Arts Briefs: Screen time in Burbank

The Burbank International Film Festival returns for its eighth year with 150 films at the Burbank AMC 16 on Sept. 7 to 11. The program is being drawn from 750 submissions sent in by independent filmmakers submitting from more than 31 countries.

Aside from new work from established and emerging filmmakers, the festival will celebrate the anniversaries of two very different cinema milestones from the same family: Ridley Scott’s breakthrough 1979 film “Alien” and “Top Gun,” directed in 1986 by his brother Tony Scott. There will also be a screening of the original “Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory,” starring Gene Wilder, Jack Albertson and Peter Ostrum.

Various nights at the festival will offer after-parties following the screenings, and a closing-night gala and awards dinner at the Castaway on Sept. 11. For more information on tickets and programming, see www.burbankfilmfest.org.

‘Merry Wives’ of Pasadena

A mix of traditional American, British and contemporary folk music will unfold Sunday at the Coffee Gallery Backstage by the 10-piece band the Merry Wives of Windsor. The Pasadena-based act performs rich four-part and five-part harmonies while accompanied by the band’s acoustic instruments, including Irish bouzouki, mandolin and bodhran.

The group’s show is at 2 p.m. Later that evening, the Fenians will perform lively folk music in a separate show at 7 p.m., mixing Irish traditions with the contemporary. The five-piece band includes Terry Casey, Rob Williams, Brendan Harkins, Tardu Yegin and Chris Pierce.

Tickets for each show are $20. The Coffee Gallery Backstage is at 2029 N. Lake in Altadena. For reservations, call (626) 798-6236.

Still ‘Sizzling’

The Autry’s annual “Sizzling Summer Nights” series will close out the 2016 season Aug. 18 with Colombian rhythms and a variety of other Latin music styles (salsa, cha-cha, bachata, reggaeton and merengue) as performed by Colombian Latin Soul.

The outdoor dance party includes dance lessons, access to museum galleries and a children’s dance floor. Taco and drink bar opens at 6 p.m. The music starts at 6:30 p.m. at the Griffith Park center and goes to 9 p.m., while the museum galleries remain open until 8 p.m. Tickets are $12, $8 for students and seniors, $6 for children 3 to 12. Admission is free to Autry members.

More information: theautry.org and (323) 667-2000.

Animal music

Two more shows from the “Roaring Nights” live music series at the Los Angeles Zoo continues Aug. 26 with an evening of indie rock (Black Crystal Wolf Kids) and Sept. 16 with tributes to David Bowie and Prince. The concerts are for fans age 18 and older, with a full-service bar, various food trucks, games, animal feedings and more. Zookeeper talks on-site will introduce visitors to the zoo’s permanent residents.

Tickets are $25 ($22 for GLAZA members). The Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens is at 5333 Zoo Drive, in Griffith Park. More information at (323) 644-6001 and www.lazoo.org/roaringnights.