8pm DanceIt’s not Donald McKayle’s birthday until...

8pm Dance

It’s not Donald McKayle’s birthday until July, but two companies are saluting the Irvine-based contemporary dance maker and teacher this week with a mini-festival. Today and Friday, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company performs his classic “Rainbow ‘Round My Shoulder” and “Children of the Passage,” a collaboration with Ronald K. Brown. Kevin Ward’s “Mighty Fortress,” which he dedicated to McKayle, is also on the program. On Friday and Saturday, McKayle’s “Cross Roads”--commissioned by the recent Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City--leads the program for the Jose Limon Dance Company.

Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, Irvine Barclay Theatre, 4242 Campus Drive, Irvine. 8 p.m. Also Friday,

8 p.m. $30 to $35. (949) 854-4646.

Jose Limon Dance Company, Luckman Fine Arts Complex, Cal State L.A., 5151 State University Drive, L.A. Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m. $30 to $40. (323) 343-6611.

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7:30pm Movies

“Being John Malkovich” writer Charlie Kaufman’s latest comedy, “Human Nature,” gets a sneak preview tonight at UCLA. Reclusive and abnormally hirsute Patricia Arquette and repressed scientist Tim Robbins play tug-of-war over whether to civilize “wild man” Rhys Ifans in this screwball satire. Director Michel Gondry will attend. The film opens April 12.

UCLA Film and Television Archive presents a Sneak Preview of “Human Nature,” UCLA, Melnitz Hall, James Bridges Theater, near the intersection of Sunset Boulevard and Hilgard Avenue, Westwood. Thursday, 7:30 p.m. $5 to $7. (310) 206-FILM or www.cinema.ucla.edu.

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9pm Pop Music

Talib Kweli has impeccable credentials as an alternative hip-hop stalwart, from his 2000 album with partner Hi-Tek, “Reflection Eternal,” to his high-profile opening slot on Erykah Badu’s tour in 2001, to his nomination for the pop-connoisseur’s Short List award the same year. The rapper’s new album isn’t due until August, but he’s likely to give the fans a taste during a couple of intimate shows.

Talib Kweli with Cultifaderz, Sixteen-Fifty, 1650 Schrader Blvd., Hollywood, 9 p.m. $22.50. (323) 465-7449. Also Sunday with Life Savas and 13, Glass House, 200 W. 2nd St., Pomona, 8 p.m. $20. (909) 469-5800.

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9pm Comedy

Fred Willard--the guy you know from the WB’s “Maybe It’s Me,” vintage TV’s “Fernwood Tonight” or the film “Best in Show”--is the guest Armando at the Improv-Olympic West tonight. What’s an Armando? He’s the performer who gets a suggestion from the audience, does an improvised monologue, then gets joined by a cast of “Armando Show” performers in playing out sketches.

“The Armando Show,” with guest Fred Willard, ImprovOlympic West, 6366 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. 9 p.m. $10. (323) 962-7560.

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8pm Theater

The infinitely resourceful Teatro Hugo & Ines can turn anything into a full-fledged puppet. A hand. An elbow. A foot. Last seen here in 1998, the Peru-based duo of Hugo Suarez and Ines Pasic provide more marvels than you can imagine out of their bag of puppetry tricks in a show that’s as fit for third graders as it is for hipster 30-year-olds.

“Teatro Hugo & Ines: Short Stories,” Freud Playhouse, 405 Hilgard Ave., Westwood, today through Sunday at 8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. Ends Sunday. $25. (310) 825-2101.