WEEKEND FORECAST

TODAY

‘Pathways’ of artistic creativity

The second installment of a three-venue retrospective, “African American Artists in Los Angeles, A Survey Exhibition: Pathways (1966-1989)” highlights 30 years of creativity by the local African American art community. The exhibition features abstract, Pop and politically charged paintings, sculptures and murals by more than 70 artists, including Ernie Barnes, Bill Crite, Tina Allen and David Hammons.

“African American Artists in Los Angeles, A Survey Exhibition: Pathways (1966-1989),” California African American Museum, Exposition Park, 600 State Drive, L.A. Opens today. Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays. Free. (213) 744-7432.

* Through April 2.

FRIDAY

Foursome from Berlin

Composed of the four principal string players of the Berlin Philharmonic, the Philharmonia Quartett Berlin has built an impressive international reputation since its founding in 1984. Violinists Daniel Stabrawa and Christian Stadelmann, violist Neithard Resa and cellist Jan Diesselhorst will come to the Doheny Mansion to play Haydn’s “Sunrise” Quartet, Mozart’s Quartet in E flat, K. 428, and Brahms’ Quartet in A minor, Opus 51, No. 2. Their concert is presented by the Da Camera Society of Mount St. Mary’s College.

Philharmonia Quartett Berlin, Pompeian Room, Doheny Mansion, 8 Chester Place, L.A. 8 p.m. Friday. $58 and $82. (213) 477-2929.

Love and patriotism

The Chinese film “Purple Butterfly,” directed by Lou Ye (“Suzhou River”) takes its name from a resistance group planning to assassinate the head of the Japanese secret service in 1930. Zhang Ziyi (currently in “House of Flying Daggers”) stars as a member of the group whose fate intersects with her former love (Toru Nakamura), now a Japanese secret agent, as tensions between their two countries heighten.

“Purple Butterfly,” rated R for strong violence and a scene of sexuality, opens Friday exclusively at Laemmle’s Fairfax Cinemas, 7907 Beverly Blvd., L.A., (323) 655-4010.

SATURDAY

The lure of Arcade Fire

Verge-of-stardom shoo-ins Arcade Fire put on one of the hottest shows in Spaceland’s 10-year history when they played the Silver Lake club last month, and as the Montreal band returns for a date at the Troubadour, tickets are sold out. But there are always ways, especially when the attraction is as enticing as this eclectic, intense and emotional outfit, whose “Funeral” has made its mark on a lot of the year-end best-album lists.

Arcade Fire, the Troubadour, 9081 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood. 8 p.m. Saturday. (310) 276-6168.

* Also: 6:30 and 9:30 p.m. Sunday. All shows are sold out.

Dabbling

in Dolphy

Los Angeles native Eric Dolphy was a multiple-reed virtuoso-composer-arranger who first made his mark in the 1950s Central Avenue jazz scene. He performed and recorded with many jazz luminaries, including John Coltrane, Ornette Coleman and Charles Mingus. Although Dolphy died prematurely in 1964 at 36, he left behind a body of work that is most noted for its rule-breaking originality and complex harmonies. With “Mostly Dolphy,” the Luckman Jazz Orchestra, led by James Newton, will pay tribute Saturday. Before the concert, jazz trumpeter Buddy Collette will be the guest speaker at a Luckman Studio Talk at 7 p.m.

“Mostly Dolphy,” Luckman Fine Arts Complex, Cal State L.A., 5151 State University Drive, L.A. 8 p.m. Saturday. $30 to $40. (323) 343-6600.

Pieces of an architect

The Getty Center,

Barcelona’s Museum of Contemporary Art and the Jubilee Church in Rome are some of Richard Meier’s most high-profile architectural projects. However, the exhibition “Collages” offers a rarer and more personal look at the architect’s creativity. Found objects incorporated in his works were collected throughout his world travels and reflect his spatial designs. To Meier, the collages “must be seen as an element in my total work; they are an adjunct and a passion related to my life as an architect.”

“Richard Meier: Collages,” Gagosian Gallery, 456 N. Camden Drive, Beverly Hills. (310) 271-9400. Opens Saturday. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays.

* Through Feb. 12.

TUESDAY

A musical that’s OK

Romance, passion, sunshine and shadows on the old frontier: “Oklahoma!,” the Rodgers and Hammerstein collaboration that redefined the American musical, is presented by Broadway/L.A. in a new touring version adapted from the Cameron Mackintosh Royal National Theatre production.

“Oklahoma!,” Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. Opens 8 p.m. Tuesday. $42 to $67. (213) 480-3232. www.ticketmaster.com

* Runs 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sundays. Ends Jan. 30.