Calendar Picks and Clicks: Nov. 24 – Dec. 3, 2010

WED | NOV 24

(COMEDY)
Comedian Beth Lapides combines original music and stand-up for “100% Happy 88% of the Time,” a one-woman show about finding happiness during a time of profound change. Wed. 8:30 p.m. (Lapides also performs Dec. 1, 8 and 15.) $20. Improv Lab Theater, 8162 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles. (323) 651-2583. improv.com.

THU | NOV 25

(MITZVAH)
Take a break from your Turkey Day prep and volunteer some time with the Westside Thanksgiving, an interfaith effort to feed and care for those in need. Pick from many ways to pitch in: Decorate, pick up turkeys and pies, greet and seat guests, serve food and more. Children welcome, but they must be accompanied and supervised by an adult. Thu. 6 a.m.-7 p.m. (volunteer shifts). Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, 1855 Main St., Santa Monica. (310) 394-3153. westsidethanksgiving.org.

FRI | NOV 26

(MITZVAH)
Once you’re done with your Black Friday shopping, join the young professionals of Sinai Temple’s ATID as they volunteer with Operation Gratitude, assembling care packages for American troops stationed overseas. Fri. 1-4 p.m. California Army National Guard Armory, 17330 Victory Blvd., Van Nuys. (310) 481-3244. atidla.com.

SAT | NOV 27

(TELEVISION)
“Candyman: The David Klein Story” premieres on the Documentary Channel. Experience the epic rise and fall of the eccentric inventor of Jelly Belly jellybeans, who sold his company too early to reap the rewards of what would eventually became a billion-dollar enterprise. This feature-length documentary looks at both sides of the American dream: how Klein lost his beans, but kept his soul. Sat. 5 p.m. documentarychannel.com.

SUN | NOV 28

(THEATER)
Hershey Felder’s one-man show, “Maestro: The Art of Leonard Bernstein,” takes us on a musical tour of Bernstein’s life — from youngster to Harvard graduate to assistant conductor of the New York Philharmonic. In this new work from the creators of “George Gershwin Alone,” Felder portrays the composer of “West Side Story” and “On the Town” as a complex and conflicted human being for whom boundaries did not exist. During the late show at 7 p.m., enjoy Wine Down Sundays, a complimentary wine tasting. Sun. Through Dec. 12. 2 and 7 p.m. $65-$80. Geffen Playhouse, 10866 Le Conte Ave., Los Angeles. (310) 208-5454. geffenplayhouse.com.

MON | NOV 29

(ISRAEL)
Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Dan Meridor, a longtime Likud member and minister of intelligence and atomic energy, lectures on “Law and Politics in the Middle East Peace Process.” Mon. 5-7 p.m. Free. 1347 Law School, UCLA Campus, Los Angeles. (310) 825-9646. international.ucla.edu/israel.

TUE | NOV 30

(MUSIC)
“Penniless Immigrant to American Icon,” a musical tribute to composer Irving Berlin, features pianist Bob Lipson and writer-narrator Saul H. Jacobs performing “Blue Skies,” “Always,” “Cheek to Cheek” and more. Tue. 7 p.m. Free. Valley Beth Shalom, 15739 Ventura Blvd., Encino. (818) 788-6000. vbs.org.

(COMMUNITY)
Ladies get their multitasking on during “Martinis, Manicures and Men,” a women-only event with Jewish Journal singles columnist and author Carin Davis (“Life, Love, Lox: Real-World Advice for the Modern Jewish Girl”). Davis leads a discussion while attendees drink up and get free manicures. Tue. 7:30 p.m. $5 (advance), $10 (door). Robb Salon, 12246 Ventura Blvd., Studio City. (310) 479-2468.

WED | DEC 1

(HOLIDAY)
Celebrate Chanukah in the heart of the City of Angels as Pershing Square hosts a Menorah Lighting at sunset each night during the holiday. After the lighting, which takes place at the southwest corner of the square, enjoy skating amid the skyscrapers and historical landmarks during the 13th annual Downtown on Ice. Wed. Sunset. Free. $6 (skating, plus $2 rental fee). Pershing Square, 532 S. Olive St., downtown. (213) 847-4970. laparks.org/pershingsquare.

(HOLIDAY)
Join Congregation Kol Ami and Metropolitan Community Church for an interfaith service that marks the first night of Chanukah and the 23rd World AIDS Day. Wed. 7 p.m. Free. Metropolitan Community Church, 4953 Franklin Ave., Los Angeles. (323) 669-3434. kol-ami.org.

THU | DEC 2

(BUSINESS)
The Los Angeles Jewish Chamber of Commerce and the Latino Business Chamber of Greater Los Angeles co-host a Chanukah Mixer, featuring Wolfgang Puck cuisine and live musical entertainment. Thu. 5:30 p.m. $10 (members, advance), $20 (general, advance), $25 (general, door). Club Nokia VIP Room, 800 W. Olympic Blvd., downtown. lajewishchamber.com.

FRI | DEC 3

(COMEDY)
Celebrate Chanukah with laughter when comedians Adam Richmond, Shawn Pelofsky, Skyler Stone and others perform during the Jewish National Fund’s annual Chanukah party, JNFuture Kings & Queens of Comedy. All proceeds benefit the Friends of Israel Firefighters. Wed. 7 p.m. $36 (JNFuture members), $65 (general, advance), $80 (general, door). The Comedy Store, 8433 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles. jnf.org.

(LECTURE)
Come for Shabbat, stay for Marc Ginsberg. A former U.S. ambassador to Morocco, he was the first Jewish American diplomat to be appointed to an Arab country. Now a Fox News commentator and lecturer, Ginsberg will discusses Islam’s future in the West and the 21st century realities of the Middle East. Fri. 7:30 p.m. Free. Kehillat Israel, 16019 Sunset Blvd., Pacific Palisades. (310) 459-2328.
kehillatisrael.org.