7 Days In Arts

24/Saturday

Eccentric. Jewish. Feminist. Just some of the words one
could use to describe avant-garde writer Gertrude Stein. The American-born Stein
spent most of her life in Paris, and, with her companion, Alice B. Toklas,
survived the persecution of sexual minorities and Jews during German occupation
of France in World War II. Stein’s best-known work, “The Autobiography of Alice
B. Toklas,” was actually the author’s own autobiography, the title inspired from
her more than 30-year relationship with Toklas. Tonight, the City Garage
presents “The Gertrude Stein Project,” an original work that combines Stein’s
prose and seldom-seen plays to showcase her wit, playfulness and sensuality. $20
(general admission); $10 (students and seniors). Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m. and Sun.,
5:30 p.m. For reservations or more information, call (310) 319-9939.

25/Sunday

The psychotherapist is supposed to be emotionless and
selfless while a patient is lying on the couch. Today, the art exhibit “Insight
Out: The Art of the Psychotherapist,” curated by Dr. Geoffrey D. White, defies
that. The artwork of 15 psychotherapists — many of them Jewish — shatters the
longstanding taboo against self-revelation by the mental health professional.
Through photographs, stained glass, drawing, photography and other media, the
artist-therapists grapple with their private feelings about the therapeutic
process. Gallery hours: Sat. and Sun., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Through Dec. 2. Gallery
208, 208 S. La Brea Ave., Inglewood. For more information, call (310) 671-9723.

26/Monday

Aaron Copland, Gustave Mahler and George Gershwin all
have something in common: they had exceptional musical talents, but neglected to
directly influence the Jewish community of which they were a part. In a two-part
program, Synergy, the ensemble of the Los Angeles and Israel-based Center for
Jewish Culture and Creativity, presents “Lost and Found.” The first part of the
program tonight highlights the non-Jewish contributions of the artists, while
the Dec. 17 show brings to light works such as Benedatto Marcello’s cantata
based on the Chanukah hymn “Mao Tsur,” Dimitri Shostakovich’s Piano Trio on a
Jewish Theme,” that gave to the community the precious gift of cultural
affirmation. $15 (in advance); $18 (at the door). 7:30 p.m. For reservations or
more information, call (323) 658-5824.

27/Tuesday

Broadway stars James Barbour (“Beauty and the Beast”)
and Hershey Felder, (“George Gershwin Alone”) have created “Back From Broadway
… A Musical Experience.” The show is about the creative process behind some of
Broadway’s best such as “Fiddler on the Roof” and “Camelot.” Through Dec. 31.
Tiffany Theatre, 8532 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles. For tickets or more
information, call (310) 289-2999.

What if someone told you they were making chicken soup,
but it took eight years for you to get your bowl? Several years after the
release of their first book, the creators of the “Chicken Soup for the Soul”
series, Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen, have prepared a warm bowl of
“Chicken Soup for the Jewish Soul,” (Health Communications, Inc.; $12.95), like
bubbie used to make.

Rabbi Dov Peretz Elkins, the co-editor of “Jewish Soul,” is speaking and signing books tonight at 7 p.m. The collection includes anecdotes from three L.A. area rabbis — Rabbi Steven Leder of Wilshire Boulevard Temple, Rabbi Allen Maller from Temple Akiba in Culver City and Rabbi Scott Aaron, the director of education for the Brandeis-Bardin Institute.

Although the editors give no reason why they waited so long to release a collection of Jewish stories, they say Judaism has a definite link to the entire series because “both chicken soup and stories are quintessentially Jewish.”

Elkins will be speaking and signing books at 7 p.m. at the West Valley JCC Bernard Milken Community Campus, 22622 Vanowen St., West Hills. For more information, contact the JCC at (818) 464-3300. — Shoshana Lewin, ContributingWriter

28/Wednesday

Israeli singer, Chava Alberstein, performs tonight at
the Skirball Cultural Center. $28 (general admission); $25 (members); $20
(students). 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. For more information, call
(323) 655-8587.

29/Thursday

The comedy play “Bordertown” illustrates the disparity
between the American and Mexican worlds through the talents of the comedy troupe
Culture Clash. Actors Richard Montoya, Ric Salinas and Herbert Siguenza describe
the funny things that happen when natives of either country enter the other. The
show is part of L.A. Theatre Works’ radio series. $36-$40 (general admission);
$10 (student rush); $20 (public rush). Wed.-Fri., 8 p.m., Sat., 2 p.m. and Sun.,
4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los
Angeles. For reservations or more information, call (310) 827-0889.

30/Friday

John Green of Booklist magazine characterized editor
Nathalie Handal’s new anthology The Poetry of Arab Women as an answer to “a
long-felt need.” Indeed, the book condemns the widespread repression of these
women throughout various Arab countries by allowing them to express their
feelings through poetry. Tonight, some of these talented women will perform
poetry readings in “Arab Women Poets” hosted by Handal. $5-$7 (general
admission). 8 p.m. Levantine Center at Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Centre, 681
Venice Blvd., Venice. For reservations or more information, call (323) 650-3157.