October 23, 2007

Upcoming local arts events
Our critics' picks of noteworthy happenings in the local arts scene.

DANCE/LAURA BLEIBERG

In "Festival of Lies," African choreographer Faustin Linyekula tackles the monstrous horrors of civil war and the millions of dead in his home country, Democratic Republic of the Congo. At Redcat, the black-box theater will be reconfigured from its usual setup. The audience will be served food and drink before Linyekula's highly theatrical “living installation” begins. Dance, live music, and the text by Marie-Louise Bibish Mumbu uncorks both personal and political memories in this devastated country. This is promised to be one of the most powerful works Redcat has presented. Redcat is inside the Walt Disney Concert Hall complex at 631 W. 2nd St. in downtown Los Angeles. At 8:30 p.m. Oct. 24-27. $25-$10. Call 213-237-2800 or www.redcat.org.

THEATER/PAUL HODGINS

Ed Graczyk's minor classic “Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean”combines “Steel Magnolia”-style female characters with something more poetic in a paean to the power of Hollywood idols and the innocence of '50s romance. In September, 1975, a group of women, all former members of the James Dean fan club, comes together to mark the 20th anniversary of his death. Meeting in tiny Marfa, Texas (close to the place where Dean's last movie, “Giant,” was filmed), each reveals a secret or two about that tender time. Featuring (from left) Selin Mehrabian as Juanita, Keelia Flinn as Sissy and Sammi Smith as Mona. Through Nov. 4.$9. Little Theatre, California State University, 800 N. State College Blvd., Fullerton. 657-278-3371.

Teatro de los Andes, one of South America's most important theater ensembles, is bringing “En Un Sol Amarillo”to Southern California. Combining transcripts of interviews and spellbinding description, this play tells the story of Bolivia's massive 1998 earthquake and its many economic, social and political repercussions. Oct. 26-Nov. 25.Kirk Douglas Theatre, 9820 Washington Blvd., Culver City. $20-$40. 213-628-2772 or www.centertheatregroup.org.

CLASSICAL MUSIC/TIMOTHY MANGAN

It's a good week for chamber music in these parts. The Orange County Performing Artscenter launches its classical series at 8 p.m. on Oct. 25 with an appearance by the always scintillating Emerson String Quartetperforming music by Shostakovich (the Fourth Quartet), Saariaho and Bartók (the Third Quartet). For grand finale, the ensemble is joined by pianist Leon Fleisher, recently named a Kennedy Center honoree, in the Romantic indulgences of Brahms' Piano Quintet in F Minor. At Samueli Theater. $60. 714-556-2787 or www.ocpac.org.

VISUAL ART/RICHARD CHANG

The Irvine Museum is presenting “Romance of the Bells,” one of the museum's most successful exhibitions. It was organized in fall 2004 and has traveled throughout the state. Featured artists include some of California's most accomplished impressionists, including William Wendt, Colin Campbell Cooper, Paul Grimm, Julie Morrow, Franz Bischoff, Guy Rose, Joseph Kleitsch and Elmer Wachtel. The show runs through March 15. The Irvine Museum is at 18881 Von Karman Ave., Suite 100. Admission is free; hours are 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays. Call 949-476-2565 or visit www.irvinemuseum.org.