TODAY

AVAM's WINTER VISIONARY FILM SERIES: The American Visionary Art Museum, 800 Key Highway, continues its free documentary series with "Gayleen," about artist Gayleen Aiken, and "The Kingdom of Nek Chand." Film attendees may also tour the museum for free from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. The movies start at 7 p.m. Call 410-244-1900 or go to avam.org.

LE CABARET DE CARMEN: In the space of 90 minutes, the essence of Bizet's opera "Carmen" is boiled down and heated up in the American Opera Theatre's imaginative production, "Le Cabaret de Carmen," a hit of the Theatre Project's 2008-2009 season. The show returns this weekend for performances at 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 5 p.m. Sunday at Theatre Project, 45 W. Preston St. Tickets are $30 to $50. Call 410-752-8558 or go to theatreproject.org.

THE OPERA SHOW: Traditional opera gets the MTV treatment at the Lyric Opera House, 140 W. Mount Royal Ave., as classic arias are performed to flashy choreography. Works by Verdi, Bizet, Mozart and Handel are incorporated into the three-act production. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $17 to $47. Call 410-547-7328 or go to ticketmaster.com.

FOR LOVE OF LIBERTY: Maryland Public Television and the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture, 830 E. Pratt St., present a screening of "For Love of Liberty: The Story of America's Black Patriots." The documentary examines how African-Americans throughout history have risked their lives to preserve freedom for their country and themselves. The free screening is from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Light refreshments are included. Go to africanamericanculture.org.

GOLD DIGGERS OF 1933: This week's Charles Theatre revival, 1711 N. Charles St., choreographed by Busby Berkeley, is an exuberant take on the Depression. It screens at 9 p.m. Tickets are $8. Go to thecharles.com.