Weekend events not to be missed in the L.A. area
Shakespeare at Theatricum Botanicum
THEATER
Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum launches another Shakespeare-y summer – out-of-doors, under the stars or the sun – with two of the Bard’s best: First up, a contemporized retelling of the tragic romance “Romeo and Juliet” set in East Jerusalem. And on Sunday, it’s the company’s signature staging of the sylvan fantasy “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Theatricum Botanicum, 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga. $10-$38.50; children 4 and under, free. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 3:30 p.m. Sunday. www.theatricum.com
Heidi Duckler Dance Theatre salutes L.A. Times journalist Charles Fletcher Lummis
DANCE
In the 1880s, the eccentric yet intrepid Los Angeles Times reporter Charles Fletcher Lummis made an epic cross-country trek from Cincinnati to Los Angeles, posting dispatches to the newspaper along the way – a feat feted in Heidi Duckler Dance Theatre’s new site-specific work “143 Days.” Local composers Chris Garcia and Jeronimo Rajchenberg provide live accompaniment, and an informal yet informative reception follows. The Autry’s Historic Southwest Museum, Mt. Washington Campus, 234 Museum Drive., L.A. $25-$40. 4 p.m. Saturday. www.heididuckler.org
L.A. Phil closes season with Bartók
CLASSICAL
Gustavo Dudamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonic close out the orchestra’s regular season with a Bartók-centric outing that showcases the Hungarian composer’s “Miraculous Mandarin Suite” and Viola Concerto featuring violist Carrie Dennis. Also on the program: Kodalys’ “Dances of Galánta” and Ligeti’s “Apparitions.” Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., L.A. $26.50-$203.50. 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. www.laphil.com
Indie duo Sofi Tukker performs at KCRW’s ‘Summer Nights’
POP MUSIC
New York-based indie duo Sofi Tukker, not to be confused with legendary singer and comedian Sophie Tucker (kids, ask your grandparents), help get the ball rolling for L.A. area radio station KCRW-FM’s annual “Summer Nights” series. KCRW’s Valida will spin some tunes to open and close the evening. One Colorado, 41 Hugus Alley, Pasadena. Free. 7:30 p.m. Saturday. www.kcrw.com
Andrea Bocelli at the Hollywood Bowl
CLASSICAL
Love is in the air, and in the arias, as Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli returns to the Hollywood Bowl to perform an evening of romantic favorites in that oh-so-soaring voice of his. So bring a blanket and snuggle up with your significant other. Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N. Highland Ave., Hollywood. $70-$525. 7:30 p.m. Sunday. www.hollywoodbowl.com
Jazz vocalist Freda Payne plays Catalina Bar & Grill
JAZZ
Freda Payne, the veteran jazz vocalist best remembered for her 1970s R&B hit “Band of Gold,” is still going strong and will sing standards and more in a two-night stand in Tinseltown. Catalina Bar & Grill, 6725 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood. 8:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; $25 plus dinner or two-drink minimum. www.ticketweb.com
