Today’s Best Bets

Jazz

With a campus setting, expect some schooling in the ways of the trumpet from Oscar Brashear, one of L.A.’s underrated jazz greats.

Oscar Brashear Quintet, Santa Monica Community College, 1900 Pico Blvd., (310) 434-3000. 7 and 9 p.m.

Dance

Here’s an opportunity to experience the ancient music and dance of the Japanese Imperial Court.

Ikoma Gagaku Music Society of Nara, Japan America Theatre, 222 S. San Pedro St., downtown Los Angeles, (213) 680-3700. 8 p.m.

Stage

Life is a cabaret--and a funny one, at that, old chum, in singer-actress Barbara Deutsch’s show.

“Ali Barbara, the Thief of Cabaret,” Cinegrill, Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, 7000 Hollywood Blvd., (323) 466-7000. 8 p.m. Also Saturday, 8 p.m.

Music

Guest conductor Sergiu Comissiona leads the USC Symphony in Schubert’s “Rosamunde” Overture, Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 9 and Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G, featuring soloist Louise Thomas.

USC Symphony, Bovard Auditorium, USC, (213) 740-7111. 8 p.m.