Gerard Edery

It's not uncommon in the current music scene to find the cultural casserole syndrome at work. In the style cauldron are elements from various corners of the globe, sometimes with dance-happy Western touches. The result is not always delicious. But in the case of guitarist-singer Gerard Edery, the blend of varied cultural elements comes honestly, straight out of experience.

It's not uncommon in the current music scene to find the cultural casserole syndrome at work. In the style cauldron are elements from various corners of the globe, sometimes with dance-happy Western touches. The result is not always delicious. But in the case of guitarist-singer Gerard Edery, the blend of varied cultural elements comes honestly, straight out of experience.

* Western Music--The Autry Museum of Western Heritage, 4700 Western Heritage Way, Griffith Park, will feature music throughout the Labor Day weekend, Aug. 31-Sept. 4. (323) 667-2000. * Community Event--The "Stop Hate Crime and Gun Violence in Our Valley" parade and concert are scheduled Sept. 3 at Woodley Park, 6350 Woodley Ave., Encino. Free. (818) 763-4507. * Comedy--Robin Roberts' Comedy Schmomedy moves to a new location Sept. 5: Jennifer's Coffee Connection, 4397 Tujunga Ave., Studio City.

The acclaimed Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum production of Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" returns this weekend for its sixth consecutive year at the rustic amphitheater in Topanga. The Bard's classic comedy is well suited for the Theatricum's hillside-enclosed stage and for the entire family. * "A Midsummer Night's Dream," opens Friday, 8 p.m.; special Labor Day performance Monday, 6 p.m.; Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum, 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga. $7-$20, under 5 free.

* Alfresco Theater--The acclaimed Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum production of Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" will open Friday for its sixth consecutive year at the rustic amphitheater in Topanga. The Bard's classic comedy is well suited for the entire family and for the Theatricum's hillside-enclosed stage. Show times: Friday evenings at 8, through Sept. 29. From Oct. 1-22, the production will play each Sunday afternoon at 3.

The Fes Festival of World Sacred Music -- which annually brings musicians of every imaginable religious background to Morocco for a transcendent spiritual and cultural get-together -- seems like a virtual anomaly at a time when much of the world is ablaze with confrontations between differing forms of religious fundamentalism, more eager to emphasize differences than share common ground.

More than 16,000 women are expected to gather Friday and next Saturday for spiritual renewal and encouragement at a Women of Faith conference at the Arrowhead Pond in Anaheim. The conference will feature Christian inspirational speakers sharing stories on how they dealt with depression, family members' suicide, terminal illness and other challenges and still managed to find joy and humor in life.