Saturday
At times heartbreaking in their candor, Lauren Greenfield’s photo essay images and text reveal the not-so-cute-and-cuddly side of “Girl Culture.” Subjects covered include body image, beauty and femininity, as this excerpt by Mary Cady, 18, of Chattanooga Tenn., demonstrates: “I would rather be dumb than be a slut, but I would rather be a slut than be fat or ugly.” Published in Time magazine and as a book, “Girl Culture,” the exhibition, is touring the United States, and can be seen through Feb. 8 at the Stephen Cohen Gallery.
11 a.m.-5 p.m. (Tuesday-Saturday). 7358 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles. (323) 937-5525
8 p.m. $10. 1211 Fourth St., Santa Monica. (310) 394-9779, ext. 1.
Sunday
Tu B’Shevat od lo higiyah, but that doesn’t mean you can’t start celebrating. The Shalom Institute and Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life of Southern California present the 57th annual Community Tu B’Shevat Festival today. Between the numerous special concerts and the storytelling, tree planting, hikes and Jewish nature crafts they’ve got planned, the diversions are good ‘n’ plenty.
11 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. The Shalom Institute, 34342 Mulholland Highway, Malibu. (818) 889-5500.
Monday
Seth Yisra’el Lutnick isn’t your average yeshiva boy. The Israeli (by way of Long Island) plans American student group tours by day, but has always recorded his music by night, and moonlighted with music gigs. Currently touring the United States, he has one show in Los Angeles tonight. “Jerusalem Love” combines Broadway, Jewish and original tunes for “a spiritual and musical journey into the past in search of Jerusalem’s eternity as well as lasting human love.”
9 p.m. $10 (cover, plus two-drink minimum). The Gardenia Room, 7066 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood. (323) 467-7444.
Tuesday
Industry wannabees need only look as far as the Jewish Vocational Service (JVS) for a little edge on the competition. This afternoon, JVS hosts a free workshop led by TV producer/development exec Stephen Kurzfeld (“Beauty and the Beast”). He’ll give you tips on breaking into television and cable (his areas of expertise). So you’ll be one step closer to that role as Meadow Soprano’s long-lost fraternal twin.
3 p.m. 6505 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. R.S.V.P., (323) 761-8888.
Wednesday
Not to name drop, but these guys have worked with artists like Sir Neville Mariner, Mstislav Rostropovich and Leonard Bernstein. They’re the Capitol Ensemble, a group of musicians who perform everything from Baroque to 21st century works. This evening, they kick off the Jewish Music Commission of Los Angeles’s three-concert series at Valley Beth Shalom. The concert features works by Schulhoff, Mozart and Los Angeles area Jewish composers.
7:30 p.m. $20. 15739 Ventura Blvd., Encino. (818) 907-7194.
If music’s not your thing, catch the University of Judaism’s “An Evening With Pulitzer Prize-Winning Playwright Tony Kushner.” The author of “Angels in America” and journalist/author Barbara Isenberg sit down for a conversation, with dessert and book signing to follow.
7 p.m. $15. 15600 Mulholland Drive, Bel Air. (310) 440-1546.
Thursday
“Shalom,” again. Maybe you’ve seen the Skirball’s current “Shalom, Y’all” exhibit, but you probably haven’t seen the documentary by Brian Bain. It chronicles the Jewish Southern experience, and is being screened today. Bain, a Jewish good ol’ boy, himself, will present the film in person.
7:30 p.m. $6 (general), $5 (members), $4 (students). 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. R.S.V.P., (323) 655-8587.
Friday
Opening tonight, Theatre Tribe at the El Portal presents the David Mamet play “Bobby Gould In Hell.” Jewish studio exec Bobby Gould has been sent to hell for being a bad person. Of course, whether he’ll be able to talk himself back out is another story. We were always taught that Jews don’t believe in hell, but then again, we suppose being Mamet means you can get away with that kind of thing.
8 p.m. (Thursday-Saturday). $15. 5269 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. (818) 763-3232.
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