Happenings Saturday-Sunday, April 30, 2011

MUSIC

Stagecoach festival Kenny Chesney, Rascal Flatts and Carrie Underwood are all veterans of the Stagecoach Festival, colloquially regarded as “the country Coachella.” Their megastar wattage gets a nice underpinning this year from grizzled veterans such as Kris Kristofferson and Leon Russell and edgy youngsters such as Phosphorescent and the Punch Brothers. Empire Polo Grounds, Indio. Today-Sun. https://www.stagecoachfestival.com.

EVENTS

‘Skydreamers’ The new exhibition at the Autry traces the history of human flight through photos, artworks and memorabilia. The Autry, 4700 Western Heritage Way, L.A. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. today and Sun. $10 adults, $6 students and seniors, $4 children 3-12, free for children under 3. (323) 667-2000. https://www.theautry.org

LéaLA Not far from The Times’ own Festival of Books at USC, a new literary tradition will begin as LéaLA, a Spanish-language book fair, makes its debut. The fair will feature panel discussions, book signings, talks, cultural programs and live entertainment. Participating authors include Isabel Allende, Laura Restrepo, Francisco Martín Moreno and Xavier Velasco. Los Angeles Convention Center, 1201 S. Figueroa St., L.A. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. today-Sun. Free. https://www.lea-la.com

Houdini: Art and Magic The magician and escape artist Harry Houdini is the focus of a groundbreaking exhibition, complete with more than 150 artifacts, including historical film clips, posters and the original props. Skirball Center. 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd. Tours begin Sunday. Open noon-5 p.m. Tues-Fri. and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat.-Sun. Through Sept. 4. $10. (310) 440-4500. https://www.skirball.org

Pasadena Doo Dah Parade The parade is famous for its egalitarian spirit and its wiggy, offbeat style. This spoof of that “other Pasadena parade” is a toast to madness and mayhem. This year’s highlights include an actual Doo Dah wedding, Dr. Steel’s Army of Toy Soldiers and perennial favorites BBQ & Hibachi Marching Grill Team, the Men of Leisure and the Doo Dah house band, Snotty Scotty & the Hankies. Colorado Boulevard between Altadena Drive and San Gabriel Boulevard, Pasadena. 11 a.m. Free. (626) 356-9725. https://www.pasadenadoodahparade.info

Los Angeles Times Festival of Books After 15 years at UCLA, the two-day festival has moved to USC. What remains constant are the oodles of authors, panels, readings, signings, cooking demos and plenty to interest young readers — not to mention dozens of exhibitor booths for publishers, bookstores, literary magazines and local organizations such as WriteGirl and 826LA. Notable participants this year include Patti Smith, Dave Eggers, Jamie Lee Curtis, Ted Danson, T.C. Boyle, Thomas Keller, Patton Oswalt and R.L. Stine. USC, 3551 Trousdale Parkway, L.A. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. today; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun. Free. (213) 237-BOOK. events.latimes.com/festivalofbooks.