WEEKEND FORECAST

ALL WEEKEND

Scarlett’s film fever

Scarlett Johansson, who had a breakout year in 2003 with “Lost in Translation” and “Girl With a Pearl Earring,” returns in two films that opened this week. Johansson earned a Golden Globe nomination for her role opposite John Travolta in the Southern drama “A Love Song for Bobby Long” and stars alongside Dennis Quaid and Topher Grace in Paul Weitz’s comedy “In Good Company.”

“A Love Song for Bobby Long,” rated R, is playing at selected theaters; “In Good Company,” rated PG-13, is playing exclusively at the AMC Century 14, 10250 Santa Monica Blvd., Century City, (310) 289-4AMC.

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FRIDAY

Sounds of celebration

The great jazz saxophonist James Moody will celebrate his 80th birthday in April with a special show in his honor at Walt Disney Concert Hall. But New Year’s Eve will find the jazz legend blowing his horn at Clancy’s in Glendale. The former Dizzy Gillespie sidekick will be joined by pianist Eric Reed, singer Paula West, bassist Tony Dumas and drummer Paul Kreibich.

James Moody, Clancy’s Crab Broiler, 219 N. Central Ave., Glendale. Dinner, 7 p.m. Friday; music 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. $120. (818) 242-CRAB.

* More New Year’s Eve options, Page 30.

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SATURDAY

Seeking the authentic

In Naomi Iizuka’s play “36 Views,” an art dealer and an art historian find themselves in an erotic exploration of the meaning of truth in the art world and in life as they try to authenticate what seems to be an ancient Japanese pillow book. Laguna Playhouse presents the drama’s Southern California premiere.

“36 Views,” Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach. Opens 7:30 p.m. Saturday. $45 and $54. (949) 497-2787.

* Runs 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, 7 p.m. Sundays (except 2 p.m. only Jan. 30). Ends Jan. 30.

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Kwanzaa: a festive time

Pasadena does not have L.A. County’s only parade on New Year’s Day. The first modern Kwanzaa holiday was celebrated here in Los Angeles in 1966 by Maulana Karenga, a professor at Cal State Long Beach. Leimert Park’s annual Kwanzaa Parade -- with marching bands, antique cars, cowboys and cowgirls -- starts at noon Saturday at Dorsey High School, goes east on Rodeo Road to Crenshaw Boulevard, then south to Leimert Park Village, where a two-day African festival is planned. The festival will feature music, dance and spoken-word performances, children’s activities, arts, crafts and foods from around the world.

Kwanzaa Parade and Festival, Leimert Park Village, 43rd Place and Crenshaw Boulevard, Leimert Park. Festival, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; parade begins at noon Saturday. Free. (213) 955-5239.

* Also: Festival runs from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.

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SUNDAY

Waltzing right in

Vienna’s bubbly New Year’s Day Concert is familiar around the world through televised broadcasts. This touring version, “Salute to Vienna,” officially recognized by the mayor of Vienna, carries the fizz to 29 cities in the United States and Canada. Conductor Klaus Arp will preside over more than 75 musicians, singers and dancers in a pop-the-cork celebration of waltz king Johann Strauss Jr. and his contemporaries.

“Salute to Vienna,” Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., L.A. 2:30 p.m. Sunday. $38 to $105. (213) 365-3500.

* Also 8 p.m. Tuesday at Cerritos Center, 12700 Center Court Drive, Cerritos. $59 to $73. (800) 300-4345.

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‘Garden’ grows

Befitting the psychedelic properties of its country-rock hybrids, Beachwood Sparks exerts a lingering spell on the Los Angeles music world. Every Sunday in January, members of such B-Sparks spinoff bands as the Tyde, Frausdots, the Messes and Mystic Chords of Memory will get together for a collaborative live session under the banner “New Winter Garden Music.” Expect the ethereal but brace for a beat.

“New Winter Garden Music,” Spaceland, 1717 Silver Lake Blvd., Silver Lake. 9 p.m. Sunday. Free. (323) 661-4380.

* Also: 9 p.m. every Sunday in January.

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TUESDAY

Geometry of love

A kidnapped Nubian princess, an Egyptian princess and the soldier they both love are star-crossed lovers in the return of “Aida,” Disney’s Elton John-Tim Rice musical romance based on the Verdi opera.

“Aida,” Kavli Theatre, Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks. (805) 583-8700. 8 p.m. Tuesday through Jan. 8, 7 p.m. Jan. 9, 2 p.m. Jan. 8-9; ends Jan. 9. $48.50-$54.50.

* Also: Terrace Theater, Long Beach Performing Arts Center, 300 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, 8 p.m. Jan. 14-15, 7 p.m. Jan. 16, 2 p.m. Jan. 15-16. $42.50-$48.50. (213) 480-3232. Pasadena Civic Auditorium, 300 E. Green St., Pasadena, 8 p.m. Jan. 21-22, 7 p.m. Jan. 23, 2 p.m. Jan. 22-23. $45.50-$51.50. (213) 480-3232.

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Florals blossom

Three years ago, Daniel Phill began a series of works that incorporate layers of acrylic paint, gesso, ink, crayon and pastel, with expressive brushstrokes to create vibrant floral renderings. What came out of this project was “Botanicals,” a collection of colorful paintings that aim to evoke primitive, Abstract Expressionist art forms and, according to the artist, “allusive representations of plants and flowers.”

“Daniel Phill: Botanicals,” George Billis Gallery, 2716 S. La Cienega Blvd., L.A. Opens Tuesday. (310) 838-3685.

* Hours: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. Ends Feb. 12.