Pencil This In: Saturday

COMIC BOOK ART
The gallery named for the year that brought us Hypercolor T-Shirts, Yo! MTV Raps, and Salt N Pepa's single "Push It" (that's 1988 for those who didn't immediately connect) is currently featuring "Under the Influence: A Tribute to Stan Lee" in a show that runs until February 1. Preview some of the artwork online and then activate your Spidey webs and crawl over to Melrose Ave.

11 a.m. - 6 p.m. // Gallery 1988 // 7020 Melrose Avenue // Free

FILM
The American Cinematheque's Otto Preminger film series features showings of Carmen Jones and Porgy and Bess tonight at the Aero Theatre. Both movies star Dorothy Dandrige and also take on America's conservative approach to sexuality and issues of race. These powerful landmark musicals are showcases for Dandridge's talent, and Preminger's directorial skill.

7:30 p.m. // Aero Theatre // 1328 Montana Avenue, Santa Monica // $10

FILM (OPTION 2)

“Art of Light” is the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) annual program, featuring a prominent cinematographer and their work, presented in relationship with the UCLA Film & Television Archive. Tonight marks the fourth year of the event, and features Stephen H. Burum presenting his 1989 film Casualties of War, directed by Brian De Palma.

7:30 p.m. // UCLA Film & Television Archive // 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Westwood // $9, $8 students and seniors

OPERA
Yes, opera! Why not? Farewell My Concubine: The Opera arrives at the Pasadena Civic in all its splendor. It is "ia classic Chinese Opera that is being reinterpreted into a Western opera to be presented in the United States [...] by the Chinese American Inter-Cultural Exchange Foundation" and marks the rare ocassion an opera is being performed by its original Chinese cast in Mandarin. "The story revolves around Xiang Yu, the King of Chu people and his foe, Han Xing , the King of the Han people. The two warriors are locked in battle, and Xiang Yu, fearing defeat, calls for his concubine, Yuji who begs to die alongside her master." Sounds like perfect opera fodder!

8:00 p.m. // Pasadena Civic Auditorium // 300 E. Green St. Pasadena // (626) 449-7360 // $48-$198 (via Ticketmaster or call box office)

YOGA COMMUNITY EVENT
Help inagurate the new Yoga Community website called YogiMilan as the launch is celebrated with a Kirtan. The event will include traditional mantra and chanting performances by Suryadas and the Temple Bhajan Band and Andrew Behla, Michele Krolik & Friends. An RSVP is required, so please contact Meghan McDonough at (310)-894-1588 or Meghan@yogimilan.com to confirm your participation.

7 - 9:30 p.m. // Kula // 1231 Lincoln Blvd, Santa Monica // RSVP required