all day: Movies

Will Leo-mania strike again? Executives at 20th Century Fox are crossing their fingers. Since the phenomenal success of “Titanic” made him a household name, Leonardo DiCaprio has kept a fairly low profile, professionally at least, appearing in only two movies--”The Man in the Iron Mask,” which wrapped before “Titanic” was released, and Woody Allen’s ensemble comedy “Celebrity.” “The Beach,” an adventure movie about a group of young vagabonds who discover a hidden paradise, co-stars French actress Virginie Ledoyen, British actress Tilda Swinton and Scottish actor Robert Carlyle. The film is directed by Danny Boyle (“Trainspotting,” “A Life Less Ordinary”) and was adapted for the screen by Boyle’s frequent collaborator, screenwriter John Hodge. It’s based on Alex Garland’s debut novel of the same name. “The Beach” follows in the sandy footsteps of other movies about tropical paradise, Page 11.

* “The Beach,” which is rated R for violence, some strong sexuality, language and drug content, opens Friday in general release.

all day: Movies

Pooh, Pooh, Pooh, it’s always about Pooh. Well, not always. This Friday, Tigger--the boisterous striped tiger from the beloved A.A. Milne children’s books “Winnie-the-Pooh” and “The House at Pooh Corner”--gets a movie all his own--titled appropriately enough “The Tigger Movie.” But don’t worry, Piglet, Owl, Rabbit, Kanga, Roo and of course Pooh bear will all be on hand when Tigger goes in search of other Tiggers.

* “The Tigger Movie,” which is rated G, opens Friday in general release.

8 pm: Music

Returning to Inglewood after five years away, Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti sings at the Forum. His handlers have not revealed the names of his collaborators or the repertory he will sing, but his appearance is assured, they say.

* Luciano Pavarotti at the Forum, 3900 W. Manchester Blvd., Inglewood, 8 p.m. $20 to $300. (310) 419-3100.

8 pm: Theater

The inaugural production of El Portal Center’s Circle Theatre, Gilles Segal’s drama “The Puppetmaster of Lodz,” is about a Jewish Holocaust survivor in 1950, a puppeteer who re-creates the horrors of his Death Camp experiences, unable to believe the war is over.

* “The Puppetmaster of Lodz,” El Portal Center, Circle Theatre, 5269 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. Thursdays-Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 2 p.m. Ends March 12. $20. (818) 508-4200; (800) 233-3123.

8:15 pm: Pop Music

The last time the Pretenders hit town it was on the Lilith Fair bill in July, so Friday’s Universal Amphitheatre show will be the first time Chrissie Hynde and company get to showcase their latest album, “Viva el Amor,” as full-fledged headliners here.

* The Pretenders, with Gay Dad, Universal Amphitheatre, 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, 8:15 p.m. $28 to $55. (818) 622-4440.

7 pm: Storytelling

Story time isn’t just for kids anymore. The bookstore/gallery Storyopolis is launching a series called “Storytimes for Grown-Ups,” starting with a performance by Agapi Stassinopoulos. The author of “Conversations With the Goddess: Revealing the Divine Power Within You” will give a dramatic monologue portraying Greek heroines, from Aphrodite to Persephone.

* “Storytimes for Grown-Ups” with Agapi Stassinopoulos at Storyopolis, 116 N. Robertson Blvd., Plaza A, Los Angeles, 7-9 p.m. $6. (310) 358-2512.

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FREEBIES: Rides, games, food, martial arts demonstrations, storytelling, cultural dances and music will highlight the L.A. Chinatown Carnival and Street Fair at the corner of Broadway and Cesar Chavez Avenue in Los Angeles’ Chinatown. Friday, 5-10 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. (213) 617-0396.

Percussionist Gregg Bendian and his Trio Pianissimo play the L.A. County Museum of Art, 5905 Wilshire Blvd., 5:30-8:30 p.m. (323) 857-6000.