TODAY’S BEST BETS

Pop

Michigan’s the Verve Pipe, with lead vocalist and guitarist Brian Vander Ark, right, previews its new album.

* The Verve Pipe, House of Blues, 8430 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, (323) 848-5100. 9 p.m.

Performance

Writers-performers Ruben Martinez (“Border Ballad”) and Quique Aviles (“Chaos Standing/El Caos de Pie”) team up for an evening of monologue/spoken word/music performance.

* Espresso Mi Cultura Books & Coffee, 5625 Hollywood Blvd., (323) 461-0808. 8 p.m. Free. Also Saturday.

Jazz

The Bootstrap Creative Emergence Music Festival, three days of avant-garde, experimental jazz and world music, begins with sets by violinist Shankar and pianist Larry Karush’s band.

* Shankar, Larry Karush Ensemble, Electric Lodge, 1416 Electric Ave., Venice, (323) 692-8080. 8 p.m.

Theater

Ted Lange, one-time star of “The Love Boat,” flexes other muscles now as the writer and director of a play about the eccentric residents of Shady Tree, with Marcus T. Steward and Jenny McGlinchey.

* “Flowers of Shady Tree,” Inglewood Playhouse, 740 Warren Lane, Inglewood, (323) 860-3208. 8 p.m. Regular schedule: Friday-Saturday, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 3 p.m. Ends July 13.