Picks and Clicks for Feb. 7–13, 2009

SAT | FEBRUARY 7
(BENEFIT CONCERT)
Israeli violin virtuoso Hagai Shaham has performed at Carnegie Hall five times. The classical musician and USC professor is working toward another performance at the hall — but this time for the talented tikes of the South Pasadena Children’s Orchestra. The award-winning ensemble, made up of 5- to 11-year-olds, including Shaham’s own two children, is raising money to fund a trip to New York for an April concert. Lending his support and skills to the effort, Shaham will perform and speak at an intimate black-tie gala in South Pasadena. The evening will include a wine-and-cheese reception before the concert, a catered dinner, a talk by Shaham titled, “The Life of a Musician” and a silent auction. The Children’s Orchestra will also be making an appearance on stage in a Bach minuet. Sat. 6 p.m. $75. Oneonta Congregational Church, 1515 Garfield Ave., South Pasadena. (626) 403-4611. ” border = 0 vspace = ‘8’ hspace = ‘8’ align = ‘left’>(SCIENCE)
Eric Kandel was a witness to appalling human behavior in his early life. He took his traumatic experiences of fleeing Nazi-occupied Vienna and channeled them into research in behavioral science. For more than 50 years, Kandel has been delving into the brain processes that shape human behavior and memory, and in 2000 he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine. Spend “An Afternoon With Nobel Laureate Eric Kandel” at a rare Los Angeles appearance, and view the premiere of a new documentary, “In Search of Memory — Eric Kandel,” based on his 2006 autobiography, “In Search of Memory: The Emergence of a New Science of Mind.” Sun. 2 p.m. $10 (general), $8 (members and students). Advance tickets required. Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. (877) 722-4849. ” title=”jewishoutdooradventures.com”>jewishoutdooradventures.com or call (310) 858-6875 or (310) 770-7962.

(MUSIC)
This isn’t just Yiddish music; these are Yiddish tangos. Gustavo Bulgach, bandleader and clarinet player behind Klezmer Juice, is bringing the Jewish music of his native Argentina and other Latin American countries to an L.A. audience. Klezmer Juice will be the highlight of “Jewish Urban History in the Americas: A Comparative Look at Jewish Buenos Aires & Jewish Los Angeles,” which also features a panel discussion on “Jewish Life in Buenos Aires: Past and Present.” R.S.V.P. is required. Sun. 7 p.m. Free. UCLA Center for Jewish Studies and Yiddishkayt Los Angeles, 314 Royce Hall, UCLA Campus, Los Angeles. (310) 206-4836. ” title=”www.lamiradatheatre.com”>www.lamiradatheatre.com.

(TU B’SHEVAT)
Andy Lipkis, founder of TreePeople, will be getting his hands dirty at the group’s annual Tu B’Shevat tree planting in the San Fernando Valley, and he needs your help. Volunteers of all ages are invited to lend a hand in planting 90 flowering peach trees in a city park as part of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s Million Trees L.A. initiative. Take part in healing the environment and celebrate the Jewish New Year of the Trees. Sun. 9 a.m.-noon. Free. Northeast San Fernando Valley (address and directions provided upon registration). ” title=”www.sinaitemple.org”>www.sinaitemple.org.

WED | FEBRUARY 11
” title=”www.tebh.org”>www.tebh.org.

(FILM)
Movie lovers and history buffs will delight in “Strangers in Paradise: Jewish Filmmakers in Exile,” a six-session film history class offered by Inside the Story. Taught by film scholar Alessandro Pirolini, the series will highlight the cultural, artistic and intellectual contributions of Jewish filmmakers who were instrumental in creating Hollywood. The multimedia lectures will blend video and audio clips, films, literary texts and songs. Wed. 7 p.m. $250 (six sessions). El Caballero Country Club, 18300 Tarzana Drive, Tarzana. (310) 367-5140. ” border = 0 vspace = ‘8’ hspace = ‘8’ align = ‘left’>(VALENTINE’S DAY)
It’s that dreaded time of year again, or — depending on your perspective — maybe it’s your favorite time of the year. No matter, because new singles group Heebster is throwing a Valentine’s Day party everyone can enjoy, whether you’re married, single, divorced or as they like to say on Facebook, in that “complicated” category. The Black and Red Party will not only give you an excuse to dress up in dashing red or black, but it will also help raise funds for the nonprofit cancer organization, Imerman Angels. Complimentary sushi and dessert, cash bar and prizes; what more could you want? Thu. 9 p.m. $25 at door, $20 pre-sale. Location to be determined. ” title=”www.allinthesameboat.com”>www.allinthesameboat.com.

(PLAY)
In a plot twist of Shakespearean proportions, Brenda Adelman’s “My Brooklyn Hamlet” reflects on the shooting death of her bohemian mother by her wannabe-Italian father, who goes on to marry her sister. Performed around the world, including the Repair the World: International Jewish Theatre Festival in Vienna and the 11th annual Los Angeles Women’s Theatre Festival, Adelman’s one-woman show is a story of triumph over tragedy. The performance promises to offer big laughs, big characters and plenty of poignant moments. Thu. 8 p.m. $12 (online); $14 (at door). (Also playing on March 12.) bang., 457 N. Fairfax Ave., Hollywood. (866) 811-4111. ” title=”www.aloudla.org”>www.aloudla.org.