EIGHT THINGS

1. RUSSELL BANKS, ROMANCE NOVELIST? In his latest book, Russell Banks ventures away from his usual gritty blue-collar milieu to bring us a love story from the world of privilege. Set just before World War II, “The Reserve” depicts the stormy relationship between a wealthy, mentally unstable socialite (inspired by a notoriously troublesome mistress of Ernest Hemingway) and a famous, married artist. What would be a mere potboiler in the hands of a lesser writer here offers keen insight into America’s class system; the relationships between art, politics and wealth; and the despoilment of the environment. Banks will appear at Vroman’s to discuss and sign his new work. 7 p.m. Tue., Vroman’s Books, 695 E. Colorado, Pasadena. Free. (626) 449-5320

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2. Hey, Big Guy!

Before there was CGI there was Ray Harryhausen, who helped pioneer stop-motion animation in films like “Mighty Joe Young” and “Clash of the Titans.” To celebrate the 50th anniversary of his 1958 masterpiece, “The 7th Voyage of Sinbad” (pictured), the special-effects maestro will visit Every Picture Tells a Story, followed by live commentary at a screening of “Sinbad” at the neighboring Aero Theatre. 3 p.m. Sun. Every Picture Tells a Story, Santa Monica. (310) 451-2700; www.every picture.com

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3. CELLULOID VALENTINES

The state of romantic comedies could make you weep. (Exhibit A: “Fool’s Gold.”) But there was a time when the genre’s confections were light and tart as a lemon meringue -- especially in the hands of Billy Wilder and William Wyler, who both had the fortune to direct the incandescent Audrey Hepburn in two classics: “Sabrina” and “Roman Holiday” (pictured: Eddie Albert, Gregory Peck and Hepburn). Just beware: They’ll ruin you for anything less. 7:30 p.m. (“Sabrina”) and 9:45 p.m. (“Roman”) tonight. New Beverly Cinema. $7. (323) 938-4038

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4. NEVER LOVED A WOMAN (THE WAY WE LOVE YOU)

The Queen of Soul will still be feeling the love she received last week when honored as MusiCares’ person of the year before the Grammys, so Aretha Franklin’s rare L.A. appearance should be a perfect fit for Valentine’s Day. Expect such timeless musical love notes as “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.” 8:15 p.m., Thurs. and Fri. Nokia Theatre. $55-$85, (213) 763-6020

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5. LOST & FOUND

See two exquisite operas for the price of one at LA Opera’s Recovered Voices series. This season’s double bill of music by composers suppressed by the Nazis features Alexander Zemlinsky’s “The Dwarf” and Viktor Ullmann’s “The Broken Jug” (never performed in the U.S.). 2 p.m. Sun. (three more dates through March 8), Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, $20-$238. www.la opera.com

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6. GUITAR WARS

Last chance to see director Alex Timber’s boldly revisionist rock musical “Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson,” in which our seventh president (played by Benjamin Walker) is recast as a ax-playing, emo-loving hipster. Ends Feb. 17, Kirk Douglas Theatre. $20-$50, (213) 628-2772

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7. BOLD STROKES

“Sam Francis: Black + White” presents a rare group of Zen-inspired prints by the late Los Angeles-based artist best known for his rainbow-hued splashes and splatters. 6-9 p.m. Sat-March 29, Jack Rutberg Fine Arts, (323) 938-5222

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8. MARTIN-IZED

Looking a bit like your Decemberists-addicted college roommate, the helmet-haired Demetri Martin’s understated stand-up might flirt with preciousness at times, but his combo of dryly surreal observations, charming DIY drawings and musical numbers never leaves you hating yourself in the morning. 8 p.m. Tue., UC Riverside Student Recreational Center, $25. (951) 827-2772