Calendar Picks and Clicks: Feb 9–15, 2013

SAT FEB 9

IRA GLASS

“This American Life” has earned acclaim for its in-depth coverage of news stories and unlikely subject matter. The popular radio program has redefined the way stories are told. Glass, host of “This American Life,” appears in person to reveal how the culturally significant weekly show went about “Reinventing Radio.” Live at his radio desk, Glass shares the secrets for how he unearths the drama and humor in everyday true stories, mixing clips, music and his own penetrating narration. Sat. 8 p.m. $48. Carpenter Performing Arts Center. 6200 Atherton St., Long Beach. (562) 985-7000. carpenterarts.org.

SUN FEB 10

SUPER SUNDAY

The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles’ annual volunteer-staffed phone-a-thon raises funds to help care for Jews in need, engage with the community and ensure the Jewish future. Shifts are available in both the Mid-City and Valley locations, including with Federation’s Young Adults of Los Angeles (must be 18 or older). Also, today marks the Federation’s first community service day of 2013. Sun. 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m., 5-9 p.m.: Jewish Federation, Goldsmith Center, 6505 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles; 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m., noon-4 p.m., 4-8 p.m.: Temple Judea, 5429 Lindley Ave., Tarzana; 5-9 p.m.: YALA at The Goldsmith Center. Visit jewishla.org to register or for more information.

“THE STREISAND SONGBOOK”

Singer and film icon Barbra Streisand connects with audiences of all ages and inspires artists of every generation. One of these is singer-songwriter Ann Hampton Callaway, who appears at the Walt Disney Concert Hall to perform music from Streisand’s timeless songbook, including “People,” “On a Clear Day,” “Evergreen” and “Cry Me a River.” The composer of more than 250 songs, from television themes to Broadway show numbers, Callaway was asked by Streisand to write the lyrics for the song she sang to James Brolin at their wedding. Lyricist Alan Bergman joins Callaway in a special guest appearance. Sun. 7:30 p.m. $50.50-$119.50. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., downtown. (323) 850-2000. laphil.com.

WED FEB 13

“VIBRANT AND RIVETING: JEWISH ROOTS IN AMERICAN MUSIC”

Robert Greenberg, world-famous teacher, composer and raconteur, wears his admiration of Aaron Copland and George Gershwin on his sleeve as he performs and lectures about selections from the composers’ catalogs at Sinai Temple. Greenberg shows how these two composers drew on their Jewish roots and combined their own work with African-American and other indigenous American sounds to create the first truly American concert music. Wed. 7:30 p.m. $8 (Sinai Temple members), $16 (general). Sinai Temple, 10400 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 481-3243. sinaitemple.org.

THU FEB 14

“I NEVER SAW ANOTHER BUTTERFLY”

This one-act play for elementary and middle-school students follows child inmates of the Terezin concentration camp who created art as a way to escape the horrors of camp life. “I Never Saw Another Butterfly” centers around Raja, who shares her story about life in the camp, including creating a world of flowers and butterflies behind barbed wire. When Raja befriends Honza, the two unite the segregated boys and girls houses through a secret newspaper, Vedem. Several performances will be followed by conversations with Holocaust survivors. Thu. Through Feb. 17. Performance times: 10 a.m., 1 p.m., 5 p.m., 7 p.m. $12.50. Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach. (949) 497-2787, ext. 1. lagunaplayhouse.com.

L.A. RISING FOR WOMEN

Eve Ensler’s taboo-busting feminist hit, “The Vagina Monologues,” spawned the worldwide V-Day movement, which has raised millions to end violence against women. A nonprofit charity created in 1998, V-Day uses art, activism and international activities to educate and change social attitudes toward violence against women, even sending a delegation of women to Israel, Egypt and Jordan in 2003 to spread the word. Celebrate the 15th anniversary of V-Day with a live DJ and band, dance crew, V-Day drinks, a photo booth and more. Performers include DJ Nova Jade, who contributes to the Jewish Journal’s Oy Gay blog. The U.S. National Committee for UN Women participates. Thu. 8 p.m.-1 a.m. $10 (presale), $12 (door). The Joint, 8771 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles. onebillionrising.org.

FRI FEB 15

“HITLER’S CHILDREN”

Gathering testimonies from the descendants of Nazi officials, “Hitler’s Children,” a new documentary by Israeli director Chanoch Ze’evi, follows the descendants of Hitler’s inner circle as they struggle with their family legacies. Among them is Niklas Frank, son of Hans Frank and godson of Hitler, who despises his father’s past so much that he has spent his entire adult life writing negatively about him, and Bettina Goering, great-niece of Hermann Goering, who lives in voluntary exile and decided, along with her brother, to get sterilized so as to not pass on the Goering name or blood. Fri. Various times. $11 (general), $8 (children under 12, seniors). Laemmle’s Music Hall 3, 9036 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills. Laemmle’s Town Center 5, 17200 Ventura Blvd. Encino. (310) 478-3836. laemmle.com.