7 Days In Arts

Saturday, Sept. 15

Moshe Givati is like the Forrest Gump of Israel, having
endured almost every defining moment of the country’s history. Born during the
1948 War of Independence, he was injured in a clash with a terrorist in the
Golan Heights in 1969 and has fought in nearly every war since then including
the Six-Day War and the Yom Kippur War. In 1978, Givati was promoted to the
position of colonel, claiming the title of civil defense commander for the
greater Tel Aviv area. Today, he will be signing his book “September Survivor”
at 5 p.m. at Steimatzky Prolog Bookstore, 19566 Ventura Blvd., Tarzana. For more
information, call (805) 241-7030.

Sunday, Sept. 16

Tonight, the film “Liam” traces the life story of a
7-year-old boy as he struggles with poverty and his father’s resulting
belligerence. The family’s plight is exacerbated by the emergence of the 1930s
Depression and Britain’s continuous war-like environment. A Q&A session with
the movie’s distributor, Lions Gate president, Tom Ortenberg, will follow. $7
(general admission); $6 (members). 7 p.m. Museum of Tolerance, 9786 W. Pico
Blvd., Los Angeles. For tickets or more information, call (310) 772-2452.

Monday, Sept. 17

Artist Aaron Smith proves that a picture is definitely
worth a thousand words … or at least as long as one of Walt Whitman’s poems.
Smith has produced a series of works in response to Whitman’s “Calamus” poems
from “Leaves of Grass.” The sensual image in “Heel” portrays a nude woman who
appears as if she is about to bathe in the brook nearby representing the unity
between nature and the human figure. Gallery hours: Tues.-Fri., 10 a.m.-5:30
p.m.; Sat., 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Koplin Gallery, 464 N. Robertson Blvd., Los
Angeles. For more information, call (310) 657-9843.

Tuesday, Sept. 18

Mark Podwal’s art really gets under your skin. It’s not
because he’s a dermatologist, rather, his images combining Judaica with Jewish
cuisine like hamentashen bring back fond memories of holidays spent with the
family. Today, his work is exhibited in “Legends and Visions: Art From the
Jewish Experience”. His canvas paintings and drawings have graced the pages of
children’s books, capturing the essence of bible stories, such as “King Solomon
and His Magic Ring “and “Moses and Angels”. On Rosh Hashana, Podwal’s seven
recently completed designs, including a 10-foot Torah curtain and engraved
zodiac wheel will be installed in a Texas synagogue. Gallery hours: Tues.-Sat.,
10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Through Oct. 13. Forum Gallery, 8069 Beverly Blvd., Los
Angeles. For more information, call (323) 655-1550.

Wednesday, Sept. 19

“Night and Day in L.A.” may concoct images of the oh-so
hectic daily occurrences of this eccentric city. Artists Kalman Aron, David Rose
and Zolita Sverdlove display their concept of this urban playground we call: Los
Angeles. While Aron displays the simple picture of two elderly men playing board
games in the park, Rose relays the variety of creatures who inhabit Hollywood.
Opening reception: Sun., Sept. 16, 3 p.m.-5 p.m. Gallery hours: Sun.-Thurs., 10
a.m.-4 p.m.; Fri., 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Docent tours available on Wednesdays,
noon-1:30 p.m. University of Judaism, 15600 Mulholland Drive, Bel Air. For more
information, call (310) 476-9777 ext. 203.

Thursday, Sept. 20

Alan M. Dershowitz, best-selling author and former
Supreme Court clerk, is probably one of the best people to explain the
controversy of election 2000. Many are still angered by the court’s decision to
grant presidency to a candidate that may have not deserved it. Dershowitz traces
this most baffling court ruling since the Dred Scott Decision and admits that
the court indeed picked its own personal priorities over justice. Tonight, he
speaks on his book “Supreme Injustice: How the High Court Hijacked Election
2000” along with John C. Eastman, director of the Center for Constitutional
Jurisprudence; Robert Pushaw, visiting professor at Pepperdine University School
of Law; and Marc Rosenbaum, legal director for the ACLU of Southern California.
$6 (general admission); $5 (members). 7 p.m. Museum of Tolerance, 9786 W. Pico
Blvd., Los Angeles. For reservations or more information, call (310) 772-2452.

Friday, Sept. 21

Broadway choreographer/director Joe Gideon worked so
much that he was on the brink of a mental and physical breakdown. Tonight, the
workaholic’s story is portrayed in “All That Jazz”, a semi-autobiographical film
written and directed by Bob Fosse, starring Roy Scheider (Gideon), Jessica Lange
and Ben Vereen. After its 1979 release, the biography won four Academy Awards
for Art Direction, Costume Design, Fialm Editing and Music. A panel discussion
with the film’s costume designer Albert Wolsky and executive producer Dan
Melnick will follow the film. $5 (general admission); $3 (Academy members). 8
p.m. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, 8949 Wilshire Blvd.,
Beverly Hills. For tickets or more information, call (310) 247-3600.