7 Days In Arts

Saturday

The Consulate General of Israel in Los Angeles welcomes 15 members of Small Hands, a young adult’s group overseen by the Holocaust Education Center of Japan. One of Small Hands’ Los Angeles stops includes Temple Beth Am, where they will perform a Japanese dance called “Sakura” (Cherry Blossoms) at the end of Saturday morning services.For more information, call (310) 652-7354, ext. 219.This week is your last chance to take in two compelling exhibits by Zimbabwean Jewish artist Ginette Mizraki at LA Artcore. The first, “Emanation: Recent Works,” is a sensual abstract exploration of the process of transformation. The second, “Illumination: Gold Series,” is an ordered set of 36 abstract paintings with embedded shapes. As Mizraki explains it, “There is a certain religiosity that transpires in the invitation to experience each individual painting or particle and the whole.” The kabbalah, she says, is a strong influence in her work.”Emantion: Recent Works,” noon-5 p.m. (Wednesday-Sunday). LA Artcore at the Union Center for the Arts, 120 Judge John Aiso St., Los Angeles. (213) 617-3274. “Illumination: Gold Series,” noon-4 p.m. (Thursday-Sunday). LA Artcore Brewery Annex, 650A S. Avenue 21, Los Angeles. (213) 276-3274. Both exhibits run through July 30.

Sunday

Victor Perera, author of “The Cross and the Pear Tree: A Sephardic Journey,” will be honored today in a special memorial service. Organizing the tribute, which will include readings by writers and friends, is Ivri-NASAWI, New Association of Sephardi/Mizrahi Artists and Writers International, an L.A.-based arts organization that Perera co-founded, and a member organization of the Levantine Cultural Center. Perera, who died June 14 of a stroke, was described by his friends as “a man of intense and diverse interests, all connected by a search for a kind of mystical affinity or spirituality.” Of his identity, Perera was quoted as saying, “To be a Sephardi, I discovered, is to see the world as mystery, so that even ordinary events are infused with the sense of otherness … Sephardim are prone to be polyglot and multicultural from infancy, as they crisscross religious and ethnic boundaries with deceptive ease.”7 p.m. Beyond Baroque Literary/Arts Center, 681 Venice Blvd., Venice. R.S.V.P., (323) 650-3157.

Monday

Of Warsaw’s Jewish Cemetery, photographer Peter Handwerker writes, “This cemetery is a peculiar monument, unique evidence of what happened. No, not because of the graves of those resting here. On the contrary, because of the graves that are not here. The absent give evidence to the crime committed.” Offering images of this testimony is his series of photographs titled “For the Dead and the Living,” now on display at the Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust.10 a.m.-5 p.m. (Monday-Thursday), 10 a.m.-2 p.m. (Friday), Noon-4 p.m. (Sunday). Free. 6006 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. (323) 761-8170.

Tuesday

In 1995, Jill Sobule attained one-hit wonderdom with her perky homage to sexual experimentation, “I Kissed a Girl.” In 2003, it’s less clear what she’s up to. Old fans and the idly curious can get the scoop tonight by attending her show at the Knitting Factory.8 p.m. $15. Acoustic Sets: Glenn Tilbrook, John Doe and Jill Sobule. Main Performance Space, 7021 Hollywood Blvd., Suite 209, Hollywood. (323) 463-0204.

Wednesday

More last chances this week. This summer, composer and record producer Yuval Ron resumed his “International Underground” concert series known for its unique pairings of world music artists. Tonight is the last of the three free shows, and features individual and duet performances by Cambodian dancer Sophiline Cheam Shapiro and Nigerian drummer Ayo Adeyemi.7 p.m. UCLA Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 443-7000.

Thursday

We don’t know whether local tennis wunderkind ZachFleischmann will qualify for the 2003 Mercedes Benz Cup held July 25-Aug. 3 atthe Los Angeles Tennis Center/UCLA’s Straus Stadium (named for Jewishphilanthropist Leonard Straus), but we do know the annual tournament brings someof the world’s best players — Lleyton Hewitt, Mark Philippoussis, GustavoKuerten and Marat Safin — within arm’s reach. At the tournament’s July 28fundraiser for the MusiCares Foundation, you can watch Hewitt and Kuerten pairedwith tennis aces Dustin Hoffman and Kelsey Grammar. For tickets, call (310)825-2101 or go to www.mercedes-benzcup.com

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Friday

HELIOS Dance Theater and choreographer Laura Gorenstein Miller breathe life into the old supermom quandary, exploring issues of work, community, motherhood and love through dance. With original score by Rob Carins and Stabat Mater by Pergolesi, the dance suite, titled “The Quickening,” premieres tonight at the Ford Amphitheatre. A preshow cocktail party will be hosted by sponsor Step Up Women’s Network.6:30 p.m. (cocktail benefit), 8:30 p.m. (performance). $12-$25 (performance), $100 (VIP tickets and cocktail benefit). 2580 Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood. (323) 461-3673.