MOVIESGeorge Clooney, above, Mark Wahlberg and Diane...

MOVIES

George Clooney, above, Mark Wahlberg and Diane Lane are among those battling one of the most powerful storms in history in “The Perfect Storm,” directed by Wolfgang Petersen and based on the best-selling book about an actual incident. Opens wide on Friday.

Also: “The Patriot” stars Mel Gibson as a reluctant hero eventually swept up into the American Revolution when the war reaches his home in South Carolina and threatens his family. With Heath Ledger, Joely Richardson, Jason Isaacs and Chris Cooper. Opens wide on Wednesday.

Museums

More than 300 objects including furniture, film, paintings and sculpture will be included in “The Work of Charles and Ray Eames: A Legacy of Invention,” opening today at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Known for their revolutionary designs and architecture, the Eameses looked to improve society culturally, intellectually and functionally. Early in their career together, they designed high-quality yet affordable furniture, influencing the design of much of the furniture we utilize today in stadiums, airports and schools. Below left, Charles Eames and his wife Ray pose for a Christmas card with a sculpture they carved from a plywood splint, 1944.

THEATER

Taper, Too--the Mark Taper Forum’s new and experimental theater season--continues at the Actors’ Gang with the world premiere of “The Square,” conceived by Chay Yew and Lisa Peterson. It is made up of 16 short plays by such prominent playwrights as David Henry Hwang, Craig Lucas, Mac Wellman, Maria Irene Fornes, Jose Rivera and Han Ong. Opens Saturday.

Shakespeare Festival/LA celebrates its 17th season with Shakespeare’s celebration of language and love “Much Ado About Nothing,” with a wink to the screwball comedies of the 1930s and ‘40s. At Burton Chace Park in Marina del Rey, Thursday-next Sunday; Pershing Square, July 6-16; and South Coast Botanic Gardens, Palos Verdes Peninsula, July 20-30.

Pop Music

Two touring festivals could clear the house of kids of all ages. Nickelodeon’s All That & More (Thursday at Blockbuster, next Sunday at Verizon Wireless) will draw the young teens with a lineup headed by LFO, while the big boys can work it out with Green Day et al at the Vans Warped Tour (Wednesday at the Ventura Fairgrounds, Thursday and Friday at the Arrowhead Pond parking lot).

Music

Opening their summer seasons on Saturday, the California Philharmonic, with conductor Victor Vener, and the Pasadena Pops Orchestra, with leader Rachael Worby, celebrate the holiday with American programs. Vener has Annette Bening narrating “A Lincoln Portrait” and Norman Krieger playing “Rhapsody in Blue.” Worby and Co. are joined by the Pasadena Classical Singers in “We the People.”

Jazz

Roy Hargrove has for the past decade been one of the top trumpeters in jazz. He has also proved adept at leading bands (altoist Antonio Hart is an alumnus) and putting on exciting shows while performing creative jazz. Hargrove’s quintet will be at Catalina’s this week, starting Tuesday.