Calendar Girls Picks and Clicks August 23 – 29: Benny Goodman, opera, magic and more

SAT | AUGUST 23

(OPERA)

Today, the importance of recalling the horrors and magnitude of the Holocaust are more important than ever. The children at LA Opera’s annual summer camp (photo,below) will present Hans Krasa’s moving piece, “Brundibár.” The enchanting tale of tolerance and hope is a work that is historically significant because it had been ” target=”_blank”>http://www.laopera.com.

” target=”_blank”>http://www.laemmle.com.

(MAGICAL BENEFIT)

Here’s how to market a charity event: Just plug the words “fantasy” and “illusion” into the title. And that’s exactly what you’ll get during “A Night of Fantasy and Illusion” hosted by The Guardians of the Los Angeles Jewish Home for the Aging. Illusionists and fire-eaters will sweep through the mysterious Houdini estate, entertaining guests as they drink, dine and dance while beats spun by the Playboy mansion’s resident DJ wake up the neighbors in the Hollywood Hills. All this and a good cause! Sat. 8 p.m. $150 (women), $200 (men). The Harry Houdini estate, 2400 Laurel Canyon Blvd., Hollywood Hills. (310) 479-2468. ” target=”_blank”>http://www.sababaparties.com

(THEATER)

Women always worry about guests. Will there be enough food? Will they like it? Oy vey! Enter Abigail, the protagonist of Mike Leigh’s middle-class comedy, “Abigail’s Party,” who forces food and cigarettes on her guests to cover up that her dinner party and her marriage are falling apart. Sat. 8 p.m. Through Oct. 12. $15-$45. Odyssey Theatre Ensemble, 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 477-2055. ” border = 0 vspace = ‘8’ hspace = ‘8’ align = ‘left’>in a showcase of musical flavors. Expressing the cultural diversity of Jews in the Diaspora, guitarist Adam del Monte joins Cantor Marcelo Gindlin, harpist Marcia Dickstein and the Mariachi Divas for a musical feast in the outdoor air. Sun. 7:30 p.m. $25-$36. The Ford Amphitheatre, 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East, Hollywood. (323) 461-3673. ” target=”_blank”>http://www.kreativekidsla.com.

(PLAY)

We’ve all heard the horror story where the happily-in-love betrothed couple get to the fateful aisle and someone gets the urge to run. “Lovers and Other Strangers” tells such a tale, set in the 1960s against the backdrop of women’s lib. The story examines the impact of the women’s movement on marriage, work and family — with the unfortunate groom having to bear the brunt of a new and unfamiliar world. 6 p.m. (Sun.), 8 p.m. (Fri.-Sat.). $20. Through Sept. 28. Theatre 68, 5419 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood. (323) 960-7827. ” target=”_blank”>http://www.cerritoscenter.com.

TUE | AUGUST 26

(PARTY)

Nessah mixes fun with philanthropy at its “Glamour Summer Night” party at one of the hippest clubs in West Hollywood. Sam Nazarian, the business brain behind some of Paris Hilton and Lindsey Lohan’s favorite haunts, is donating his club to raise money for Nessah Young Professionals and Friends of the Israel Defense Forces. Twenty and thirtysomethings are invited to dress to the nines and blow out summer with a bang. Tue. 8:30 p.m. $50 (presale), $75 (door). AREA, 643 N. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles. (818) 631-1000. ” border = 0 vspace = ‘8’ hspace = ‘8’ align = ‘left’>Social Circle at Steven S. Wise Temple, why not learn a bit more about your options? Renowned plastic surgeon Dr. George Sanders will answers all the nitty-gritty questions of getting sliced and diced to look oh so nice. And even if you choose not to go under the knife, who can say no to a night of food, drinks and some laughs? Wed. 7-10 p.m. $15 (members), $20 (guests). Hershenson Hall, Stephen S. Wise Temple, 15500 Stephen S. Wise Drive, Los Angeles. (310) 204-1240. johnseeman@aol.com.

THU | AUGUST 28

(FILM AND TELEVISION FESTIVAL)

What do you get when you mix Israeli pilots, a star-crossed and love-struck Nazi-Jewish couple and Plato? A taste of the emerging talent at the August Sun Film and Television Festival. Director Robert J. Locke and August Sun Productions looked for movies, TV pilots and shorts with two things in common: quality and promoting world peace. Today, when we struggle with the idea of peace both in the Middle East and around the world, maybe the perfect solution is relaxing and enjoying a show. Thu. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Also Fri. $25 (half pass for screenings only), $50 (full pass for screenings and seminars). The Crest Theatre, 1262 Westwood Blvd., Westwood. (818) 284-9084, (310) 474-7866. ” target=”_blank”>http://www.bcc-la.org.

–Jina Davidovich contributed to this article