7 Days in Arts

Sunday, May 15

Plenty of time to head to the Israel Festival and still take in a concert today. This afternoon, Congregation Or Ami hosts the Jewish Choral Festival of Southern California, featuring 100 singers from six SoCal congregations. Or head to Temple Emanuel this evening for the IDF Musical Ensemble’s Yom Ha’Atzmaut Concert, with an opportunity to meet the Israeli soldiers following the show. Proceeds benefit Friends of Israel Defense Forces.

Choral Festival: 3:30 p.m. $12. 26115 Mureau Road, Calabasas. (818) 880-4800.
IDF Concert: 7 p.m. Free (children under 12), $18-$36 (general). 8844 Burton Way, Beverly Hills. Advance tickets: (310) 305-4063. Last-minute information: (310) 704-6699.

Monday, May 16

Musical Israel Independence Day festivities sing out today, too, with the Israel Christian Nexus’ “The Gathering of the Exiles” concert. Honoring the crew and passengers of Exodus 1947, the ship carrying Holocaust survivors that was blockaded by the British navy off the coast of Israel, the concert is hosted by actor Judge Reinhold and features performances by Lainie Kazan, the Los Angeles Youth Orchestra, Keshet Chaim Dance Ensemble, Israeli pop singer David Dor and gospel singer Andrae Crouch and his choir.

7:30 p.m. $10. Stephen S. Wise Temple, 15500 Stephen S. Wise Drive, Bel Air.
(310) 838-0755.

Tuesday, May 17

You probably weren’t invited when she received a Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement, but you are invited today. Broadway star Carol Channing receives the Burning Bush Award by the University of Judaism’s University Women “for her outstanding contributions in the field of entertainment and her deep commitment to the community.” Help honor her at this morning’s Author/Artist Luncheon.

10 a.m. $85. Beverly Hills Hotel, 9641 Sunset Blvd. R.S.V.P., (310) 440-1283.

Wednesday, May 18

As if your own neuroses weren’t bad enough, this evening head-case Sam Brown welcomes you into his. One-man show “Neurotica” is a journey into the mind of a Jewish guy whose life has gone to pieces. His non-Jewish fianceé is sleeping around, he’s sleeping in a mental hospital and he can’t figure out why his appendix has been removed.

8 p.m. (Wed.-Sat.). Through May 28. $15. Hudson Guild Theatre, 6539 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood. R.S.V.P., (323) 960-7861.

Thursday, May 19

Place rose stem lengthwise in your mouth, grab your partner and cheek-to-cheek it down to Emanuel Arts Theater. Tonight, they present “Jewish Tango Passion,” in which dancers represent Jewish tangos whose origins run from Argentina, Europe and Israel. Maestro Pablo Goldstein is responsible for the performance that features narration by Rabbi Arnold Kopikis, dance by Tango for Three dancers and vocals by Israel Ghelman.

8 p.m. $15-$18. 8844 Burton Way, Beverly Hills. R.S.V.P. by May 17, (323) 658-5824.

Friday, May 20

Arabs and Israelis are passionate about food, according to British playwright Robin Soans, and her new play, “The Arab-Israeli Cookbook,” serves as evidence. Wanting to write a play about the Arab-Israeli conflict, but wanting to humanize the people involved, Soans interviewed Arabs and Israelis about food recipes. The best portions were then compiled into the play, in which personal stories emerge as the characters talk about their recipes. Taste it for yourself at tonight’s opening performance. The play runs through June 26.

8 p.m. (Thurs.-Sat.), 3 p.m. (Sun.). $10-$20. The MET Theatre, 1089 N. Oxford Ave., Hollywood. R.S.V.P., (323) 957-1152.