Dance Party

Authorities said they are worried about the well-being of a 16-year-old Coto de Caza girl who was last seen early Sunday outside a rave dance club in San Bernardino, hours after she told her parents that she was going to a church function near her home. Kelly Ann Brooks, a sophomore at Capistrano Valley High School, was seen by her parents Saturday evening when she headed out for the evening with a boy she had met on the Internet, authorities said.

A 20-year-old man was shot to death and a teen-ager was wounded after a fight broke out during a spring break "rave" party at a Westlake club Thursday morning, police said. Mario Martinez of Los Angeles, one of more than 100 young people who had gathered for a morning dance party at the Gotham Club in the 2800 block of Beverly Boulevard, was pronounced dead at Hollywood Presbyterian Hospital shortly after the 10:30 a.m. brawl, police said.

Like fellow pop veteran Madonna, Estefan, who turned 40 last year, is confronting middle age with her dancing shoes on.

The staid performance hall at the Skirball Cultural Center isn't exactly prime territory for a dance party. But that's what happened Thursday night during the performance of Rob Curto's Forro for All ensemble. The dancing didn't kick into high gear until the program was half over, triggered by violinist-singer Eliano Braz's foray into the audience. Spotting a few eager enthusiasts doing steps at the rear of the auditorium, he dashed back and urged them to the front.

It's that time again. The year is winding down--and you didn't get around to making an early reservation for New Year's Eve. Here are a few festive spots where you can still get a table. * Roxbury: 8225 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood; (213) 656-1750. Dinner seatings at 7:30 ($55 per person) and 10:30 ($85 per person). * Ava's: 8522 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles; (310) 652-5357. Dinner seatings at 8 p.m. ($75 per person) and 10:30 ($125 per person).

You will talk about: Superhero movies. We don't like silly spoof movies as a rule, but "Superhero Movie" at least got the timing right. With a summer full of powerful comic book fare flying at us fast and furiously -- a new Hulk, a new Batman, "Iron Man" and "Hellboy II" -- we've been wondering if the superhero flick has any legs left to fly with. (Friday) We will talk about: The B-52s. This week they release "Funplex," their first new album in 16 years. Music snobs hate this band, but we love them.

Hawaiian singer Don Ho may have started his career by emulating classic crooners like Frank Sinatra, but his kitschy island stylings have made him an icon in his own right. Maxim magazine named him "One of the 50 Coolest Guys Ever," and in a recent issue of Entertainment Weekly, the White Stripes' Jack White declared himself a fan of Ho.

The Three Apples exhibit and all the events below are at Royal/T cafe and art space, 8910 Washington Blvd., Culver City. (310) 559-6300. royal-t.org. Hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. For more information, go to sanrio.com/threeapples/events. Hello Kitty birthday party Today, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. It's the party of the year and you are invited! The fun begins with a sweet assortment of Hello Kitty's signature pancakes and waffles (10 a.m. to noon) and a visit from Hello Kitty.

By day, Steve Ipsen is a Los Angeles County deputy district attorney who specializes in death penalty cases. But at night, he's a fervent advocate for country-western line dancing. Ipsen's group, Cowboy Attitude, is promoting a country and western dance party at the Reseda Country Club starting Friday night. He views Cowboy Attitude as another way he's serving his community.