WEEKEND FORECAST

THURSDAY

Dance piece on life’s ‘kruelties’

A winner of two Lester Horton Dance Awards for his performances in his own contemporary choreography, Michael Mizerany has never been afraid of controversial issues. In a piece he calls “Kruel Summer,” he creates a dance drama that is a response to homophobia, the Christian right, the USA Patriot Act, militarism and Abu Ghraib. A review for San Diego Theatre Scene called Mizerany “a riveting soloist” and the work itself “a gutsy, heartfelt piece that raises important questions about the nature of torture.” But be warned: adult subject matter including nudity, sexual situations and violence.

“Kruel Summer,” Highways Performance Space, 1651 18th St., Santa Monica. 8:30 p.m.

today. $16. (310) 315-1459 or www.highwaysperformance.org.

* Also Friday and Saturday, 8:30 p.m.

FRIDAY

A global hip-hop hooray

Whether you pop, lock or krump -- or just like to watch -- the event billing itself as the USA & World Hip Hop Dance Championships will be busting a move in Redondo Beach. Friday night features about 20 teams in three age groups in the U.S. competition, as well as a performance by the Special Olympics hip-hop crew Original Beat. Sunday afternoon includes a panel discussion with hip-hop pioneers Don Campbell, Boogaloo Sam, Tommy the Clown and Easy Roc. And that night, teams from Brazil, Japan,

New Zealand and beyond are slated to square off.

Comedian Chris Spencer is the host.

USA & World Hip Hop Dance Championships, Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, 1935 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Redondo Beach. 7:30 p.m. Friday. $20 and $30. (800) 669-5867; www.hiphopinternational.com.

* Also 7:30 p.m. Sunday. Free panel discussion at noon Sunday, Manhattan Beach Marriott Hotel, 1400 Parkview Ave., Manhattan Beach.

Korean watercolors

The exhibition “Diversity of Watercolor:

Paintings by Three

Korean Artists” devotes itself to contemporary landscape paintings. Artist Ran Joo Kim concentrates on composition and color, Hye Kyung Park’s watercolor artworks capture contemporary perspectives of nature and Jong Oh Shin’s works are inspired by a single Chinese character.

“Diversity of Watercolor: Paintings by Three Korean Artists,” Korean Cultural Center, 5505 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. Opens on Friday. (323) 936-7141.

* Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Ends Aug. 25.

China and the modern world

Chinese director Jia Zhangke is considered one of the rising stars of world cinema, with the critically acclaimed features “Platform” and “Unknown Pleasures” charting contemporary China’s transition from Maoism to a market economy. “The World,” his first feature not banned by the Chinese government, explores the lives of the young people who come from the country’s remote provinces to Beijing to work at a surreal theme park that features scaled-down replicas of landmarks such as the Taj Mahal and the Eiffel Tower.

“The World,” unrated, opens Friday at Laemmle’s Fairfax Cinemas, 7907 Beverly Blvd., (323) 655-4010; and Landmark’s Westside Pavilion Cinemas, Westside Pavilion, 10800 W. Pico Blvd., (310) 281-8223.

SATURDAY

A Hummer of a show

KKBT-FM’s (100.3) annual concert has brought in a burly sponsor, so it’s now known as the Beat Hummer Summer Jam. Whatever the name, it pulls in some of the biggest acts in hip-hop and R&B;, and none is bigger than Kanye West, who figures to be previewing material from his imminent and highly anticipated new album. Others on the show include T.I., Lil’ Kim, Common, Jermaine Dupri, Toni Braxton and Nick Cannon.

The Beat Hummer Summer Jam, Home Depot Center, 1000 E. Victoria St., Carson. 1 p.m. Saturday. $15 to $125. (310) 630-2020.

SUNDAY

He makes jazz fun

Hayes Greenfield has been called the Leonard Bernstein of jazz for his informative, entertaining efforts to bring jazz to young people. In his live, interactive show “Jazz-A-Ma-Tazz,” Greenfield’s quartet presents the music in a participatory fashion, encouraging response via scatting, singing, movement and call-and-response. “When I get done with them,” Greenfield says, “they leave chanting, singing and knowing that jazz is alive and well and not old-fogy music.”

“Jazz-A-Ma-Tazz,” Greystone Mansion and Park, 905 Loma Vista Drive, Beverly Hills. 10 a.m. Sunday. $8 (ages 2 and younger, free). Advance purchase required. Info: (310) 550-4796. Ticket purchase: (310) 550-4753.

Idyllwild comes to Disney Hall

As they have every year since 1957 during the Idyllwild Summer Arts Program, a bevy of young musicians has gathered in the San Jacinto Mountains this week to study and rehearse. The results of that concentration will be heard at Walt Disney Concert Hall in an evening with the Idyllwild Music Festival Orchestra, featuring players from more than 25 countries. All tickets are $10, which makes the event a chance to see the hall for a bargain as well as an opportunity to hear Mussorgsky’s “Pictures at an Exhibition” and Bernstein’s Symphonic Dances from “West Side Story,” among other selections, conducted by former USC Thornton School Dean Larry J. Livingston.

Idyllwild Music Festival Orchestra, Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave, L.A. 7:30 p.m. Sunday. $10. (213) 365-3500.