THU | MARCH 17
“The activist supreme court”
Erwin Chemerinsky, founding dean at the UC Irvine School of Law, is the featured speaker during a colloquium event organized by the Plato Society of UCLA. Q-and-A follows. Thu. 12:45 p.m. (coffee, tea and cookies reception), 1:30 p.m. (lecture). Free. Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 794-0231. uclaextension.edu/plato.
“FDR”
Ed Asner, the award-winning actor best known as television’s Lou Grant, stars in a one-night-only performance. Based on the play “Sunrise at Campobello,” this one-man show follows the 32nd president as he reflects on his years in office, from inauguration to World War II. Thu. 8 p.m. $15-$55. Valley Performing Arts Center, 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge. (818) 677-8800. valleyperformingartscenter.org.
FRI | MARCH 18
BLUEGRASS SHABBAT
Celebrate in country-western fashion. Chazzan Mike Stein (guitar, fiddle and lead yodels) and his sons Justin Stein (bass) and Jared Stein (fiddle) perform during tonight’s service, along with musicians Fred Sokolow (mandolin and dobro) and Pat Cloud (banjo). Fri. 8:15 p.m. Free. Temple Aliyah, 6025 Valley Circle Blvd., Woodland Hills. (818) 346-3545. templealiyah.org.
SAT | MARCH 19
YASMIN LEVY
The passionate Israeli singer reinvigorates the Judeo-Spanish style, combining Ladino with Andalusia and mixing in flamenco and the sounds of the Middle East. Born in Jerusalem to the leading academic on Judeo-Spanish culture, Levy brings her 500-year-old musical journey to Los Angeles as part of her month-long U.S. tour. The Journal and the Consulate General of Israel in Los Angeles co-sponsor. Sat. 8 p.m. $25-$45. Luckman Fine Arts Complex, 5151 State University Drive, Los Angeles. (323) 343-6600. luckmanarts.org
“JUDGEMENT AT NUREMBERG”
Drake Hogestyn (“Days of Our Lives”) stars as Ernst Janning, a defendant in a U.S. military tribunal who is charged with crimes against humanity during the Nazi regime. Tonight’s staging of Abby Mann’s fictionalized account of the post-World War II Nuremberg trials includes a “You, the Jury” component, allowing the audience to participate and vote guilty or not guilty. Sat. 7:30 p.m. Through April 3. $20 (students, seniors), $25 (adults). Santa Monica Playhouse, 1211 Fourth St. Santa Monica. (310) 394-9779. westofbroadway.org.
“PARADE”
The Tony Award-winning musical dramatizes the true events surrounding the 1913 Atlanta trial of Leo Frank, a Jewish American factory owner who was convicted of raping and murdering a 13-year-old employee, Mary Phagan. Lucille, Frank’s wife, stands by her cold and distant husband throughout the ordeal, leading him to realize his deep love for her. Anti-Semitism generated by the events depicted in “Parade” led to the creation of the Anti-Defamation League. Sat. 8 p.m. Through April 23. 8 p.m. (Fridays), 8 p.m. (Saturdays), 2 p.m. (Sundays). $23. Westchester Playhouse, 8301 Hindry Ave., Los Angeles. (310) 645-5156. kentwoodplayers.org.
SUN | MARCH 20
“DANCE TO THE DECADES”
The Ovarian Cancer Circle’s inaugural fundraiser features music, food, wine and more. Inspired by Robin Babbini, who died from ovarian cancer at 20, the L.A.-based nonprofit aims to raise funds for ovarian cancer research. Sun. 7-10:30 p.m. $50. House of Blues, 8430 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. (323) 842-8100. theovariancancercircle.org.
“DEATH OF A SALESMAN”
Jane Kaczmarek (“Malcolm in the Middle”) and theater veteran Stacy Keach (“Frost/Nixon”) star in Oscar winner Eric Simonson’s revival of Arthur Miller’s masterpiece, which follows 63-year-old businessman Willy Loman as he confronts his own defeat and disillusionment. The play comes to the Skirball as part of L.A. Theatre Works’ 2010-11 season. Sun. 4 p.m. $20 (students), $40-$48 (general). Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 827-0889. latw.org.
TUE | MARCH 22
ISRAELI ART SHOW
The Israeli Leadership Council sponsors an exhibition of David Mey-Tal’s paintings, which are dedicated to the memory of his eldest son, Amir, as well as the Israel Defense Forces. Tue. 7:20-9 p.m. $10. Saban Theatre, 8440 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills. (323) 655-4900. RSVP at meytalartshow.eventbrite.com.
POWER OF WOMEN LUNCHEON
Celebrity chefs Susan Feniger, Nancy Silverton and Suzanne Tracht offer a live cooking demonstration and share the appetizing stories behind their recipes during this event organized by the Jewish Federation. Tue. 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. $90. Hangar 8, Santa Monica Airport, 3100 Donald Douglas Loop N., Santa Monica. (818) 464-3207. jewishla.org.
ALISA WEILERSTEIN
The young cellist and the St. Petersburg Philharmonic perform Brahms’ Symphony No. 4, Rimsky-Korsakov’s Russian Easter Overture and Shostakovich’s Cello Concerto No. 1. Tue. 8 p.m. $49-$152. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. (323) 850-2000. laphil.com.
“FIDDLER ON THE ROOF”
The shtetl comes to the stage in Thousand Oaks, with such classics as “Sunrise, Sunset” and “If I Were a Rich Man,” marking the 45th anniversary of its win for best musical at the Tony Awards. Tue. 8 p.m. Through March 27. $44-$59. Fred Kavli Theatre, Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks. (805) 449-2700. toaks.org.
THU | MARCH 24
“UNCOVERING JEWISH MOROCCO”
Travel agent and blogger Lisa Niver Rajna discusses Jewish roots in the region, from following Maimonides’ footsteps to the Marrakech Synagogue, and Vanessa Paloma performs Sephardic songs in Ladino and Spanish. You can also enjoy the flavors of a Moroccan Passover. Thu. 7-8 p.m. Free. RSVP recommended, wesaidgotravel@gmail.com. Udko Annex, Stephen S. Wise Temple, 15500 Stephen S. Wise Temple Drive, Los Angeles. (310) 405-1788. wesaidgotravel.blogspot.com.
More news and opinions than at a Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.