Skirball Cultural Center:  2701 N. Sepulveda Bl., West Los Angeles ((310/827-0889) www.latw.org   The Play's The Thing presented by the L.A. Theatre Works broadcasting weekly on public and satellite radio, showcases The Physicists with Richard Dreyfuss, Hector Elizondo and Amy Peitz, a darkly comic satire probes the cost of sanity among men of science and whether it is the mad who are truly sane.  July 8-12. The 13th season  of free Sunset Concerts celebrates musical traditions from around the globe. Malian musical great Issa Bagayogo is a star attraction on stages around the world, a fleet fingered player of the three stringed lute.  He infuses the acoustic, organic traditions of his West African homeland with elements of rock, funk, dub and electronica, July 16; Two celebrated architects of American bluegrass, Mike Marshall and Darol Anger join forces with Sweden's influential instrumental Trio Vasen.  Together the five virtuosos create a dynamic soundscape that bridges the gap between the fiddle and dance tunes of Appalachia and the Swedish polkas, July 23; Quebec based Gadji-Gadjo reinvigorates the Roma and klezmer traditions of Eastern Europe with diverse world influences, July 30; The Wild Magnolias offer a taste of Mardi Gras in the summertime, Aug. 6;  Omar Faruk Tekbilek is one of the most sought after Turkish/Middle Eastern musicians living in the United States.   He is a rare artists who transcends political obstacles while maintaining traditional sensibilities, Aug. 13.