WEEKEND FORECAST

FRIDAY

MOVIES

About that voice inside his head

In screenwriter Zach Helm and director Marc Forster’s reality-twisting comedy “Stranger Than Fiction,” the voice inside the head of tax man Harold Crick (Will Ferrell) belongs to a novelist named Karen “Kay” Eiffel (Emma Thompson). Harold finds it most alarming when Kay’s narration informs him that he is about to come to a bad end. To rewrite that ending and avoid being consigned to life’s remainder bin, Harold must convince Kay that he is not strictly a product of her imagination.

“Stranger Than Fiction,” rated PG-13 for some disturbing images, sexuality, brief language and nudity, opens Friday in general release.

MUSIC

Ax to take on Strauss

Richard Strauss was a youthful 20ish Brahms enthusiast when he lifted a theme from the older master as a point of departure for his “Burleske” for piano and orchestra. Emanuel Ax tackles this knuckle-buster, just after he plays Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 22. Alexander Mickelthwate will lead the Los Angeles Philharmonic in both pieces, then close the program with Strauss’ “Ein Heldenleben” (A Hero’s Life), full of quotations from his own works.

Los Angeles Philharmonic, Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., L.A., 8 p.m. Friday. $15 to $135. (323) 850-2000. www.laphil.com* Also 8 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday.

DANCE

‘Cloudless’ in Cerritos

American choreographer Susan Marshall has gained a reputation and many awards for turning everyday movement into revealing and deeply emotional dance-portraits. For its debut at the Cerritos Center, her five-member company will perform the full-evening “Cloudless,” which is structured as 18 dance vignettes. The work features music by Jane Shaw, Philip Glass, Nick Cave and a Bizet composition performed by David Byrne.

Susan Marshall & Company in “Cloudless,” Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, 12700 Center Court Drive, Cerritos, 8 p.m. Friday. $20 to $36. (562) 467-8818. www.cerritoscenter.com

SATURDAY

EVENTS

Have I got a story for you ...

The fifth annual Los Angeles Storytelling Festival, a 12-hour marathon of yarns, legends, myths, personal dramas and tales of everyday life, happens Saturday at L.A. Trade Technical College. The theme is “Face to Face ... Heart to Heart.” Nationally known storytellers Diane Ferlatte and Ricardo Provencio head the lineup, and there will also be workshops and story swaps. A new afternoon family program geared toward children will feature stories, games and performances.

Los Angeles Storytelling Festival, Los Angeles Trade Technical College, 400 W. Washington Blvd., L.A. 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday. $15 per concert; $25 to $40 for day; children, $10. (310) 457-2385. lastorytellingfestival.com

MUSEUMS

Fired up over raku

Raku, a Japanese ceramic technique that dates back to the 16th century, was traditionally used to create bowls for formal tea ceremonies. Contemporary artists since have adopted this ancient firing method that leaves pottery with a distinctive glazed and crackled effect. “Raku: Origins, Impact and Contemporary Expression” focuses on how the raku process has evolved, with examples by American and international artists.

“Raku: Origins, Impact and Contemporary Expression,” American Museum of Ceramic Art, 340 S. Garey Ave., Pomona. Opens Saturday. $2 to $3; 12 and younger, free. (909) 865-3146.

* Hours: noon to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays. Ends Jan. 6.

ART

A collective showing

The group show “Naive Set Theory” is roughly based on the abstract mathematical premise of collecting objects or sets. Using several types of media, including video, collage, sculpture, MP3, drawing and painting, recent masters of fine arts Brian Bress, Julie Lequin, Jennifer Sullivan and Ami Tallman explore interconnected issues drawn from psychological state, national identity and authority.

“Naive Set Theory,” Cirrus Gallery, 542 S. Alameda St., L.A. Opens Saturday. (213) 680-3473.

* Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. Ends Dec. 31.

SUNDAY

POP MUSIC

Will energy translate?

Vince Gill has been called country music’s triple threat because of his mastery as a singer, guitarist and songwriter. Now he’s a quadruple threat as well, having just released a set of four CDs of new material. If all goes well, the Nashville stalwart’s prolific state will translate into live shows brimming with creative energy.

Vince Gill, Wiltern LG, 3790 Wilshire Blvd., L.A., 8 p.m. Sunday. $45 to $75. (213) 380-5005.

JAZZ

Birthday sets by Mandel

Think Johnny Mandel and the first thing that comes to mind is the melodic theme from the movie and television versions of “MASH,” as well as the ineffably romantic “The Shadow of Your Smile.” But there are many, many others, including “Emily,” “A Time for Love” and his poignant collaboration with Marilyn and Alan Bergman, “Where Do You Start?” Mandel, who, despite his long list of film composing credits, insists upon identifying himself as a jazz musician, will celebrate his 81st birthday with a pair of all-star fundraising sets at Jazz Bakery. He will lead his own band, with pianist Mike Melvoin, bassist Chuck Berghofer, guitarist John Pisano, drummer Steve Schaeffer and saxophonist Don Shelton. Featured singers include Sue Raney, Bill Henderson, Lorraine Feather, Alan Bergman, Tierney Sutton,

Morgan Ames, Pinky Winters, Bill Cantos and the vocal group Innervoices.

The Johnny Mandel Songbook Quintet, Jazz Bakery, 3233 Helms Ave., Culver City, Sunday, 4 p.m., $30; 8 p.m., $35. Both shows, $55. (310) 271-9039.

MUSIC

Haunting composition

Rachmaninoff’s most familiar works are his melodic piano concertos and symphonies. But a more austere, arresting and devout side of the composer surfaces in his less frequently performed “All-Night Vigil” (Vespers), a 70-minute a cappella setting of portions of an Orthodox evening service. So personal was his relationship with the work that Rachmaninoff asked that the fifth hymn of the piece, “Now Lettest Thou Thy Servant Depart in Peace,” be sung at his funeral. Grant Gershon conducts the Los Angeles Master Chorale in this haunting work, widely considered one of the finest pieces in the Russian choral repertory.

Los Angeles Master Chorale, Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., L.A.. 7 p.m. Sunday. $19 to $129. (800) 787-5262. www.lamc.org

WEDNESDAY

THEATER

There’s material to spare

Her parents were Hollywood stars Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher; she’s dealt with addiction, depression, that “Star Wars” cinnamon bun hairdo and more -- Carrie Fisher has plenty of

material to work with

in the world premiere

of her autobiographical solo show “Wishful

Drinking,” directed by Joshua Ravetch, with Gerald Sternbach at the piano.

“Wishful Drinking,” Geffen Playhouse, 10886 Le Conte Ave., Westwood. Opens 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. $35 to $69. (310) 208-5454, (213) 365-3500. www.geffenplayhouse.com* Runs 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday, 4 and 8:30 p.m. Saturday, 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday. Dark Nov. 17 and Nov. 23. Ends Dec. 24.

THEATER

Searching for meaning

Gate Theatre Dublin stages “Waiting for Godot,” Samuel Beckett’s groundbreaking, classic meditation on the search for meaning and redemption. Walter Asmus directs. Part of the Samuel Beckett Centenary Celebration.

“Waiting for Godot,” Freud Playhouse, UCLA, 405 Hilgard Ave., Westwood. Opens 8 p.m. Wednesday. $42 and $60. (310) 825-2101. www.uclalive.org

* Also 8 p.m. next Thursday and Nov. 17; 2 and 8 p.m. Nov. 18, 7 p.m. Nov. 19; ends Nov. 19.