fbpx

Calendar Picks and Clicks: August 3-10, 2012

The Skirball screens four documentaries that address the richness, complexity and inherent contradictions of the Jewish experience in the modern age.
[additional-authors]
August 1, 2012

SAT | AUG 4

“THE MUSIC OF JEWISH COMPOSERS”
The ninth annual Beverly Hills International Music Festival features the world premiere of composer Assaf Rinde’s “Meditation on a Sephardic Theme,” performed by guitarist Edward Trybek. Mezzo-soprano Iris Malkin and pianist Jean-David Coen perform pieces by composers Gerald Cohen, Stephen Richards, Max Janowski, Richard Neumann and Daniel Akiva. Pianist Coen performs Joseph Achron’s “Hebrew Melody” with violinist Limor Toren-Immerman as well as Alexander von Zemlinsky’s “Trio in D Minor, Opus 3” with clarinetist Gary Gray and cellist Stephen Green. Festival runs through Aug. 12. Sat. 8 p.m. $25 (general), $15 (seniors, students and Temple Emanuel members). Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills, 8844 Burton Way, Beverly Hills. (310) 779-7622. bhmusicfestival.org, panoramaticket.com.

THE BANGLES
Best known for hits like “Manic Monday,” “Walk Like an Egyptian” and “Eternal Flame,” the Bangles perform as part of the Pershing Square Downtown Stage Free Summer Concert Series. Celebrating their 30th anniversary, Susanna Hoffs, Vicki Peterson and Debbi Peterson recently released their newest album, “Sweetheart of the Sun.” Alt-pop band Right the Stars also performs. Sat. 8-11 p.m. Free. Pershing Square, 532 S. Olive St., Los Angeles. (213) 847-4970. laparks.org/pershingsquare.


SUN | AUG 5

“JEWISH HOMEGROWN HISTORY FILM DAY”
The Skirball screens four documentaries that address the richness, complexity and inherent contradictions of the Jewish experience in the modern age. “The Family Album” draws on home movies to capture American family life from the 1920s through the 1950s. In “The Hunky Blues —The American Dream,” Jewish Hungarian filmmaker Peter Forgács uses home movies and archival footage to explore the immigration of Hungarians to America. While tracing the roots of her family, filmmaker Jacqueline Levitin discovers the 1,000-year-old history of a Chinese-Jewish community in Kaifeng in “Mahjong and Chicken Feet.” And while documenting the life of Chasidic Jews living in the Fairfax district of Los Angeles, urban anthropologist Barbara Myerhoff documents her conversion to Orthodox Judaism as she copes with her imminent death from cancer, in “Her Own Time — The Final Fieldwork of Barbara Myerhoff.” Sat. 11 a.m.-3:40 p.m. Free. Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 440-4500. skirball.org.

MAGGIE ANTON
Author of the acclaimed “Rashi’s Daughters” series appears at Beth Chayim Chadashim tonight to celebrate the release of her new novel, “Rav Hisda’s Daughter, Book I: Apprentice,” which follows talmudic sage Hisda’s beautiful and learned daughter Hisdadukh. Derailed by a series of tragedies, Hisdadukh must decide if her path lies in the way of sorcery, despite the peril. Klezmer music, food and scholarly words from Anton highlight this book launch. Books available for purchase. Sun. 6 p.m. Free. Beth Chayim Chadashim, 6090 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles. (323) 931-7023. bcc-la.org.


WED | AUG 8

“JEWISH COMEDY NIGHT: COAST 2 COAST”
Comedians Wayne Federman (“Late Night With Jimmy Fallon”), Kira Soltanovich (“Girls Behaving Badly”), Mark Schiff (Jewlarious), Avi Liberman (Comedy for Koby) and Laugh Factory regular Ian Edwards perform in one of two stand-up comedy shows on both coasts on the same night. Wed. 8 p.m. $20 (advance), $25 (door). Laugh Factory, 8001 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles. (323) 656-1336. jspace.com/allevents.


THU | AUG 9

ORQUESTRA SARABIA
Blending traditional Jewish and Arabic songs with Afro-Cuban rhythms, Cuban composer and percussionist Roberto Juan Rodriguez’s 10-piece ensemble of Cuban, Jewish and Arabic musicians performs tonight at the Skirball. Part of the museum’s “Sunset Concerts” live music series. Arrive early to dine under the stars, tour the Skirball’s galleries and explore the museum’s architecture and hillside setting. Thu. 8 p.m. Free (concert), $10 (parking per car, cash only). Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 440-4500. skirball.org.


FRI | AUG 10

“NOBODY LIKES JEWS WHEN THEY’RE WINNING”
Playwright Maia Madison’s comedy follows interfaith couple Sarah and Patrick, who want to get married and live happily ever after, so long as Sarah’s Jewish family never finds out. Examining the ways in which Jews are portrayed in Hollywood and how pervasive these stereotypes are, the play explores the larger themes of family, intimacy and self-determination. Part of the Open Fist Theatre Company’s fourth annual First Look Festival, a celebration of contemporary theater. Fri. Through Sept. 8. 8 p.m. $20. Open Fist Theatre Company, 6209 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles. (323) 882-6912. openfist.org.

Did you enjoy this article?
You'll love our roundtable.

Editor's Picks

Latest Articles

Print Issue: Got College? | Mar 29, 2024

With the alarming rise in antisemitism across many college campuses, choosing where to apply has become more complicated for Jewish high school seniors. Some are even looking at Israel.

More news and opinions than at a
Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.

More news and opinions than at a Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.

More news and opinions than at a Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.