9:30 pm: Pop Music

Inger Lorre became a heroine to exploited musicians everywhere when she visited her record company office and expressed her frustrations in a memorable and messy manner. After that legendary 1991 incident, Lorre faded from sight, but now the outspoken rocker is back with a new attitude and a new album, “Transcendental Medication.”

* Inger Lorre, the Viper Room, 8852 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, 9:30 p.m. $15. (310) 358-1880.

8 pm: Theater

French Stewart, Laurie Metcalf and Jon Amirkhan star in the return of Justin Tanner’s dark comedy “Still Life With Vacuum Salesman,” about Ken and Barbie, years past their high school glory days, taking out their frustrations on a salesman.

“Still Life With Vacuum Salesman,” Cast Theatre, 804 N. El Centro Ave., Friday-Saturday, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 7 p.m. Ends May 23. $35. (213) 462-0265.

6 pm: Pop Music

Pink Floyd’s lighting designer, Marc Brickman, will roll the digital dice at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, where he’ll create the environment for “Volume 9.9,” a two-night high-tech extravaganza touching on film and game cultures, plus music from Emergency Broadcast Network, Meat Beat Manifesto, deejays Stacey Pullen and Jason Bentley and many more.

* “Volume 9.9,” Friday and Saturday at Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, 1855 Main St., Santa Monica, 6 p.m. $27 in advance, $30 at door. (323) 993-3340.

all day: Movies

Francois Truffaut: A Celebration, a two-week tribute to one of the leaders of the French New Wave, kicks off at the Nuart with two of the director’s best-loved films: “The 400 Blows” (1959), a semi-autobiographical study of an abandoned delinquent youth on the Parisian streets, and “Jules and Jim” (1961), about a triangle of artist-bohemians whose youthful rebellion and joy slide into conflict, bitterness and regret. The series features all new 35mm prints.

* Francois Truffaut: A Celebration, Nuart, 11272 Santa Monica Blvd., West Los Angeles. Friday and Saturday: “The 400 Blows” and “Jules and Jim.” Sunday: “Stolen Kisses” and “Bed and Board.” Monday and Tuesday: “Shoot the Piano Player” and “The Soft Skin.” May 19-20: “Love on the Run” and “The Last Metro.” May 21-22: “Two English Girls” and “The Story of Adele H.” May 23: “Day for Night” and “Small Change.” May 24-25: “The Bride Wore Black” and “The Man Who Loved Women.” May 26-27: “Mississippi Mermaid” and “Such a Gorgeous Kid Like Me.” $5 to $8. The documentary “Francois Truffaut: Stolen Portraits” will screen on Saturday, Sunday, May 22 and 23 at 11 a.m. with a special admission of $5. (310) 478-6379.

all day: Movie

Helena is mad for Demetrius, who is smitten with Hermia, who’s hopelessly in love with Lysander, who loves her back. In the nearby enchanted forest, Oberon, king of the fairies, is devoted to Titania, the queen, but she falls for . . . an ass? Such is the cavorting in Shakespeare’s most lighthearted and whimsical comedy, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” which writer-director Michael Hoffman has transplanted to late 19th century Tuscany. The starry ensemble cast includes Michelle Pfeiffer, Kevin Kline, Rupert Everett, Christian Bale, Stanley Tucci, Calista Flockhart and lovely British actress Anna Friel.

* “William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” rated PG-13 for sensuality and nudity, will open Friday in general release.

8 pm: Tribute

Fred Astaire, that most debonair silver screen hoofer, will be feted with a tribute at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in honor of the 100th anniversary of his birth (May 10, 1899). Actor John Forsythe will host the “Centennial Tribute to Fred Astaire,” an evening of film clips and personal reminisces from many of Astaire’s colleagues and friends, including co-stars Cyd Charisse, Ann Miller, Joan Leslie, directors George Sidney and John Irvin, producer Bud Yorkin and Astaire’s widow, Robyn.

* “Centennial Tribute to Fred Astaire,” Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Samuel Goldwyn Theater, 8949 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills. 8 p.m. $3 to $5. Sold out, but there will be a standby line. (310) 247-3600.

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FREEBIES: The Kurstins perform jazz, classical and original music at the Palm Plaza at the intersection of Westwood, Broxton and Kinross in Westwood, 8 p.m..

Jazz vocalist and actor Bill Henderson sings at LACMA, 5905 Wilshire Blvd., 5:30 p.m. (323) 857-6000.