7 Days in Arts

7 days in the Arts, around Los Angeles.

[additional-authors]

Keren Engelberg

April 14, 2005

Saturday, April 16

Sephardic Temple Tifereth Israel scholar-in-residence Estelle Frankel talks kabbalah this weekend. The author of “Sacred Therapy” is a psychotherapist, a spiritual adviser and a teacher of kabbalah. Today she discusses the ancient Jewish teachings as they relate to Passover, and tomorrow, as they relate to Freud and psychology.

Noon. (Sat.), 10:30 a.m. (Sun.). $25-$35. 10500 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. R.S.V.P., (310) 475-7311.

Mysticism of another variety is at the heart of AVAZ International Dance Theatre’s latest modern/folk dance production, “The Golden Mask of Guran.” The Persian tale, part historical, part fairy tale/myth, tells of a Roman slave girl who uses a magical mask to communicate with and help the wild zebras her king likes to hunt.

8 p.m. (Sat.), 3 p.m. (Sun.). $20-$35. Arartani/Japan American Theatre, Los Angeles. Also, April 30 at 8 p.m at Irvine Barclay Theatre. www.avazinternationaldance.org.

Sunday, April 17

Congregation Kol Ami’s “Music at Kol Ami” series gives us huddled masses yearning to breathe free with today’s premiere of “Ellis Island, an Oral History of Immigration in America.” Singers, actors and performance artists draw portraits of early 20th-century American immigrants.

2 p.m. $15-$20. 1200 N. La Brea Ave., West Hollywood. R.S.V.P., (323) 606- 0996.

Monday, April 18

Sort of “Big Chill”-y for 20-somethings, “Origin of the Species” is the story of six friends — two of whom are played by Elon Gold and Amanda Peet — who reunite for a weekend in a summer house. Issues of life and death and sex and relationships surround them all as they find themselves at different crossroads. It’s out now on DVD.

$24.95. www.originofthespeciesthemovie.com.

Tuesday, April 19

Dropping today is singer/songwriter Saul Zonana’s latest CD, “42 Days.” Born to older parents, a Spanish father and Brooklyn Jewish mother, Zonana credits his older brother with introducing him to the songs of the Beatles, his primary musical influence. This latest pop/rock collection is co-produced by Adrian Belew of King Crimson, who also lends his guitar-playing talents to three tracks.

www.cdbaby.com.

Wednesday, April 20

For wacky hijinks and light-hearted fare, head to the Geffen Playhouse Brentwood Theatre for its production of the classic George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart play, “You Can’t Take it With You.” With its cast of zany family member characters, the 1937 Pulitzer Prize-winning play is credited as a seminal force in the creation of the modern sitcom family. Tony Award-winner Roy Dotrice heads up the cast in this latest production.

Runs through May 22. 11301 Wilshire Blvd., Building 211, Veterans Administration Campus. www.geffenplayhouse.com.

Thursday, April 21

“Doikayt.” It refers to the philosophy of Yiddish-speaking Jews who worked in sweatshops a century ago and established unions to protect themselves. It means “here-ness,” as in being present in the world around you and working for social justice. It’s also the title of today’s event being sponsored by Progressive Jewish Alliance and AVADA, a project that tries to engage under-30 Jews in Yiddishkayt. Tonight’s nonseder is a spoken word and musical exploration of many peoples’ journeys toward freedom.

9 p.m. $10-$15. The Vanguard, 6201 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. (323) 761-8350.

Friday, April 22

Family heirlooms become art in “Containers of Memories,” The Federation’s Bell Family Art Gallery’s latest exhibition. Artist Viviana Lombrozo explores the role memories play in personal and collective identity through the use of these pieces.

Runs through October. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (Mon.-Thurs.), 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. (Fri.). Free. 6505 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. (323) 761-8352.