TODAYMUSICTriumph, uncertaintyBeethoven’s mighty Ninth Symphony (“Choral”) is...

TODAY

MUSIC

Triumph, uncertainty

Beethoven’s mighty Ninth Symphony (“Choral”) is paired with Ligeti’s Requiem in this installment of the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s “Beethoven Unbound” series. Whereas Beethoven’s Ninth ends in triumphant affirmation, Ligeti’s Requiem closes with a more uncertain air, perhaps better suited to our modern times. Esa-Pekka Salonen will conduct the Philharmonic and the Los Angeles Master Chorale. Soloists will include soprano Twyla Robinson, mezzo-soprano Jill Grove, tenor Marcus Haddock and bass-baritone Alan Held. Another chance to hear the Ninth will be Friday, when it’s paired with Beethoven’s Eighth.

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

* Also 8 p.m. Saturday.

* Beethoven’s Eighth and Ninth symphonies, 8 p.m. Friday. $15 to $175.

FRIDAY

BOOKS

Naked truth about porn

Hollywood Hills resident Allan MacDonell worked for almost 20 years at Larry Flynt Publications, climbing up the ranks from assistant copy editor at Hustler to executive editor of the whole kingdom, including satellite magazines Taboo and Barely Legal. Naturally, MacDonell has stories to tell, which he does with caustic wit in his memoir, “Prisoner of X: 20 Years in the Hole at Hustler Magazine.” MacDonell doesn’t try to hang Larry Flynt; after all, he points out, how can you defame a man who’s gone on record as having had sex with a chicken? Instead, he paints his former boss as a complicated figure and an avatar of 1st Amendment rights and creative freedom in the workplace, but also a bribing manipulator. Actor Woody Harrelson, who portrayed the publisher in the movie “The People vs. Larry Flynt,” once told MacDonell he had the best job in the world, but MacDonell, who scanned some 1,000 lurid photos a day and two porn videos a week, didn’t see it that way.

Allan MacDonell, Skylight Books, 1818 N. Vermont Ave. 7:30 p.m. Friday. Free. (323) 660-1175.

THEATER

They’re on their own

“Solomania!,” a series of four solo shows in repertory, opens with “Live From the Front” by hip-hop spoken-word artist Jerry Quickley (who tells of his travels to, and expulsion from, Iraq) and “¡Gaytino!,” Dan Guerrero’s look at a father-son relationship and a boyhood friendship through decades of Chicano history and the gay experience. The series continues with “Taking Flight,” Adriana Sevan’s seriocomic look at the cost of care giving, sacrifice and the resilience of the human spirit; and “The Watts Towers Project,” Roger Guenveur Smith’s new piece from the imagined “Hollywatts” of Smith’s childhood.

“Solomania!” Kirk Douglas Theatre, 9820 Washington Blvd., Culver City. “Live From the Front” opens 7:30 p.m. Friday. Also 8 p.m. Wednesday. “¡Gaytino!”: 9:30 p.m. Friday. Also 8 p.m. next Thursday. Call or go to the website for other schedule information. $20 to $40. (213) 628-2772. www.CenterTheatreGroup.org* “Taking Flight” opens 5 p.m. Sunday. Also 6:30 p.m. May 19. “The Watts Towers Project” opens 7 p.m. Sunday. Also 9 p.m. May 19. Series ends June 11.

MOVIES

A family is torn apart

Since establishing himself as a quirky leading man in the British comedies “Withnail & I” and “How to Get Ahead in Advertising,” Richard E. Grant has gone on to a distinguished character acting career in such films as “L.A. Story,” “The Player,” “The Age of Innocence” and “Gosford Park.” With the semiautobiographical “Wah-Wah,” Grant makes his feature writing-directing debut. Nicholas Hoult, Gabriel Byrne, Miranda Richardson and Emily Watson star in this coming-of-age drama about a family’s disintegration set in 1969, during the early days of Swaziland’s independence.

“Wah-Wah,” rated R for some language and brief sexuality, opens Friday in selected theaters.

SATURDAY

POP MUSIC

The beat won’t stop

Reggaeton’s once-relentless beat might have flagged slightly in recent months, but the party is still on. The team of Wisin y Yandel, known in its native Puerto Rico as “El Duo Dinamico,” brings its string of hits to the Gibson Amphitheatre, headlining Invasion del Reggaeton with Angel & Khriz, Rakin & Ken Y and KMW.

Invasion del Reggaeton, Gibson Amphitheatre, 100 Universal Plaza, Universal City. 8:15 p.m. Saturday. $55 to $110. (818) 622-4440.

DANCE

Steps come with ‘Bang’

Formed in 1986 and based in Quebec, Montreal Danse brings a contemporary program provocatively titled “Big Bang -- Desir” to the Luckman Fine Arts Complex at Cal State Los Angeles. Karine Ponties’ “Desirabilis” features music by Dominique Pauwels and Tom Waits. Jose Navas’ “The Heavens, Burning With Hours” has a score by Alexander MacSween. And music by John Adams accompanies Ae-Soon Ahn’s “One Second.” Definitely not kiddie fare.

Montreal Danse, Luckman Fine Arts Complex, Cal State L.A., 5151 State University Drive, L.A., 8 p.m. Saturday. $40 to $50. (323) 343-6600 or www.luckmanarts.org.

EVENTS

Have drum, will party

This year’s Santa Monica Festival will celebrate the city’s history, community, diversity and environmental awareness. A participatory drum circle will kick things off at 11 a.m. Saturday. For those who don’t bring their own, shakers, tambourines and other percussion instruments will be provided. Later on two solar-powered stages, the entertainment lineup will include the acclaimed L.A. band Quetzal, Bucovina Klezmer, the Viver Brasil Dance Company, Grupo Folklorico Herencia Mexicana, local high school ensembles and Downbeat Showdown, a talent competition. There will also be crafts, workshops and other attractions.

Santa Monica Festival, Clover Park, 2600 Ocean Park Blvd., Santa Monica, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. Free. (310) 458-8350.

FAMILY

Float like

a butterfly

Dance to the music, get in some yoga moves and sing along with the musical adventures of a butterfly and her pals as they make a predawn trek to surprise the sun in “The Ohmies Live!,” the nationally touring, interactive theatrical event created for ages 2 to 6.

“The Ohmies Live!” Geffen Playhouse, 10886 Le Conte Ave., L.A. Opens 11 a.m. Saturday. Adults, $10 and $12; age 12 and younger, $7 and $8. (310) 208-5454. www.geffenplayhouse.com* Runs 11 a.m. Saturdays; ends May 27.

MUSIC

Sounding great at 250

The Jacaranda chamber music series celebrates Mozart’s 250th birthday year with a program of ebullient, radiant music, opening with the solo motet “Exultate Jubilate” and ending with the joyous choral work “Vesperae solennes de confessore.” Maria Lazarova will be the soprano soloist in the motet and in the Vespers. The program also will include the Concerto for Flute and Harp, with flutist Pamela Vliek and harpist Maria Casale, and the evergreen serenade “Eine kleine Nachtmusik.”

Jacaranda, First Presbyterian Church, 1220 2nd St., Santa Monica. 8 p.m. Saturday. $20. (310) 451-1303.

SUNDAY

MUSIC

77-pieces strong, all for mom

The Henry Mancini Institute will present its 77-piece orchestra in a Mother’s Day concert at Disney Hall. The family-friendly program will include John Williams’ “Suite From Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” Duke Ellington’s “Mood Indigo” and George Gershwin’s “Suite From Porgy and Bess,” as well as pieces by Mancini and others. Acclaimed jazz bassist John Clayton will conduct the orchestra in a performance of his own composition “The C Zone” that will feature his son, pianist Gerald Clayton. Eighteen-year-old clarinetist Juan Leon will be the featured soloist in Aaron Copland’s “Clarinet Concerto.” Patrick Williams, Richard Kaufman and Joana Carneiro will also conduct.

Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra, Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. 2 p.m. Sunday. $15 to $37. (323) 850-2000.