7 Days In Arts

17
Saturday

Big name comedians offer a tasty dish of family-friendly comedy for Anshe Ames Synagogue’s fifth annual yuks for bucks, “A Time to Laugh” stand-up comedy night fundraiser. Wayne Cotter and Steve Mittleman join a line of comics you may have seen on “The Tonight Show “or guesting on prime time. No dirty jokes allowed, a rare event for live comedy. $36 (advance tickets); $45 (at the door); $100 (sponsors) and $360 (patrons), includes a dessert reception with the comedians following the show. 8:15 p.m. Writers Guild Theater, 135 S. Doheny Drive, Beverly Hills. For tickets, call (800) 843-5653.

18
Sunday

What’s bubbling, refreshing, sweet and goes great with Sunday brunch? That’s right: klezmer. The Knitting Factory in NYC has been central to America’s ongoing klezmer revival, and now the Hollywood branch kicks off a weekly performance series. This week, folk-rocker and television and film composer, Peter Himmelman, noodles while you nosh in two klezmer-influenced sets. $15 (brunch and concert); $10 (brunch or concert separately). 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Main Stage, The Knitting Factory, 7021 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. For tickets or more information, call (323) 463-0204.

In 13th century Spain, a cultural openness developed under King Alfonso X that allowed Christians and Sephardi Jews to share their music and ideas. Today, early-music scholar Jordi Savall and his Hesperion XXI ensemble offer the beautiful sounds of that era at UCLA’s Royce Hall. Featuring soprano Montserrat Figueras and period instruments like the Psalterium, sarod and rebab, Hesperion XXI’s “Paradise Lost” concert revives an enlightened time. $9-$40. 4 p.m. For tickets, call (310) 825-2101.

Playwright Shimon Wincelberg, known for his previous success with “Resort 76,” has adapted Nikolai Gogol’s story “The Overcoat” for the stage. The Westside JCC gives the play a staged reading with a playwright reception this afternoon. The heartbreaking comedy follows one of Gogol’s sad clerks, scrimping to afford a new overcoat, and his first day wearing the beautiful garment. $8 (members);$10 (nonmembers). 2 p.m. Westside JCC, 5870 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles. For reservations or more information, call (323) 938-2531 ext. 2225.

19
Monday

The Center for Jewish Culture and Creativity’s performance ensemble, Synergy performs a tribute to the women of the Bible with their third program of the season, “Kol Isha” (woman’s voice). The program includes the Los Angeles premiere of composer Michelle Green-Willner’s chamber piece “Jephthah’s Daughter,” as well as two compositions dedicated to Ruth. $12 (general admission); $10 (seniors); $7 (students). 7:30 p.m. Greenway Court Theatre, 544 N. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles. For reservations or more information, call (323) 658-5824.

20
Tuesday

The young women of Valley Torah High School for girls have put together a musical revue with a touch of vaudeville. “The Genie, The Nanny, The Lion and the Princess” includes stand-up comedy, Yiddish parodies and songs from popular children’s movies (the nanny in the title is Mary Poppins, not Fran Fine). The performance is for women and girls only. $15 (general admission); $36 (preferred seating); sponsorships available. Sun., March 18, 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Mon., March 19, 7 p.m.; Tue., March 20, 7 p.m. Temple Emanuel, 8844 Burton Way, Beverly Hills. For tickets, sponsorship or more information, call (818) 261-1118.

21
Wednesday

“And I had to think about dying when I didn’t want to” is the latest gallery exhibit from Viennese collaborative duo Muntean/Rosenblum. Working together since 1992, Markus Muntean and Israeli-born Adi Rosenblum create realistic paintings and sculpture, taking a deeper look at the world of style and fashion. Tue.-Sat., 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Through March 31. Chicagoprojectroom, 6130 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. For more information, call (323) 931-1783.

22
Thursday

Another marquee comedy fundraiser this week benefits The Guardians of the Jewish Home for the Aging. The Hollywood Palladium gala features comedy legend Robert Klein. As well known for his acting roles in film and television, Klein is a twice Grammy-nominated comedian with seven (!) HBO comedy specials to his credit. $75 (individual ticket); $600 (table of 10). VIP tables available, $2,500-$5,000. 6 p.m. 6215 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood. For tickets or more information, call (310) 479-2468.

23
Friday

The famous eccentric and brilliant style of the physicist Richard Feynman comes to the Mark Taper Forum stage, with Alan Alda starring in “QED”. Feynman’s incredible career took him from helping to invent the atomic bomb to explaining the Challenger shuttle disaster, all the while satisfying his intellectual curiosity with bongo-playing, safe-cracking, Nobel prize-winning glee. Wed.-Fri., 8 p.m. Sat., 2:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Sun., 2:30 p.m. Through May 13. 135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. For tickets, call (213) 628-2772.