FRIDAY: More Than BalletSan Francisco-based Lines Contemporary...

FRIDAY: More Than Ballet

San Francisco-based Lines Contemporary Ballet brings its combination of classical ballet and modern and ethnic dance to the Alex Theatre on Friday and Saturday.

The two programs vary slightly, but both include the pieces “Ground” and “Klang.” Friday’s show will have the full “Sacred Text,” while only the pas de deux will be featured on Saturday. All are Los Angeles premieres.

Artistic director Alonzo King is known for his daring and innovative choreography, and the 14-member company is often lauded by critics for its technical skill.

King, a former dancer, founded the company in 1982. In 1994 the Lines won Isadora Duncan awards for outstanding achievement in choreography, score and performance.

* Lines Contemporary Ballet at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Alex Theatre, 215 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale. $22.50 and $32.50. Call (800) 414-ALEX.

SATURDAY: Signature Disney

Six of Disney’s best-ever artists and engineers will attend a signing Saturday at the Howard Lowery Gallery in Burbank to mark publication of “Walt Disney Imagineering.”

The lavish art book includes conceptual drawings, paintings, models, plans and photos from the Disney archives.

Among those signing will be Marc Davis, creator of Disney character Cinderella; Sam McKim, who drew the first Disneyland map and helped develop the park’s Main Street, U.S.A.; and Tony Baxter, supervisor of Disneyland in Paris.

* Disney book signing 1-3 p.m. Saturday at the Howard Lowery Gallery, 3812 Magnolia Blvd., Burbank. Signed book is $85. Call (818) 972-9080.

WEEKEND: Noodles Come Home

“Laughter From the Children of War” is a theatrical weaving of the personal experiences of the dozen young Vietnamese Americans who call themselves Club O’ Noodles.

The performances at Cal State Northridge on Saturday and Sunday mark the end of a national tour for the comedy troupe and its homecoming. Club O’ Noodles, the first Vietnamese-American theater ensemble in the United States, was formed in 1993 at CSUN by artistic director Hung Nguyen.

“I wanted a fresh approach toward creating performance,” Nguyen said. “I wanted to explore the concept of merging cultures. . . . I also wanted the raw and fresh energy that comes from real Vietnamese Americans telling their own stories.”

* “Laughter From the Children of War” at 8 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday at Cal State Northridge Performing Arts Center, 18111 Nordhoff St. $10. Call (818) 677-2488.

SUNDAY: Sergio Mendes

Brazilian pop-jazz singer Sergio Mendes appears for two shows Sunday at the 348-seat Palmdale Playhouse.

Mendes’ most recent album was “Brasileiro,” which won the world music Grammy award in 1993. It featured a kaleidoscope of samba, reggae, funk, rap and traditional Brazilian folk music.

“I wanted to capture the essence of Brazilian percussion, the vitality and great energy of it live,” Mendes says of “Brasileiro.”

* Sergio Mendes at 3 and 7 p.m. Sunday at the Palmdale Playhouse, 38334 10th St. E., Palmdale. $22. Call (805) 267-5684.