7pmDanceChallenging conventional definitions of theatrical dance for...

7pm

Dance

Challenging conventional definitions of theatrical dance for more than 31 years, the ever experimental, hyper-gymnastic Pilobolus Dance Theatre has almost as many awards as bruises. Though no stranger to Southland audiences, its current tour comes after performances in Salt Lake City, where Pilobolus premiered “The Brass Ring,” a one-act work commissioned by the 2002 Winter Olympics. You can decide for yourselves whether “Brass” rates the bronze or the gold tonight at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center, where the program also includes “Tsu-ku-Tsu” and “Symbiosis.” Saturday night’s program ] in Escondido features the Olympic piece along with “Walklyndon” and “Davenen.”

Pilobolus Dance Theatre, Carpenter Performing Arts Center, 6200 Atherton St., Long Beach. 7 p.m. $20 (seniors, students) to $25. (562) 985-7000. Also Saturday at 8 p.m. in the California Center for the Arts, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido. $20 to $40. (619) 220-TIXS.

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7pm

Pop Music

He was definitely country before country was cool, with memory-making songs such as “It’s Not Love (but It’s Not Bad),” “Mama Tried” and “Okie From Muskogee.” And he’s back. Tonight, country great Merle Haggard takes the stage with an eclectic pair of opening acts--gospel patriarchs the Blind Boys of Alabama and veteran folk singer Ramblin’ Jack Elliott.

Merle Haggard, with the Blind Boys of Alabama and Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, El Rey Theatre, 5515 Wilshire Blvd., L.A., 7 p.m. $50 to $75. (323) 936-4790.

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all day

Whales

The migration of the Pacific gray whale in these parts will receive a seasonal fete at Channel Islands Harbor in Oxnard. The sixth annual Celebration of the Whales will offer marine exhibits, an aquarium with sea creatures, tide-pool touch tank, plus live entertainment, kayak racing, and arts and crafts. More on whale watching, Page 49.

Celebration of the Whales, Channel Islands Harbor, Oxnard, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free. (805) 382-3012.

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all morning

Marathon

Flatter is definitely better when you’re running 26.2 miles. This year’s reconfigured course for the Los Angeles Marathon is designed to produce faster--maybe even record-breaking--times. Runners take off from Grand Avenue and 2nd Street, near the soon-to-be-completed Walt Disney Concert Hall. The finish line is on Hope Street just north of Olympic Boulevard. Be there before 10:50 a.m. to see winners cross; the men’s world record is just under 2 hours 6 minutes. Organizers are going for their own record: most distractions per mile. The course has 10 entertainment centers and a Finish Line Festival with live music.

Los Angeles Marathon XVII, Grand Avenue and 2nd Street, downtown L.A. Start times: wheelchairs, 8:20 a.m.; runners, 8:45 a.m. Entertainment, free. (310) 444-5544 or www.lamarathon.com