FRIDAYS SOUND GOOD AT THEATRICUM.

Byline: Fred Shuster Music Writer

There are few mellower places to hang out on a summer's night than the hills of Topanga, especially when the air fills with music.

Tonight's event at Topanga's Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum brings not only relaxation but the rare chance to see and hear the world's longest stringed instrument.

Opening the season's These Friday Nights -- the August music series at the leafy ravine amphitheater complex -- is MASS Ensemble, a Malibu-based group known for its original, large-scale instruments and kinetic performances. Along with the enormous Earth Harp, other creations of MASS (Music, Architecture, Sonic, Sculpture) will make the Geer amphitheater resonate with deep, rich tones.

``Exploring the musical resonance of the Theatricum is very exciting,'' said MASS artistic director Bill Close. ``This is completely in tune with the Theatricum's open-minded approach to the arts. It's a perfect fit!''

The beginnings of the Theatricum Botanicum can be traced to the early '50s, when Will Geer, a victim of the McCarthy-era blacklist (before he became known as Grandpa on TV's ``The Waltons'') opened a theater for blacklisted actors and folk singers on his property in Topanga. Today the nonprofit theater is run by his family.

``It's just one of the best places to enjoy the arts,'' said the venue's artistic director, Ellen Geer. ``We get people coming in from all over the country because the word is out.''

Other events in the Friday-night series see a visit on Aug. 11 from the musical pairing of Sarah Lee Guthrie (granddaughter of Woody and daughter of Arlo) and Johnny Irion, interviewed by Thom Steinbeck, son of author John Steinbeck.

Woody Guthrie (``This Land Is Your Land'') was a favorite of Bob Dylan and an old friend of the Geer family who spent some of his later years living on the Theatricum grounds. The shack that he stayed in remains in use at the entrance to the venue's main amphitheater.

``The great thing about Woody Guthrie is, everyone has their own take on his songs, but the songs bring people together,'' said singer and lifelong Topanga resident Inara George, daughter of Little Feat's late, great leader Lowell George. ``This is a great way to explore this wonderful music.''

On Aug. 18, These Friday Nights has Steinbeck and soulful songwriter Peter Case (the Plimsouls) interviewed by writer Julio Martinez. That night, Steinbeck will read from his book of short stories, ``Down to a Soundless Sea,'' and the Grammy-nominated Case will deliver Guthrie songs along with his own.

The final program on Aug. 25 is an homage to Guthrie in which George will host an eclectic gathering of local composers, including James Combs and Eleni Mandell.

``''I wasn't too familiar with Woody's music until I really began to research it,'' George said. ``Now, I just love it.''

Fred Shuster, [phone]

fred.shuster(at)dailynews.com

MASS ENSEMBLE

What: Opening night of These Friday Nights, the annual four-week Topanga summer music series, this year featuring several tributes to populist folk singer Woody Guthrie.

Where: Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum, 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga.

When: 8 tonight and Fridays through August.

Tickets: $25 and $35. [phone]; theatricum.com.

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo:

(1) Peter Case will perform Aug. 18 at the Theatricum Botanicum in Topanga.

(2) Sarah Lee Guthrie (she's Woody's granddaughter and Arlo's daughter) and Johnny Irion sing together Aug. 11 for the These Friday Nights series.