7 Days In Arts

Saturday, Dec. 29

Artist Elizabeth Tinglof new mixed media works
“…scapes,” manages to capture on canvas the feeling someone gets while looking
down at the world. The paintings, reminiscent of aerial photographs, uncover the
relationship between the topography of our planet with the landscape of human
emotion. Gallery hours: Tues.-Sat., 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Through Dec. 31. Robert
Berman Gallery, 2525 Michigan Ave., D-5, Santa Monica. For more information,
call (310) 315-1937.

Sunday, Dec. 30

He dueled in “The Princess Bride,” played piano for a
mobster in “Dick Tracy,” and fell in love with Barbra Steisand in “Yentl.” Now,
Mandy Patinkin is bringing his trademark talents to the stage in Mandy Patinkin
in Concert. The actor/singer will perform traditional, classic and contemporary
songs, as well as songs off his just-released CD, Kidults — which he designed
for the kid inside every adult. $15-$65 (general admission). 2 p.m. Also plays
Mon., Dec. 31, 8 p.m. ($25-$75). The Dorothy Chandler Pavilion at the Music
Center, 135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. For tickets or more information, call
(213) 365-3500.

Monday, Dec. 31

Ring in 2002 with a Mediterranean twist at Tempo bar
& grill. Tonight’s New Year’s Eve party has dancing with music from Pini
Cohen and his band, an elegant dinner, champagne and even a breakfast buffet for
those who plan to stay until the wee hours of the morning. $85. 9 p.m. 16610
Ventura Blvd., Encino. For reservations, call (818) 905-5855

Tuesday, Jan 1

Thirty years ago, when 17-year-old Chava Alberstein
skipped her senior year finals to sing at the Hammam Theater in Jaffa, the
Israeli singer started her journey towards stardom. She has since recorded
nearly 50 albums in French, Spanish, Yiddish, Hebrew and English, many of which
went gold or platinum. Her first domestic release, “Foreign Letters,” offers an
array of songs in Yiddish, Hebrew and English including, “Leaves Fall,” “Liar,”
“The Secret Garden” and “A Maiden’s Prayer.” $17.97. To obtain a CD or for more
information, visit www.rounder.com

Wednesday, Jan 2

When writer Mathias Gold inherits a fancy apartment in
Paris, he looks forward to starting a new life. However the current tenants,
94-year old Mathilde and her daughter, have other plans. Emmy Award-winning
playwright Israel Horovitz weaves the lives of these seemingly incompatible
group of characters in “My Old Lady,” into a tapestry of fun, humor and life
lessons. Directed by David Esbjornson, the production features award-winning
actress Sian Phillips (“Goodbye, Mr. Chips,” “I, Claudius”) as Mathilde. $30-$44
(general admission). Tues.-Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.; and Sun.,
2:30 p.m. Through Feb. 10, 2002. Produced through the Mark Taper Forum at the
James A. Dolittle Theatre, 1615 N. Vine St., Los Angeles. For more information,
call (213) 628-2772.

Thursday, Jan. 3

Many are just beginning to understand the intricacies
of Middle East culture and geography, now that eliminating terrorism has become
all too pressing. To clear up misconceptions about the beliefs to which each
region adheres, KCET is re-airing the five-episode series “Search for Destiny.”
Tonight’s episode starts with the formation of the modern Middle East from when
it was ruled by Constantinople through the aggressive British front. 10 p.m.-11
p.m. Airs every Thursday through Jan. 31. For more information, visit
www.kcet.org.

Friday, Jan. 4

Every family has its own traditions and rituals for
lighting candles on Shabbat or cleaning the house for Passover, but how about
one for running a marathon or moving into a new home? That’s why Rabbi Irwin
Kula, the president of the National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership
(CLAL), put together “The Book of Jewish Sacred Practices: CLAL’s Guide to
Everyday & Holiday Rituals and Blessings.” More than 100 occasions are
broken up into 11 sections. Each event includes a meditation, ritual, blessing
and a teaching drawn from a religious text designed to enhance, not replace,
current practices. $16.95 For more information, visit www.clal.org.