Three-day forecast

MOVIES

Part of the system, then against it

Don’t be fooled by the sideburns, bell bottoms and radical ‘70s politics: “Stander,” starring Tom Jane (“The Punisher”) is a pure gangster flick. Based on a true story about a South African police officer named Andre Stander, the film follows his drastic reversal as he becomes a high-profile bank robber to subvert the system. Directed by Bronwen Hughes.

“Stander,” rated R for violence, language, some sexuality and nudity, opens Friday exclusively at ArcLight Cinemas, 6360 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, (323) 464-4226; and the Grove, 189 The Grove Drive, L.A. (323) 692-0829.

MUSIC

Into the chamber

Latvian pianist Dina Yoffe kicks off the first Beverly Hills International Chamber Music Festival with a program of Ravel, Schumann and Brahms. The 10-day festival, which enlists a number of other artists in eight programs, runs Friday through Aug. 15. It ends with a barbecue and a jazz program by the Jack Lantz Big Band.

Dina Yoffe, Beverly Hills Presbyterian Church, 505 N. Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills. 8 p.m. Friday. $20. (310) 779-7622.

POP MUSIC

Paisley and denim

Since making his recording debut in 1999, Brad Paisley has struck pay dirt on country radio with such clever and romantic tunes as “I’m Gonna Miss Her (The Fishin’ Song),” “Celebrity” and “Little Moments.” With his Friday performance, the West Virginia native helps kick off the first weekend of the Ventura County Fair, which carries the theme “Hooray for Hollywood,” accentuating the area’s scenic filming locales. Along with the normal fair fare, more music follows throughout the week, including the Village People (Saturday), Keith Urban (Monday), Crystal Gayle and Sugar Ray (Tuesday), Smashmouth (Wednesday) and the B-52’s (Aug. 12).

Ventura County Fair, Seaside Park, 10 W. Harbor Blvd., Ventura. Paisley plays 7:30 p.m. Friday. Fair hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily; ends Aug. 15. Adults, $7; seniors and ages 6 to 12, $4; 5 and younger, free. (805) 648-3376. www.seasidepark.org.

ART

‘90s again: a night at the clubs

Visual and performance artists throughout the 1990s capitalized on the allure of the club scene, creating works inspired by the ambience and atmosphere of contemporary club and street cultures. “The Leopard Spots: Between Art, Performance & Club Culture,” curated by Alex Donis and including paintings, photos, fashion, video and sundry artifacts, comes to the 18th Street Arts Center in Santa Monica.

“The Leopard Spots: Between Art, Performance & Club Culture,” 18th Street Arts Center, 1639 18th St., Santa Monica. Opening reception: 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Ends Oct. 16. (310) 453-3711.

MUSEUMS

A salute to the flags

At the start of voodoo ceremonies, flags are presented to channel the energies of the devotees and salute the spirits. Beginning Sunday, “Saluting Vodou Spirits: Haitian Flags From the Fowler Collection” showcases approximately 40 of these intricately decorated drapo, or ritual flags, dating from the early 1900s through the late 1980s, along with five contemporary flags from artists just beginning to work in the medium.

“Saluting Vodou Spirits: Haitian Flags From the Fowler Collection,” UCLA Fowler Museum of Cultural History, Sunset and Westwood boulevards, Westwood. Opens Sunday. Hours: noon to 5 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays, noon to 8 p.m. Thursdays. Ends Dec. 12. Free. (310) 825-4361

JAZZ

Ladies’ night? It’s Grand

Saturday, Grand Performances will present two young female artists on the cusp. Singer-songwriter Lizz Wright released her first solo CD, “Salt,” in May 2003 after she gained attention for her live act and her vocals on pianist Joe Sample’s 2002 CD, “The Pecan Tree.” The 24-year-old

Atlanta native’s gospel-flavored, richly dark vocal timbre has drawn comparisons to Sarah Vaughan, Bessie Smith and others. Also on the bill: pianist Hiromi Uehara, 25, who released her debut CD, “Another

Mind,” in 2003, followed by this year’s “Brain.”

Lizz Wright, Hiromi Uehara, Grand Performances, 350 S. Grand Ave., L.A. 8 p.m. Saturday. Free. (213) 687-2159.

DANCE

Russia, via Korea

In past visits, the Universal Ballet of Korea proved it can meet international standards with a refined classical style rooted in Russian training and coaching. It returns with a version of the full-length “Romeo and Juliet” as choreographed by Oleg Vinogradov, former artistic director of the Kirov Ballet. Vinogradov began his association with Universal Ballet in 1990 and became artistic director eight years later, but his experience with “Romeo and Juliet” dates to 1965, when he created a production in Novosibirsk that earned him fame as an innovator in Russia. His latest interpretation again features music by Prokofiev but has reportedly been conceived with relevance to a divided Korea.

Universal Ballet in “Romeo and Juliet,” Kodak Theatre, 6801 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 4 p.m. Sunday. $20 to $77. (213) 365-3500.

FESTIVAL

Celebrating tradition

The 64th annual Nisei Week Japanese Festival opens Saturday in Little Tokyo. Nisei Week is one of L.A.’s oldest ethnic festivals, dating to 1934 (it was not held from 1942 to 1949). Its run through Aug. 15 features a queen coronation, grand parade, taiko drumming, a street arts festival, films, a car show and many other attractions. The complete schedule is available on the Internet: www.niseiweek.org.

Nisei Week Festival, Japanese American Community & Cultural Center, 244 S. San Pedro St., L.A. Free, but some events have charges. Parade starts 4 p.m. Sunday at 1st Street and Central Avenue in Little Tokyo. (213) 687-7193.

THEATER

Intimate look at the way we live

In Lynn Nottage’s drama, “Intimate Apparel,” an independent but lonely seamstress in 1905 Manhattan chances a risky marriage to a Caribbean man, leading her to question her own identity and her place in the world. Viola Davis reprises her lead role in this Roundabout Theatre Company production, re-staged for the Mark Taper Forum by director Daniel Sullivan.

“Intimate Apparel,” Mark Taper Forum, 135 N. Grand Ave., L.A. Opens tonight. Runs 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, 7:30 p.m. Sundays, 2:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Also, 2:30 and 8 p.m. Sept. 8; 2:30 p.m. only Sept. 12. Ends Sept. 12. $33 to $47. (213) 628-2772.