Calendar Picks and Clicks: June 15-21

SUN JUNE 16

GELLER FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS

American Jewish University’s inaugural arts festival begins with an evening of contemporary dance with BODYTRAFFIC and the L.A. Dance Project, directed by Benjamin Millepied, a choreographer best known for his work on “Black Swan.” The festival continues with Gideon Raff discussing the similarities and difference between his Israeli series “Hatufim” and its American counterpart, “Homeland”; a performance by internationally renowned Israeli singer Noa and her longtime partner, Gil Dor; as well as a sold-out evening with comedian Joan Rivers. Sun. BODYTRAFFIC/L.A. Dance Project. 7 p.m. $45-$100. June 17. Gideon Raff. 7:30 p.m. $25. June 18. Noa and Gil Dor. 7:30 p.m. $45-$100. June 20. Joan Rivers. 7:30 p.m. American Jewish University, Gindi Auditorium, 15600 Mulholland Drive, Los Angeles. (310) 440-1246. wcce.aju.edu.

BLOOMSDAY

The Hammer’s fourth annual celebration of James Joyce’s “Ulysses” includes dramatic readings of the book’s “sirens” section by professional actors, live music by Irish band the Sweet Set, a Guinness happy hour and more. Set on the same date as Joyce’s novel, the event takes its name from the book’s protagonist, Leopold Bloom, who was born a Jew. Sun. 2-8 p.m. Free. Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 443-7000. hammer.ucla.edu. 

TUE JUNE 18

“COMEDY NIRVANA! AN EVENING WITH MARC MARON” 

Maron is on fire. His refreshingly honest — not to mention popular — podcast features one-on-one interviews with some of the biggest names in entertainment, and “Maron,” a new IFC series, offers more confessional, raw, honest and thought-provoking comedy. Tonight, catch the actor-comedian and members of the IFC series cast and creative team, including Bobcat Goldthwait, for an exclusive conversation featuring clips from the series. Tue. 7 p.m. $20. The Paley Center, 465 N. Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills. (310) 786-1000. paleycenter.org/2013-spring-marc-maron.

“A BOY AVENGER, A NAZI DIPLOMAT AND A MURDER IN PARIS” 

Journal book editor and author Jonathan Kirsch appears in conversation with ALOUD curator Louise Steinman to discuss his book “The Short, Strange Life of Herschel Grynszpan: A Boy Avenger, a Nazi Diplomat and a Murder in Paris.” Released this month, “A Boy Avenger” examines the historical details and oral dimensions of one of the most enigmatic cases of World War II, concerning a 17-year-old Jewish refugee, Herschel Grynszpan, who walked into the German embassy in Paris on Nov. 7, 1938, and assassinated Ernst vom Rath, a low-level Nazi diplomat. Two days later, the Third Reich exploited the murder to inaugurate its long-planned campaign of terror against Germany’s Jewish citizens — what became known as Kristallnacht. Tue. 7:15 p.m. Free. Mark Taper Auditorium, Central Library, 630 W. Fifth St., downtown. (213) 228-7025. lfla.org. 

“THE JUDY SHOW — MY LIFE AS A SITCOM”

Judy Gold, the 6-foot-3 Jewish mother of two, is bringing her big, critically acclaimed off-Broadway hit to the Geffen. A one-woman show and homage to the classic sitcoms of Gold’s youth, including “The Brady Bunch,” “The Partridge Family” and “Facts of Life,” “The Judy Show” covers life, love, show biz and, ultimately her quest for her very own show. Through July 28. Tue. 8 p.m. $57. The Geffen Playhouse, Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater Season, 10886 Le Conte Ave., Los Angeles. (310) 208-2028. geffenplayhouse.com.

THU JUNE 20 

“THE BIG SHOW”

Orthodox music superstars Lipa Schmeltzer, an American Chasidic singer and composer who has been called “The Jewish Elvis”; frum rock duo the 8th Day, which combines contemporary popular music with Jewish themes; and vocalist Benny Friedman come together for a concert to raise funds for Bais Chaya Mushka Girls School. Israeli comedian and emcee Modi Rosenfeld brings the funny. Thu. 6:30 p.m. $18-$54. Wilshire Ebell Theatre, 4401 W. Eighth St., Los Angeles. (310) 363-0770. jewishconcertla.com.

EMIL DRAITSER

The author and Hunter College professor discusses “Laughing all the Way to Freedom: Social Functions of Jewish Humor.” The lecture, which draws on his book, “Taking Penguins to the Movies: Ethnic Humor in Russia,” examines the crucial role of Jewish humor at the time of the modern-day exodus of Jews from Russia. Thu. 6:30 p.m. Free. Los Angeles Public Library, Westwood Branch, 1246 Glendon Ave., Los Angeles. (310) 474-1739. www.lapl.org/branches/westwood. 

FRI JUNE 21

“ALIYAH”

Alex, a 27-year-old drug dealer, is continuously paying off the debts of his burdensome brother, Isaac, in director Elie Wajeman’s moody Parisian thriller. When their cousin, who returns to France after his military service in Israel, tells Alex he wants to go back to Tel Aviv to open a restaurant, Alex is tempted to join him. Torn between making his aliyah, selling drugs, his complicated love life and a destructive brother, Alex will have to find his own way and make a final decision. Fri. Various times. $11 (general), $8 (children under 11, seniors). Laemmle Music Hall 3, 9036 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills. (310) 478-3836. laemmle.com.