Calendar: October 18-24

SAT | OCT 18/SUN | OCT 19

STEVE ISSERLIS

Hello, cello! He’s not The Beatles or The Rolling Stones, but this is a British import we’re just as happy to welcome. Recognized worldwide as a soloist, chamber musician and author, Isserlis has worked with the Berlin Philharmonic, the Philharmonic Orchestra, and both the Cleveland and NHK orchestras. His passion for children’s-book writing and period instruments are just a couple of his unique traits, and maybe the reason he’s one of only two living cellists inducted into Gramophone magazine’s Hall of Fame. Both nights will be conducted by Douglas Boyd and include Hadyn’s Cello Concerto No. 2. Sat. 8 p.m. $26-$120. Alex Theatre, 216 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale. Sun. 7 p.m. $26-$120. Royce Hall, 340 Royce Drive, Westwood. (213) 622-7001. MON | OCT 20

Sometimes, people are so good they don’t even need a last name. As one of the most celebrated Israeli singers today, she’s the only Rita on our radar. Her musical career began in the Israel Defense Forces, and she since went on to voice Pocahontas in the Hebrew dub of the animated feature, be named Singer of the Year by Israel’s national radio station and release more than 10 studio albums. Sounds promising to me. Mon. 7:30 p.m. $60 (unreserved seating), $100 (reserved seating and pre-concert reception). The Pico Union Project, 1153 Valencia St., Los Angeles. (818) 760-1077. ” target=”_blank”>international.ucla.edu.

WED | OCT 22

GARY GULMAN

Gary Gulman is as funny as he is tall — and he’s 6-foot-6. A finalist on NBC’s “Last Comic Standing” for two seasons in a row, this comedian is known for his absurd observations on the everyday. He’s appeared on many incarnations of late-night talk shows, hosted New England Sports Network’s “Comedy All-Stars” and has released a number of comedy albums, including “Conversations With Inanimate Objects” and “All I Want for Christmas in Chanukah!” If you think he’s big now, this guy is only gonna get bigger. Wed. 7 p.m. (doors), 8:30 p.m (show). $30. Largo at the Coronet, 366 N. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 855-0350. THU | OCT 23

Tonight marks the beginning of an American Jewish University eight-part series on family matters, sibling rivalry and our Jewish tradition. Tonight’s session is called ““Love, Anger and Consequences: God as our Father/Mother,” headed by Rabbi Bradley Artson. The series will feature other leading rabbis on topics such as “The Rape of Dinah: Horrible Violation or Love Story Gone Bad?” “What Do You Do with a Jealous Husband?” and more. Participating rabbis include (but aren’t limited to!) Laura Geller, Zoe Klein and Elliot Dorff. If you thought Jewish learning was prudish — think again. Thu. 7:30 p.m. Through Dec. 18.  $25 per session or $118 for all eight. Locations vary. (310) 476-9777. ” target=”_blank”>writersblocpresents.com.

“LIGHT & NOIR: EXILES AND ÉMIGRÉS IN HOLLYWOOD, 1933-1950”

In an almost ironically dramatic fashion, some of Hollywood’s leading actors, directors, writers and composers had to escape Nazi persecution in order to make the cinematic contributions they eventually did. The exhibit, co-presented with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, locates the stories of Franz Waxman, Ernst Lubitsch, Billy Wilder, Marlene Dietrich and many more, to discover — through footage, photos, costumes, clips and posters — how the journey of the émigré informed the journey of film in America. The exhibit is complemented by two others: “The Noir Effect” and “Café Vienne.” Thu. Various times. Through March 1. $10 (general), $7 (seniors, students, children over 12), $5 (ages 2-12), free (members, children under 2). Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 440-4500.