TODAYJAZZAttuned to the club and schoolhouseAlthough he...

TODAY

JAZZ

Attuned to the club and schoolhouse

Although he has earned critics’ praise as a fine jazz pianist, Dave Frishberg is most acclaimed for his songwriting. Since the late 1960s, his albums have garnered four best jazz vocal Grammy nominations. His work is familiar to Gen-Xers: He wrote the classic “I’m Just a Bill” and other tunes for ABC’s “Schoolhouse Rock” series of the 1970s. Some of his songs have become cult classics -- “I’m Hip,” “My Attorney Bernie,” “Van Lingle Mungo,” “Peel Me a Grape” and “You Are There” -- and been recorded by such artists as Rosemary Clooney, Michael Feinstein, Diana Krall, Blossom Dearie and Mel Torme.

Dave Frishberg, Jazz Bakery, 3233 Helms Ave., Culver City. 8 and 9:30 p.m. today. $25-$30. (310) 271-9039.

* Also 8 and 9:30 p.m. Friday to Sunday.

MUSIC

Scandinavia classics

Grieg’s Piano Concerto in A minor was once a staple of the concert hall. But its appealing tunefulness fell out of favor during the hyper-intellectual fervor of recent decades. Norwegian pianist Leif Ove Andsnes, who certainly is an advocate for new music, has no hesitation in making a case for the work by his countryman, however. He’ll play it with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, led by Esa-Pekka Salonen. The Scandinavian-themed program will also include works by Finn, Jean Sibelius and Swede, Wilhelm Stenhammar.

Leif Ove Andsnes and the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., L.A. 8 p.m. today. $15 to $129. (323) 850-2000. www.LAPhil.com/tickets.

* Also 8 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. Saturday.

EVENTS

Watch those antlers

Reindeer Romp, the L.A. Zoo’s annual holiday celebration with seasonal entertainment, crafts, winter scenes, Santa and live reindeer, has returned and will run through Jan. 1. Zoo attendees will be able to get up close and personal with these exotic animals from up north. Children will have the opportunity to make their own reindeer antlers to take home. New this year is a separate nighttime program from 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 10 to 23 that will feature entertainment, crafts, reindeer and Santa, plus holiday lights and a 20% discount at the Zoo gift shops.

Reindeer Romp, Los Angeles Zoo, 5333 Zoo Drive Griffith Park, L.A., daily except Christmas Day, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Ends Jan. 1. $5-$10, 1 and younger, free. (323) 644-4200.

* Also Reindeer Romp Under the Stars, Dec. 10-23, 6-9 p.m. $2.

BOOKS

Brothers

in indies

It’s one of Hollywood’s most potent siren songs for young upstarts: those legends of enterprising filmmakers scraping together cinematic gold with little more than a Visa card, a camera and, in Robert Rodriguez’s case, a wheelchair as a makeshift dolly. Tempering dream with reality, indie auteurs and twin brothers Mark and Michael Polish have co-written with Jonathan Sheldon “The Declaration of Independent Filmmaking: An Insider’s Guide to Making Movies Outside of Hollywood.” Best known for their haunting tale “Twin Falls Idaho,” the brothers share practiced tips on every step of the process, from script-writing to distribution.

Mark and Michael Polish, Diesel Bookstore, 3890 Cross Creek Road, Malibu. 7 p.m. today. Free. (310) 456-9961.

THEATER

Brits put on a spectacle

Characters, stories and performances collide; mayhem, camp and anarchy run rampant -- and what’s with the gorilla suit? British experimental theater company Forced Entertainment is in town with its darkly humorous visual spectacle “Bloody Mess,” a metaphoric vision of the modern world and beyond.

A U.S. premiere, this unconventional romp, directed by Tim Etchells, is the last offering in UCLA Live’s 2005-06 International Theatre Festival. Recommended for mature audiences.

“Bloody Mess,” Freud Playhouse, UCLA, 405 Hilgard Ave., Westwood. 8 p.m. today. $28 and $40. (310) 825-2101.

* Also 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 7 p.m. Sunday. Ends Sunday.

FRIDAY

MUSEUMS

How’s the

weather

out there?

First Fridays at the Natural History Museum is a monthly event featuring round-table discussions, dance, film, fashion and music focusing on

the museum’s current

exhibition -- in this case, “Collapse.” This month’s theme centers on energy, climate change and

ecological survival with a talk by Pulitzer Prize winner Jared Diamond, director Peter Sellars and

environmental policy experts John Merson and Peter Gleick. The evening ends with musical performances by drummers Kinnara Taiko, African reggae artist Rocky Dawuni and soul group the Rebirth.

* First Fridays at the Natural History Museum, 900 Exposition Blvd., L.A. 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday. $15. (866) 468-3399.

MOVIES

Road trip, with a twist

“Dangerous Housewives’ ” Felicity Huffman steps into the shoes (not to mention bra and girdle) of one of those types of roles that awards groups love in the comedic drama “Transamerica.” Bree Osbourne is a preoperative male-to-female transsexual on the brink of taking the final step when she learns she has a grown son named Toby (Kevin Zegers) who’s been picked up by the police in New York. Bree reluctantly goes to bail him out and winds up driving him back to Los Angeles on a journey where they face their unusual circumstances. Fionnula Flanagan, Graham Greene and Elizabeth Pena co-star. Duncan Tucker wrote and directed.

Transamerica, rated R for sexual content, nudity, language and drug use, opens Friday exclusively at Laemmle’s Sunset 5, 8000 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, (323) 848-3500.

THEATER

A holiday parody

Troubadour Theater Company, known for its annual clown-and-pop music spins on Christmas classics, continues its anarchic holiday tradition with “Little Drummer Bowie,” a parody of “The Little Drummer Boy” carol set to the music of rock legend David Bowie.

“Little Drummer Bowie,” Falcon Theatre, 4252 Riverside Drive, Burbank. Opens 8 p.m. Friday. $30-$37.50. (818) 955-8101. www.falcontheatre.com.

* Runs 8 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 4 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 4 and 7 p.m. Sunday. Ends Dec. 23.

SATURDAY

MUSIC

Hitting the classical

high notes

Mozart’s eloquent solo motet, “Exsultate, jubilate,” ends with a virtuosic “Alleluia” that challenges the artistry of any singer. Coloratura soprano Tracy Dahl will sing the work with the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, led by Jeffrey Kahane. Also on her plate: “Endless Pleasure” from Handel’s “Semele” and Zerbinetta’s aria from Strauss’ “Ariadne auf Naxos.” The program also includes orchestral works by Handel and Strauss.

Tracy Dahl and Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Alex Theatre, 216 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale. 8 p.m. Saturday. $17 to $75. (213) 662-7001, Ext. 215.

* Also 7 p.m. Sunday, Royce Hall, UCLA, Westwood.

TUESDAY

POP MUSIC

Country man Urban in the city

Keith Urban may be country music’s hottest pinup boy, but there’s realtalent behind the ruggedgood looks. The Australian singer-songwriter, recently named entertainer of the year by the Country Music Assn., demonstrates an appreciation for roots country music and an often disarming vulnerability, along with the requisite words of honorable romantic intentions.

Keith Urban, Gibson Amphitheatre, 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City. 7:15 p.m. Tuesday. $45. (818) 777-3931.

* Also 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Arrowhead Pond, 2695 E. Katella Ave., Anaheim. $35 to $45. (714) 704-2500.