends May 29. (323) 931-6060.

COMEDY

Political satire

The Capitol Steps began as an informal group to provide entertainment at Sen. Charles Percy’s office Christmas party in 1981. Twenty-three albums, countless live shows and a series of radio and television appearances later, the musical satire of the Washington-based comedy troupe is still packed with laughs.

Expect such tunes as “Son of a Bush” and “Iraq Around the Clock” at the group’s annual Southern California appearance.

The Capitol Steps, Caltech’s Beckman Auditorium, 332 S. Michigan Ave., Pasadena. Friday-Saturday, 8 p.m. $24-$32. (888) 222-5832, (626) 395-4652.

MUSIC

Schubert’s beloved piece

Schubert’s Cello Quintet in C is for many the most beloved chamber music in the literature. The California String Quartet -- violinists Katia Popov and Sam Fisher, violist Andrew Duckles and cellist Armen Ksajikian -- will be joined by guest cellist Andrew Shulman in this great work. The free program also includes music by Haydn and two short pieces inspired by oil paintings by Haim Strum.

California String Quartet, Caltech’s Ramo Auditorium, 332 S. Michigan Ave., Pasadena. Sunday, 2:30 p.m. Free.

(888) 222-5832.

JAZZ

L.A. Phil, with a twist

“Hancock Meets Gershwin” is the name of this Herbie Hancock concert with the L.A. Philharmonic, and to be sure, Gershwin’s music is well-represented in the program. But so too is the music of Bach, Duke Ellington, W.C. Handy, Hoagy Carmichael, Wayne Shorter and Hancock. With Hancock at the piano, Robert Sadin will conduct the Philharmonic with Richard Barshay featured on drums and percussion, and Scott Colley on bass.

“Hancock Meets Gershwin,” Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., L.A. Saturday, 8 p.m. $25-$85. (323) 850-2000.

THEATER

A child’s view

In “Mr. Marmalade,” a world premiere play by Noah Haidle, the games that adults play are viewed through the eyes of a precocious 4-year-old with a vivid imagination.

“Mr. Marmalade,” South Coast Repertory, Julianne Argyros Stage, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Opens Friday. Runs Tuesdays-Sundays, 7:45 p.m.; Saturdays-Sundays, 2 p.m.; ends May 16. $27-$55, except pay what you will this Saturday, 2 p.m.

(714) 708-5555.

DANCE

Celebrating Coltrane

“Imagine this incredible combination: the passionate, mesmerizing music of John Coltrane and the electrifying dancing of Savion Glover,” a Times review of “If Trane Wuz Here” began in February. Now this meditative, often improvisational 90-minute celebration of Coltrane’s jazz innovations returns in a brief engagement at the Knitting Factory in Hollywood. Once again the performance features the interplay of a dancer, a poet and a sax player: Glover, Reg E. Gaines and Matana Roberts, respectively. And if anybody still doubts that Glover is the unchallenged tap master of the era, this event should supply the proof.

“If Trane Wuz Here,” Knitting Factory Hollywood, 7021 Hollywood Blvd. Saturday, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday and Tuesday, 8 p.m. $25. (323) 463-0204.

MOVIES

Warrior’s saga

An Oscar nominee for best foreign-language film, Yoji Yamada’s “Twilight Samurai” tells of a low-ranking widowed warrior in 19th century Japan who must care for his two young daughters and his infirm mother -- sort of a single-dad samurai. Though his trade is less in demand in the “modern” era, he is drawn into the old fighting ways in order to defend his first love. Hiroyuki Sanada and Rie Miyazawa star.

“Twilight Samurai,” unrated, opens Friday in selected theaters.

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FESTIVAL

Tales for the folks

Storytellers will converge in Ojai for the fifth annual Village of Tales Storytelling Festival. Producer Brian Bemel has again assembled a cast of nationally recognized performers who bring a range of stylings, from humor to suspense, traditional folk tales to original narratives. A look-see: Brenda Wong Aoki incorporates movement into her blend of Japanese Noh and Kyogen theater; Len Cabral includes mime and song in his retelling of African, Caribbean and Cape Verde folk tales; Bill Harley is a family storyteller and National Public Radio humorist; Bil Lepp is a five-time champion of the West Virginia Liars Contest.

Village of Tales Storytelling Festival, Friday through Sunday, downtown Ojai (mostly Libbey Bowl and Ojai Center for the Arts). Single performances, $8-$14. Festival passes for individuals and families, $35-$140. (805) 646-8907.