The Oaks in Thousand Oaks - 350 W. Hillcrest Dr., Thousand Oaks.  Kids fall in love with Tia! and her music because she brings to the stage a tremendous energy -- that special quality in a children's "Edu-tainer" that makes even the most bashful kid join in. If you have never attended a Tia! concert, here's your chance to experience a high-energy concert full of participation for the whole family.  Performance: 10:30 a.m.  FREE.
http://www.quackertunes.com/

West Los Angeles Regional Library - 11360 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles. Strum along and sing to upbeat, folky-pop original and traditional songs and stories..  Performance: 4:15-5:00 p.m.  FREE.
http://www.lapl.org/

Ford Amphitheatre - 2580 Cahuenga Bl. East, Hollywood.  Choreographer Ting-Ting Chang bridges East and West with her Chinese-flavored contemporary dance. The philosophy of the Yin (female energy) and Yang (male energy), achieving balance and harmony in space, underlies the title work of the evening, Falling Petals. Chang’s wide-ranging inspirations - European paintings, Chinese poetry, Asian disciplines such as Butoh - inform her elegant creations.   Performance: 8:30 p.m.  Tickets: $25.00 general; $8.00 students and children.
http://fordtheatres.org

Sierra Madre Playhouse - 87 W. Sierra Madre Bl., Sierra Madre.  Presented by Fairy Tale Theatre—It's Sleeping Beauty's wedding day and the curse of the evil fairy is about to come to pass. The princess will prick her finger and the entire kingdom will sleep forever!   Performance: 11:00 a.m. & 2:00 p.m.  Tickets: $18.00 adults; $12.00 children under 12.
http://www.sierramadreplayhouse.org

Ford Amphitheatre - 2580 Cahuenga Bl. East, Hollywood.  A stunning celebration that captures the music and dance rhythms of the Son Jarocho, Danzon and Huasteco traditions of Veracruz, Mexico.  Featuring Ballet Folklorico Ollin, Hermanos Herrera, Mariachi Master Apprentice Program and Conjunto Ollin.   Performance: 7:30 p.m.  Tickets: $25.00 general; $12.00 students and children.
http://fordtheatres.org

Mission San Juan Capistrano - 26801 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano.  Nobody does it like these guys. They are back again in 2010 and will be better than ever! This fabulous foursome looks, sounds, walks and talks like the real thing – The Beatles. Just as in 2009, the 2010 show will open with a performance by their talented crooner friend – Bill Horn, who will cover popular hits of the 70s, 80s and 90s on solo guitar. Bill was once named as California Country Music Association’s “Lead Guitar Player of the Year”, and has the chops to show for it   Performance: 6:30-9:30 p.m.  Tickets: $20.00-$40.00.
http://missionsjc.com/

Hermosa Beach and Pier - Hermosa Ave., Hermosa Beach. People flock to Fiesta Hermosa each year for not only the art fair, but for the Music – which is always of the highest caliber. There are two stages featuring live music – one at the Main Stage on the Pier and another in the Charity Beer & Wine Garden. The Main Stage features the finest “tribute bands” performing the classic rock of bands such as Led Zeppelin, the Eagles, Jimi Hendrix, Phil Collins, Fleetwood Mac, and Crosby Stills Nash & Young, to name just a few. Rock n’ roll, zydeco, country western, and rhythm and blues are showcased in the Charity Beer & Wine Garden. The Kiddie Carnival features a 30 foot slide, mechanical rides, rock climbing wall and bungee jump, and games for kids from 3 to 10 years old. Pony rides, a Petting Zoo, and facepainters are sure to delight the little ones.  Hours:  10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.  FREE.
http://www.fiestahermosa.com/

Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum - 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Bl., Topanga. Peter Himmelman is a critically lauded rock troubadour, a Grammy nominated creator of children’s music, and an Emmy nominated film and television composer with a wonderful new children’s album.  Performance: 11:00 a.m.  Tickets: $8.00.
http://www.theatricum.com

Bowers Museum - 2002 N. Main St., Santa Ana. Celebrate Mexican Independence and Day of the Dead at this family festival sponsored by Target. The festival will have an assortment of live entertainment including Mariachi Kids playing traditional music of Mexico, Xipe Totec performing traditional dances and music of Mexico's Azteca and more!  Hours:  12:00-3:30 p.m.  FREE.
http://www.bowers.org

Zimmer Museum - 6505 Wilshire Bl., Los Angeles.  Rosh Hashanah is just around the corner, and it’s never too soon to start your New Year sweet! Come join the Zimmer today for a great start to the year soon to come! The festival will feature: Games like Rosh Hashanah Bingo.You’ll learn about this special holiday, have fun, and earn cool prizes!; Shofar Scavenger Hunt—The Zimms got a little too excited about celebrating our New Year, and they’ve left shofars scattered all over the Museum! Can you find all the shofars in the Zimmer today?; Art—Honey Bee Honey Pots. We all know that honey comes from bees, but today we’re going to turn our honey pots into bees! Add a little buzz to your holiday table with a little honey filled bumble bee; Sweet Snacks—They’ll have Apples and Honey and Cookies on hand to start the New Year right!  Hours: 2:30-4:00 p.m.  FREE.
http://www.zimmermuseum.org

South Coast Botanic Garden - 26300 Crenshaw Bl., Palos Verdes. Bring a picnic, blanket or lawn chairs and enjoy the music on the Upper Meadow. Garden Opens: 4:00 p.m.  Concert:  5:00-7:00 p.m.  Cost:  $5.00 adults; FREE for children under 12.
http://www.southcoastbotanicgarden.org

Natural History Museum - 900 Exposition Bl., Los Angeles.   Enter a world of free flying butterflies and stroll through a beautifully landscaped temporary exhibit housed at the Museum's South Lawn. See a giant swallowtail, monarch, American painted Lady or even a California dogface - California's state butterfly. Over the summer, thirty different butterfly and moth species will call the pavilion home. Discover how butterflies interact with the plants and gain a new understanding of various environmental issues.  Hours: 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Pavillion Admission: $3.00 adults; $2.00 seniors & students: $1.00 children 5-12; Free for children under 5. Museum Admission: $9.00 adults; $ 6.50 seniors, students & children 13-17; $2.00 children 5-12;  Free for children under age 5.   Exhibit runs through Sept. 6, 2010.
http://www.nhm.org

Los Angeles County Museum of Art - 5905 Wilshire Bl., Los Angeles.   1958/color/108 min. | Scr: Richard Brooks, James Poe; dir: Richard Brooks; w/ Elizabeth Taylor, Paul Newman, Burl Ives. Rated PG. A Southern house is divided by patriarchal dominance and the marital problems between one of the sons, a heavy drinker, and his wife..   Time:  1:00 p.m.  Tickets: $10.00 general; $7.00 museum members, seniors & students.
http://www.lacma.org/

Annenbery Community Beach House - 415 Pacific Coast Highway, Santa Monica.   Beach=Culture and the Red Hen Poetry Series present a celebration of contemporary poetry in a seaside setting; the third of three readings this summer. Three poets will read from their acclaimed works: Douglas Kearney, recipient of a Cave Canem Fellowship, Caleb Barber, Pushcart Prize nominee, and Claudia Rankine, recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship.   Time:  6:30-8:30 p.m.  FREE, parking $8.00. Reservations are required.
http://beachhouse.smgov.net

Kids Club at The Commons at Calabasas - 4799 Commons Way, Calabasas.   The Party-Time Puppets are a colorful assortment of delightful puppet characters! Join us for a unique show that will make us laugh as we learn some simple and sweet morals. This show is sure to engage the young and the young at heart!  Time: 6:00 p.m.  FREE.
http://www.shopcommons.com

Norton Simon Museum of Art - 411 W. Colorado Bl., Pasadena..  Master performers Wakana Hanayagi, Jyorokusho Kineya, Kikusa Katada and Yasoyo Kineya of the Japanese Traditional Performing Arts Organization present a concert of traditional Japanese music and dance in a Japanese theater setting. Included are musical pieces for nagauta, the ensemble that traditionally accompanies kabuki theater performances, and for koto, a large stringed instrument, like a zither, which has a long history in Japan.
Performance: 7:00 p.m.   Free with Museum Admission: $8.00 adults; $4.00 seniors (62 and above); FREE for patrons 18 and under. 
http://www.nortonsimon.org/

Ford Amphitheatre - 2580 Cahuenga Bl. East, Hollywood.  This retro circus floor show celebrates the evolution of swing jazz. A big band, featuring some of LA’s coolest players in fabulous selections from the golden era of jazz, is joined by a variety of outstanding circus artists creating madcap mayhem with daring feats of acrobatics and athleticism. This vintage flashback pays tribute to Los Angeles’ own rich jazz heritage as well as the Ford’s own storied history.   Performance: 8:30 p.m.  Tickets: $30.00-$40.00 general; $12.00 students and children.
http://fordtheatres.org

St. Sophia Cathedral - 1324 S. Normandie Ave., Los Angeles.  The yearly L.A. Greek Fest is held on the Grand Plaza of the St. Sophia Cathedral located in the Byzantine Latino Quarter of Los Angeles. Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson are the celebrity guest hosts. This event is L.A.'s premier Greek festival featuring the best of Greek foods, pastries, music, and folk dancing along with exotic gifts and arts and craft booths, making this festival a trip to Greece without the traveling expenses.  Hours: 5:00-11:00 p.m. Fri.; 1:00-11:00 p.m. Sat.; 12:00-10:00 p.m. Sun. Admission: $5.00; Children under 12 are FREE.
http://www.lagreekfest.com

Rainbow Lagoon - 400-403 Shoreline Village Dr., Long Beach. The Original Long Beach Lobster Festival features fresh Maine Lobsters flown in nightly from the icy waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Bristol Farms Master Chef Bruce Jacobs and crew serve unforgettable Lobster Dinners, steamed to mouth-watering perfection in the world\'s largest lobster steamers. Feasts include; sweet, succulent lobster, melted butter dipping sauce, fresh cut lemons, coleslaw, dinner roll and watermelon. Also, International food court, beer & wine gardens, arts & crafts booths, amazing live entertainment, dancing and a children’s area create the largest Lobster Festival outside of Maine, right here in Southern California.   Hours  5:00-11:00 p.m. Tickets:  General Admission (does not include lobster feast) - $13.00 in advance; $15.00 at the door; FREE for children 12 and under when accompanied by a paying adult; Admission with Lobster Feast - $25.00 in advance; $35.00 at the door.
http://www.originallobsterfestival.com/

Norton Simon Museum - 411 W. Colorado Bl., Pasadena.   Be dramatic or comedic as you pen an idea for a play, and then create a set design inspired by painters who were trained in set, interior and garden design centuries ago. Time: 1:00-2:30 p.m.  FREE with Museum Admission: $8.00 adults; $4.00 seniors; Free for 18 and under.
http://www.nortonsimon.org

The Broad Stage - 1310 11th St., Santa Monica.  This Persian composer, vocalist and performance artist will take you on a magical journey to an entirely new musical experience. Sussan Deyhim transports audiences with her profoundly moving fusion of traditional orchestrations, Western vocal technique and the mysticism of Middle Eastern music. Guest appearance by Mohsen Namjoo and Ardeshir Farah.   Performance: 7:30 p.m.  Tickets: $57.00-$95.00
http://thebroadstage.com/

Sierra Madre Playhouse - 87 W. Sierra Madre Bl., Sierra Madre.  Presented by Fairy Tale Theatre—In the tale, a spoiled princess reluctantly befriends a frog who magically transforms into a handsome prince.   Performance: 11:00 a.m. & 2:00 p.m.  Tickets: $18.00 adults; $12.00 children under 12.
http://www.sierramadreplayhouse.org

El Pueblo Historical Monument - 125 Paseo de la Plaza, Los Angeles. This two-day celebration features historical exhibits, cultural activities, an eclectic mix of entertainment, food and more. It is located at the historic Olvera Street Plaza.
Hours: 10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.  FREE.
http://www.allaccess.la/

Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center - 3050 Los Angeles Ave., Simi Valley.  From the creators of CABARET, and CHICAGO comes this hilarious mix of Agatha Christie and 42nd Street. The leading lady is murdered during her opening night curtain call. As the bodies stack up, Boston Detective Lt. Frank Cioffi has to drag his net to catch the killer, and soon finds himself happily caught up in love, and in a musical headed for Broadway. This Tony Award-winning musical whodunnit by Kander & Ebb will have you guessing and toe-tapping till the final curtain falls! Performances: 8:00 p.m. Fri. & Sat.; 2:00 p.m. Sun. Tickets: $20.00 adults; $16.00 seniors and students; $14.00 children 12 and under.  Recommended for ages 10 to adult.
http://www.simi-arts.org

Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum - 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Bl., Topanga. A great introduction to bluegrass for any child!  Grab your partner and take them for a spin around the dance floor as you listen to this great, knee-slapping hootenanny music! Performance: 11:00 a.m.  Tickets: $8.00.
http://www.theatricum.com

Norton Simon Museum - 411 W. Colorado Bl., Pasadena.  Today's Theme: BACK TO SCHOOL. Hear tales about the ABCs of being a student, and then design your own book bag in front of Francisco de Zurbarán’s Portrait of Fray Diego Deza, c. 1630.
Time: 2:00-3:00 p.m.  FREE with Museum Admission: $8.00 adults; $4.00 seniors; Free for 18 and under.
http://www.nortonsimon.org

Zimmer Museum - 6505 Wilshire Bl., Los Angeles.  Today's Program: BOXES FOR TIKUN OLAM. Yom Kippur is a chance for us to lay out a plan of goodness for the New Year ahead. We can work to make our lives better and our world better. Today we’ll be making special boxes to fill up with coins we can give to charity. Let’s all work together to create Tikun Olam and fix our world!  Hours: 2:30-4:00 p.m.  Admission: $3.00 for non-members (Free for members)  in addition to Museum Admission of $8.00 adults; $5.00 children (3-12). Grandparents are free when accompanied by a grandchild.
http://www.zimmermuseum.org

The Americana at Brand - Americana Way, Glendale.  The Pasadena Symphony Association's Musical Circus is a perennial favorite for children 3-8 years of age. This year the Circus will debut in Glendale at The Americana at Brand. It will begin with the instrument "petting zoo" where youngsters can toot flutes, blow trumpets, pluck violins and cellos and bang on percussion instruments and will follow with an abridged musical program geared toward the children. Today’s Program:  HOORAY FOR HOLLYWOOD! Bring the whole family for an afternoon of fun music making!  Time: 2:00-3:30 p.m.   FREE.  Recommended for ages 3-8.
http://www.theorchestras.org

Bowers Museum - 2002 N. Main St., Santa Ana. Calling all grandchildren! Invite your grandparents to celebrate family heritage at a presentation of this nationally recognized observance. Spend time creating new memories and cherishing each other! Listen to entertaining stories and sing-a-long to your favorite folk songs and they'll even help you begin to create your family tree! 
Hours:  11:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m.  FREE with Museum Admission: $12.00 adults; $9.00 seniors, students and children (6-17); FREE for kids under 6.
http://www.bowers.org

Ford Amphitheatre - 2580 Cahuenga Bl. East, Hollywood.  The Fureys and Davey Arthur at last make their U.S. West Coast debut! Part of the continuum of playing, singing, dancing and storytelling that has united Irish everywhere, The Fureys are musical kin to the folksingers of the 1960s and 1970s. Their “Green Fields of France” is former British Prime Minister Tony Blair’s favorite peace song of all time. Vocalist/guitarist Ken O’Malley, a Dublin native now based in L.A., and the Los Angeles Police Emerald Society Pipes and Drums inaugurate the evening.   Performance: 7:00 p.m.  Tickets: $29.00-$39.00 general; $12.00 students and children.
http://fordtheatres.org

Discovery Science Center - 2500 Main St., Santa Ana.   Sometimes it’s stinky; sometimes it’s crusty; and sometimes it’s slimy. Explore why your body produces mushy, oozy, crusty, scaly and stinky gunk at Grossology: The (Impolite) Science of the Human Body. Based on the best-selling book Grossology, this exhibition uses sophisticated animatronics and imaginative exhibits to tell you the good, the bad and the downright ugly about runny noses, body odor and much more. Hours: 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Mon.-Sat.; 11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Sun.  Admission: $12.95 adults; $9.95 children 2 and older.  Exhibit runs through Sept. 12, 2010.
http://www.discoverycube.org

Ford Amphitheatre - 2580 Cahuenga Bl. East, Hollywood.  Get your creative and artistic juices flowing at the Ford Amphitheatre’s J.A.M. Sessions. Dance, sing, play your favorite instrument and engage in other fun activities guided by artists from the Ford season. Beginner, intermediate and advanced participants are all welcome. Tonight's Session: SAMBA ESCANDALO. Live the beat of Carnaval in Rio through samba dance and drum lessons. Be a hit at the next Brazilian party.  Time: 7:00 p.m.  FREE (Reservations Required).
http://fordtheatres.org

Kids Club at The Commons at Calabasas - 4799 Commons Way, Calabasas.   David’s juggling is so unique and amazing he can be found in the Guinness Book of World Records! This performer is constantly searching for new ways in which to challenge himself and his audiences! David involves children throughout his show!  Time: 6:00 p.m.  FREE.
http://www.shopcommons.com

Encino-Tarzana Library - 18231 Ventura Blvd., Tarzana. Georgette Baker provides a musical, multicultural, sing-along experience full of amazing stories and unusual artifacts. Time: 3:00-4:00 p.m.  FREE.
http://www.lapl.org/

The Lakes at Thousand Oaks - 2200 E. Thousand Oaks Bl., Thousand Oaks.  Kids fall in love with Tia! and her music because she brings to the stage a tremendous energy -- that special quality in a children's "Edu-tainer" that makes even the most bashful kid join in. If you have never attended a Tia! concert, here's your chance to experience a high-energy concert full of participation for the whole family.  Performance: 10:30 a.m.  FREE.
http://www.quackertunes.com/

Ford Amphitheatre - 2580 Cahuenga Bl. East, Hollywood.  LA dance companies come together in a show about breaking apart, each premiering an original work about “Fracture” accompanied by live musical compositions from members of String Theory. The experimental IN/EX troupe is creating their piece via Internet video from four different geographic locations. Invertigo’s work is marked by wit, whimsy and theatricality. Method lives in a high-speed world making "perfect unions at the outer limits of physical control" (L.A. Times). A pre-show in the entry plaza by Leonix Movement Theatre Ensemble heralds the collaboration.   Performance: 8:30 p.m.  Tickets: $35.00 general; $12.00 students and children.
http://fordtheatres.org

Crossley Terrace Theatre - 1760 N. Gower St., Hollywood.  Told backward in time from 1976 to 1957, three life-long friends connected by youth and all its promise, confront the present, the past and the choices each has made. From Stephen Sondheim, one of the most influential and accomplished composer/lyricists in musical theatre history, Merrily We Roll Along is the thrilling and compelling Broadway fable about friendship, compromise and the high price of success.   Performances: 8:00 p.m. Fri. & Sat.; 2:30 p.m. Sun.; 2:30 p.m. matinees on Sat. Sept. 25 & Sat. Oct. 2.  Tickets: $34.00 adults; $30.00 students & seniors (60 and over).
http://actorsco-op.org/

Mark Taper Auditorium, Central Library - 630 W. 5th St., Los Angeles.  Performing Books Presents THE COMPOSER IS DEAD, by Lemony Snicket. The Composer is dead and the Inspector must investigate all the instruments in the Orchestra to find out who is responsible. Performed by Keith Berger (mime artist), David Prather (storyteller), and Alan Steinberger (synthesizer).   Performances: 2:00 & 3:00 p.m.  FREE.   
http://www.lapl.org

Sierra Madre Playhouse - 87 W. Sierra Madre Bl., Sierra Madre.  Presented by Fairy Tale Theatre—Children in the audience become members of Long John Silver's pirate gang!   Performance: 11:00 a.m. & 2:00 p.m.  Tickets: $18.00 adults; $12.00 children under 12.
http://www.sierramadreplayhouse.org

The Broad Stage - 1310 11th St., Santa Monica.  Bring the whole family to this free community fiesta celebrating the Mexican Independence Bicentennial featuring the crowd-pleasing, Grammy-winning Mariachi Divas. The first all-female mariachi group to win the music industry’s highest honor, the multi-cultural line-up of women will keep you dancing with their big sound, high spirits and desire to inspire a new generation of music lovers and aspiring musicians. Come early to enjoy food and festivities on The Broad Plaza. Funding provided by Los Angeles County Arts Commission.   Performance: 2:00 p.m.  FREE.
http://thebroadstage.com/

Los Encinos State Historic Park - 16756 Moorpark St., Encino.  Families get the opportunity to journey back in time to Southern California in the 1870's. The day will include a working blacksmith's shop, music, activities for children and more. Time: 1:00-3:00 p.m. FREE.  Recommended for ages 3 and up.
http://los-encinos.org/

Zimmer Museum - 6505 Wilshire Bl., Los Angeles.  Today's Program: A VERY HUNGRY COLLAGE. Sukkot will be starting in just a few days. It’s time again to celebrate all of the wonderful fruits and veggies in our lives, and in our sukkah. Today we’ll be making fruit and vegetable collages to hang up, taking our inspiration from Eric Karle’s book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Hours: 2:30-4:00 p.m.  Admission: $3.00 for non-members (Free for members)  in addition to Museum Admission of $8.00 adults; $5.00 children (3-12). Grandparents are free when accompanied by a grandchild.
http://www.zimmermuseum.org

Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum - 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Bl., Topanga. Norman Jones plays his drums and beats exciting rhythms in family drum circles to introduce kids and their parents to the rudiments of participatory, music-making fun! Performance: 11:00 a.m.  Tickets: $8.00.
http://www.theatricum.com

Barnsdall Art Park - 4800 Hollywood Bl., Hollywood.  This 18th Annual Festival celebrate Thai arts and culture and will feature a variety of cultural performances, fruit and vegetable carving, children's activities, folk dancing, Thai massage, painting demonstrations and more. Hours: 11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.  FREE.
http://thaiculturalcenter.org/

Orange County Museum of Art - 850 San Clemente Dr., Newport Beach.   This spring, the Orange County Museum of Art presents 100 Pounds of Clay, an interactive installation by sculptor Charles Long (b. 1958). Originally presented at OCMA in 2001 and brought back again in 2006, this popular artwork begins its life as a minimalist sculpture made up of 100 one-pound blocks of perfectly formed, brightly-hued modeling clay, and subsequently evolves through sculptures created by museum visitors. Visitors are invited to mold, sculpt, and play with the blocks of clay, obliterating the “don’t touch” taboo of museum artwork.  In this work Long reconsiders the modernist tradition of art by engaging museum visitors to shape the clay, which Long considers a representative material of childhood play. As each block of clay collects the imprint of every gesture, it becomes both a visual and a physical record of human contact. Museum staff provide yet another element: as the pristine blocks are transformed into sculptural forms, the staff is instructed to replenish the work with fresh blocks here and there. When the installation is over, the molded clay will be recycled and made into a new work by the artist..  Hours: 11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Wed.-Sun.; 11:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. Thurs. Admission: $12.00 adults; $ 10.00 students 12 and older; FREE for children 11 and younger.   Exhibit runs through Sept. 19, 2010.
http://www.ocma.net

Outdoor Stage, The Commons at Calabasas - 4799 Commons Way, Calabasas.  Kids fall in love with Tia! and her music because she brings to the stage a tremendous energy -- that special quality in a children's "Edu-tainer" that makes even the most bashful kid join in. If you have never attended a Tia! concert, here's your chance to experience a high-energy concert full of participation for the whole family.  Performance: 6:00 p.m.  FREE.
http://www.quackertunes.com/

Los Angeles County Museum of Art - 5905 Wilshire Bl., Los Angeles.   1945/B&W/111 min. | Scr: Donald Ogden Stewart; dir: Harold S. Bucquet; w/ Spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn, Lucille Ball.  A World War II housing shortage inspires a widow to propose a marriage of convenience with an inventor.  Time:  1:00 p.m.  Tickets: $10.00 general; $7.00 museum members, seniors & students.
http://www.lacma.org/

Smothers Theatre, Pepperdine University - 24255 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu.  Any 1960s-era teenage girl worth her go-go boots had a stash of teen magazines in her room, many of them with one thing in common: Davy Jones’ face on the cover. This heartthrob and his band, the Monkees, had legions of screaming fans with hit songs like “Daydream Believer.” Don’t miss spending an evening with Marcia Brady’s dream date!   Performance: 8:00 p.m.  Tickets: $50.00.
http://arts.pepperdine.edu

Ford Amphitheatre - 2580 Cahuenga Bl. East, Hollywood.  Now in its eighth year, the fiesta celebrates the rich diversity of folkloric music and dance of Mexico. Mariachi Cielo Nuevo, Middleton Street School Folklorico, Tamborazo Pancho Villa and Trio Jacaranda are among the performers in this exhilarating annual concert. Vamos al Ford!   Performance: 7:00 p.m.  Tickets: $37.00-$44.00 general.
http://fordtheatres.org

Sierra Madre Playhouse - 87 W. Sierra Madre Bl., Sierra Madre.  Presented by Fairy Tale Theatre—The much loved tale of Dorothy and Toto and all their new found friends in the land of Oz. This lively and colorful production features all the kids in the audience as Munchkins. Come play with us on this magical, musical adventure.  Performance: 11:00 a.m. & 2:00 p.m.  Tickets: $18.00 adults; $12.00 children under 12.
http://www.sierramadreplayhouse.org

Lawn Adjacent to The Rose Bowl - 1001 Rose Bowl Dr., Pasadena.  The POPS issue you a backstage pass to the nostalgic sounds of Old Hollywood and the glitz and glamour of the New. Explore the artistic and musical geniuses that connect films with their audiences through the magic of music. From award winning film scores of John Williams to Igor Stravinsky, Henry Mancini and more, Hollywood has played home to them all. We’ll provide the POPcorn!   Concert: 7:30 p.m.  Tickets: $56.00-$90.00 for seating; $25.00 for lawn option; $10.00 child lawn.
http://www.theorchestras.org

Smothers Theatre, Pepperdine University - 24255 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu.  Darlings of the Canadian indie music scene, the women of Dala write songs that are both catchy and insightful. Amanda’s lilting soprano blends seamlessly with Sheila’s velvety alto, creating the crystalline harmonies that have become their trademark.  Performance: 8:00 p.m.  Tickets: $25.00. Admission includes a dessert reception with Amanda and Sheila after the performance.
http://arts.pepperdine.edu

Various Museums across Los Angeles and Orange County.  In a joint effort to present arts and culture to the diverse communities in Southern California, the Museum Marketing Roundtable announces the third annual Museums Free-For-All. Museum Day is an annual event hosted by Smithsonian Media in which participating museums across the country open their doors for free to anyone presenting a Museum Day Ticket.  Hours: varies FREE.  The following twenty-one museums will be participating this year:

 Armory Center for the Arts
 Autry National Center
 California Heritage Museum
 California Science Center
 Craft and Folk Art Museum
 Fowler Museum at UCLA
 The Getty Center
 Hammer Museum
 Japanese American National Museum
 Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)
 Museum of Latin American Art (molaa)
 The Museum of Television & Radio
 The Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles (MOCA)
 Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
 Norton Simon Museum
 Orange CountCenter for Contemporary Art
 Orange County Museum of Art
 Pacific Asia Museum
 Santa Monica Museum of Art
 Skirball Cultural Center
 Southwest Museum of the American Indian.

http://microsite.smithsonianmag.com/museumday/

Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum - 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Bl., Topanga. MASTER CLASS by Terrence McNally, directed by Heidi Helen Davis, starring Ellen Geer. At the end of her career, internationally renowned opera diva Maria Callas coaxes, prods and inspires a group of students. As the music of the arias drops her into memory, she relives her bitter childhood in wartime Greece, her career at the great opera houses like La Scala, and her tumultuous and tragic love affair with another giant, Aristotle Onassis. The outdoor amphitheater is terraced into the rustic Topanga Canyon hillside.  Bring a picnic for before or after the show.  Performances: Call theatre for performance schedule, running in repertory. Prologue (pre-show discussion): Saturday, August 14 at 3 pm (included in ticket price).  Tickets:  $10.00-$32.00; FREE for children under 5.  
http://www.theatricum.com

Natural History Museum - 900 Exposition Bl., Los Angeles.   The Natural History Museum's one-of-a-kind Spider Pavilion is a beautifully landscaped area on the Museum’s South Lawn where spiders freely spin their spectacular webs for all to see. Examine their free-range spiders in a comfortable, safe and immersive environment. Their knowledgeable staff is there to guide your experience. So go ahead, ask lots of questions and find out everything you want to know. There is a great deal to learn about these wonderful animals, and you may be surprised at how much false information about spiders has been buzzing around in your head.   Hours: 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Pavillion Admission: $3.00 adults; $2.00 seniors & students: $1.00 children 5-12; Free for children under 5. Museum Admission: $9.00 adults; $ 6.50 seniors, students & children 13-17; $2.00 children 5-12;  Free for children under age 5.   Exhibit runs through Nov. 7, 2010.
http://www.nhm.org

Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum - 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Bl., Topanga. Laugh-along, silly, sing-along fun! Kids love Peter’s dee-lightfully funny songs.  Known across the country for his healthy, insightful messages for parents and kids, Peter is Kids Koncerts founder (and Theatricum founding member!), and has a brand new CD out!  Performance: 11:00 a.m.  Tickets: $8.00.
http://www.theatricum.com

Norton Simon Museum - 411 W. Colorado Bl., Pasadena.  Today's Theme: BACK TO SCHOOL. Hear tales about the ABCs of being a student, and then design your own book bag in front of Francisco de Zurbarán’s Portrait of Fray Diego Deza, c. 1630.
Time: 2:00-3:00 p.m.  FREE with Museum Admission: $8.00 adults; $4.00 seniors; Free for 18 and under.
http://www.nortonsimon.org

Ford Amphitheatre - 2580 Cahuenga Bl. East, Hollywood.  Percussion is the pulse of this year’s festival. Olodum, from Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, is the group that created samba reggae, combining Brazilian samba with Jamaican reggae, merengue and salsa. They drew inspiration, both musically and ideologically, from Bob Marley. In 2010 the 23-member percussion and dance ensemble marks the 30th year of bringing their brand of Afro-Brazilian culture to the world.  Performance: 7:00 p.m.  Tickets: $45.00 general; $12.00 children.
http://fordtheatres.org

Zimmer Museum - 6505 Wilshire Bl., Los Angeles.  Today's Program: STAR GAZERS. One of the things that make a sukkah so special and beautiful is the leafy, not-quite-solid, roof. At night, once the sun goes down, we can see stars shining right through it. Today we’re going to make an art project that will take the stars inside with us, so we can look at them every night. Hours: 2:30-4:00 p.m.  Admission: $3.00 for non-members (Free for members)  in addition to Museum Admission of $8.00 adults; $5.00 children (3-12). Grandparents are free when accompanied by a grandchild.
http://www.zimmermuseum.org

Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum - 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Bl., Topanga. A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM by William Shakespeare, directed by Melora Marshall.  The Botanicum’s signature production is back! Romp through the forest with our ardent young lovers, mischievous fairies and a ragtag band of trades people as they encounter a night filled with wonder, magic and romance. Will their hopes and dreams be realized? What adventures await as nature takes its course? There’s no more perfect setting than the leafy bower of Theatricum’s outdoor stage to experience this delightful tale of misguided mortals and naughty spirits. The outdoor amphitheater is terraced into the rustic Topanga Canyon hillside.  Bring a picnic for before or after the show. Greek buffet 'Dream Dinners,' with a costumed cast of fairies in attendance, take place every Thursday in August at 6:30 pm in the theater's adjacent gardens, followed by an 8 pm performance. (separate admission, or combo packages available). Prologue (pre-show discussion): Saturday, September 11 at 3 pm (included in ticket price).  Performances: Call theatre for performance schedule, running in repertory. Tickets: $10.00-$32.00; FREE for children under 5.  
http://www.theatricum.com

Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum - 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Bl., Topanga. Adapted and directed by Ellen Geer—This evening carries us through different eras to experience our nation’s struggles and victories through the eyes of those who lived them: heroes, lovers, rebels and rapscallions. Sing along and learn more about the poets, leaders, workers and activists – Abraham Lincoln, Mark Twain, Martin Luther King, Rosa Parks, Mother Jones and many more -- who, despite trials and set-backs, bravely persevered in their quest to make our nation stronger and better. The outdoor amphitheater is terraced into the rustic Topanga Canyon hillside.  Bring a picnic for before or after the show.  Performances: 4:00 p.m. Saturdays; 3:30 p.m. Sun. Sept. 5 & 26 (Sunday performances take place of Saturday performance for that week). Tickets:  $10.00-$32.00; FREE for children under 5.  
http://www.theatricum.com

Japanese American National Museum - 369 East First St., Los Angeles. In a follow-up to the kip fulbeck: part asian, 100% hapa exhibition, artist and author Kip Fulbeck returns with his newest collection of works based on the book Mixed: Portraits of Multiracial Kids. This family-friendly exhibition for the young and the young at heart offers a playful yet powerful perspective on the complex nature of contemporary American identity, and, more importantly, is an opportunity to celebrate just being yourself.  Hours: 11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Tues., Wed., Fri.-Sun.; 12:00-8:00 p.m. Thurs.   Admission: $9.00 adults; $5.00 seniors, students and youth (6-17); FREE for children 5 and under.  
http://www.janm.org

Annenbery Community Beach House - 415 Pacific Coast Highway, Santa Monica.   Textile artist Linda Bolhuis demonstrates Serti resist painting. Presented in association with Mountains to the Sea, an exhibit of work from the artist-owned Topanga Canyon Gallery in the Beach House Exhibit Gallery. Attendees may experiment with fabric painting and will take away a sample of silk (depending on availability).   Time:  6:30-8:00 p.m.  FREE, parking $8.00. Reservations are required.
http://beachhouse.smgov.net

Los Angeles County Museum of Art - 5905 Wilshire Bl., Los Angeles.   1947/B&W/106 min. | Scr/dir: Delmer Daves; w/Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, Bruce Bennett, Agnes Moorehead. A man falsely accused of his wife's murder escapes to search for the real killer. Time:  1:00 p.m.  Tickets: $10.00 general; $7.00 museum members, seniors & students.
http://www.lacma.org/

Kids Club at The Commons at Calabasas - 4799 Commons Way, Calabasas.   All the way from the land of Sardonica, The Great Sardini brings his special brand of magic that is truly unique! Ric is The Great Sardini, and he incorporates audience participation, comedy, and unpredictable silliness!  Time: 6:00 p.m.  FREE.
http://www.shopcommons.com

Fred Kavli Theatre - 2100 Thousand Oaks Bl., Thousand Oaks.  A moving tribute to the power of hope over adversity, THE COLOR PURPLE is based on Alice Walker's popular novel and the celebrated Steven Spielberg film starring Whoopi Goldberg and Oprah Winfrey. Broadway’s soaring musical recounts the inspiring tale of Celie’s struggle to overcome the oppression of the segregated South to find her beloved sister Nettie and reunite with her children.  Performances:  8:00 p.m. Tues.-Fri.; 2:00 & 8:00 p.m. Sat.; 2:00 & 7:00 p.m. Sun. Tickets: $49.00-$64.00.  
http://www.toaks.org

Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum - 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Bl., Topanga. HAMLET by William Shakespeare, directed by Ellen Geer. Following the death of his father, Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, returns home to find his uncle now occupies the throne and the queen’s bed. Spurred by the ghost of his father and surrounded by spies, Hamlet must avenge his father’s murder. Theatricum company members Mike Peebler and Jeff Wiesen alternate in the title role.  The outdoor amphitheater is terraced into the rustic Topanga Canyon hillside.  Bring a picnic for before or after the show.  Performances: Call theatre for performance schedule, running in repertory. Prologue (pre-show discussion): Saturday, June 19 at 7 pm (included in ticket price). Tickets:  $10.00-$32.00; FREE for children under 5.  
http://www.theatricum.com

Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum - 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Bl., Topanga. THE THREE MUSKETEERS, based on the novel by Alexander Dumas, adapted and directed by Ellen Geer.  When a young dreamer named d'Artagnan leaves home for Paris to become a member of the famed royal guard, The Musketeers, he encounters a trio of comrades who embody the motto, "All for one and one for all." Dumas' swashbuckling adventure, replete with scenes of political intrigue, scandalous liaisons, murderous espionage and undying love, is set in the 17th century, but its message about upholding one's honor with unwavering devotion to friends and countrymen is never outdated. The outdoor amphitheater is terraced into the rustic Topanga Canyon hillside.  Bring a picnic for before or after the show. French buffet 'Musketeer Meals,' with a costumed cast of swashbucklers and saucy chambermaids in attendance, take place every Friday in September at 6:30 pm in the theater's adjacent gardens, followed by an 8 pm performance. (separate admission, or combo packages available).  Performances: Call theatre for performance schedule, running in repertory. Prologue (pre-show discussion): Saturday, July 17 at 3 pm (included in ticket price). Tickets:  $10.00-$32.00; FREE for children under 5.  
http://www.theatricum.com

California Science Center - 700 Exposition Park Dr., Los Angeles.  Mummies of the World, the largest traveling exhibition of mummies ever assembled, presents a never-before-seen collection of both accidental and intentionally preserved mummies, presented with reverence and dignity. The collection includes ancient mummies and important artifacts from Asia, Oceania, South America and Europe as well as ancient Egypt, dating as far back as 6,500 years. Through engaging interactive exhibits, Mummies of the World illustrates how current science tools enable us to study mummies in new and non-invasive ways, allowing unprecedented insights to past cultures and civilizations. The exhibit will reveal how the scientific study of mummies provides a window into the lives of ancient peoples from every region of the world.  Hours: 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. daily.  Admission: $19.50 adults; $16.50 students, seniors & youths (13-17); $12.50 children (4-12).  Exhibit runs through Nov. 28. 2010.
http://www.californiasciencecenter.org

Norton Simon Museum of Art - 411 W. Colorado Bl., Pasadena..  The Norton Simon Museum presents Hiroshige: Visions of Japan, an exhibition of nearly 200 prints by Utagawa Hiroshige (Japanese, 1797–1858), one of the most celebrated and prolific artists of his time. Drawn from the Museum’s extensive collection of Japanese woodblock-prints, the exhibition features works from Hiroshige’s seminal series Fifty-Three Stations of the Tōkaidō Road, One Hundred Famous Views of Edo and Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji, among others. All together, the images offer visitors a glimpse into everyday life in 19th-century Japan, with its festivals, rituals, and sublime natural beauty. Hours: 12:00-6:00 p.m. Mon.; Wed.-Thurs. Sat. & Sun.; 12:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. Fri.  Admission: $8.00 adults; $4.00 seniors (62 and above); FREE for patrons 18 and under.  Exhibit runs through January 17. 2011.
http://www.nortonsimon.org/

Bowers Museum - 2002 N. Main St., Santa Ana.  Quilts: Two Centuries of American Tradition and Technique presents the patterns, stitches, fabrics and other construction techniques of the Bowers’ most popular quilts, and  many that have never before been exhibited. To satisfy our curious and creative visitors, the top and bottom sides of several quilts will be visible. The exhibition features a variety of 19th and early 20th century patterns, a “Whole Cloth” or “Linsey-Woolsey” quilt dating to 1776, a 1930s “Utility” quilt made of men’s suiting samples, and an unfinished variation of a “Crazy” quilt from c. 1850. Made using paper templates of old receipts, bills, letters and other documents, this particular quilt is every bit as interesting as a historical item as it is a textile.   Hours: 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Tues.-Sun.  Tickets: $20.00 adults; $18.00 seniors (over 62); students; children (6-17); FREE for children under 6; admission is $2.00 less on weekdays.   Exhibit runs through March 28, 2011.
http://www.bowers.org

Discovery Science Center - 2500 N. Main St., Santa Ana.  It’s out of this world fun at Discovery Science Center’s new, permanent, exhibit, Boeing Rocket Lab. Discover your inner astronaut; it doesn’t take a rocket scientist! Boeing Rocket Lab is designed for kids (and kids at heart) who love all things space, and want to learn about the science of space, rockets, and engineering. Out of This World Activities Include: Blast Off Zone—Lifted high inside DSC’s giant 8,000-square foot cube hangs a real Delta Rocket RS-68 booster engine – set to simulate its own launch! The Boeing RS-68, developed by Rockedyne in 1995, is a liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen powered rocket engine that is used in the Delta IV launch vehicle family. Once inside the Cube, look up into the booster engine and press the launch button to trigger the countdown: 3… 2… 1… BLAST OFF! Surrounded by video screens, blasts of fog, and state-of-the-art sound effects, prepare to experience a rocket launch like you never thought possible. Nozzle Chamber—When a rocket launches, where does the cloud of smoke come from and how does it help the rocket leave the ground? In order to launch, a rocket engine throws a mass of gas out in one direction in order to get a reaction in the opposite direction… up.  In the Nozzle Chamber, experiment with the size of a nozzle opening in a combustion chamber, simulating the acceleration of gases as they leave a rocket. Manipulate the size of the opening to change the force of the gases, thereby increasing or decreasing the thrust of a rocket. Rocket Fuel Station—At the Rocket Fuel Station, learn about the chemistry behind different kinds of rocket fuels used by the Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL). Find out why the Delta IV RS-68 booster engine uses a mix of liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen – and what happens when they combine.  Then, use your knowledge to answer a series of questions. Each correct answer initiates part of the launch sequence. Can your knowledge carry you all the way through to blast off?  Rocket Launch Station—Now that you’ve fueled up, time for the launch! At the Rocket Launch Station, launch your imagination to new heights as you learn about propulsion and launch compressed air and water rockets on a controlled path. Experiment with the rockets to discover the optimal ratio of water to air and compete against one another to see whose rocket can launch the highest! Watch out... you may get wet!  Hours: 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Mon.-Sat.; 11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Sun.  Admission: $12.95 adults; $9.95 children (3-17). 
http://www.discoverycube.org/