The nonprofit holds a social event for Jewish business people and professionals to network. So, come and eat, chat and make those connections. Guest speakers will be Randy Schwartz and David Stein. Wed. 7-9 p.m. Free.
The 29th annual Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Film Festival features two Israeli entries today. Director Eytan Fox (“Yossi & Jagger”) brings us “Mary Lou,” a musical miniseries that’s been called Israel’s “Glee.” Meir is a young gay man in search of his mother, who abandoned him on his 10th birthday. As he searches for her in Tel Aviv — convinced she became a backup singer for ’70s pop star Svika Pick
The acclaimed author of “Coraline,” “Stardust” and the comic book series “The Sandman” discusses his award-winning fantasy novel “American Gods” with comedian Patton Oswalt. Presigned copies of the newly updated 10th anniversary edition of “American Gods,” which is being adapted for an HBO series, must be ordered in advance. Tue. 8 p.m. $15 (general), $35 (includes copy of book). Saban Theatre, 8440 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills. (213) 623-1773. sabantheatre.org.
The Israeli-born French chanteuse adds a freewheeling style to her ethereal pop sound as she performs songs from her new solo album, “101.” Brooklyn-based folk artist Chris Garneau opens. Sat. 8 p.m. $20. Luckman Fine Arts Complex, 5151 State University Drive, Los Angeles. (323) 343-6600. luckmanarts.org.
Organized by the folks who bring you the Jewlicious Festival, this inaugural, two-day concert series features sounds of the rising indie folk-rock revival Tuesday night. Wednesday: high-energy local bands. Artists include soulful singer Hyim, indie songstress Yael Meyer and pop-rockers The Wellspring, fronted by Blue Fringe’s Dov Rosenblatt. Tue. Through June 15. 7 p.m. (doors), 8-11 p.m. (concerts).
Jewish texts further the understanding of difficult social issues and current events, including the Arab spring, WikiLeaks, protests at soldiers’ funerals and more. Sponsored by Temple Beth Am, Temple Emanuel, Adat Shalom, Pico Egal, Ma’or and the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies. Tue. 7:15 p.m.
Fyodor Dostoevsky’s “Crime and Punishment” inspires director Nina Menkes’ 2010 Israeli art film, which follows a morose young Israeli Jew (Didi Fire) who murders a female pawnbroker. Shot in Yaffo, a predominantly Arab part of Tel Aviv, the film won the Anat Pirchi Award for Best Drama at the 2010 Jerusalem International Film Festival.
Kids 7 to 15 years old perform composer Andrew Lloyd Webber’s biblically inspired, pop-infused musical. Sold into slavery by his 11 brothers, who resent him for being their father Jacob’s favorite son, Joseph eventually becomes one of the most powerful men in Egypt after interpreting the Pharaoh’s dreams and correctly predicting a coming famine. Sat. Through June 5. 2 and 7 p.m. $5-$15. Madrid Theatre, 21622 Sherman Way, Canoga Park. (818) 347-9938. www.ci.la.ca.us/cad/madridtheatre.
Party in Pico-Robertson with Chaim Fogelman, the Cheder Boys Choir, the Platt Brothers and TNT Dunk Squad, followed by a parade with marching bands and floats. Then stay for the fair, including rides, games booths, petting zoo and kosher food stands. Sun. 10:30 a.m. (concert), 11:30 a.m. (parade), 12:45-4 p.m. (fair). Free.
Mightnight is Paris. Owen Wilson stars opposite Marion Cotillard and France’s first lady, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, in Woody Allen’s latest romantic comedy, which opened the 64th Cannes Film Festival on May 11. When a young engaged couple (Wilson and Rachel McAdams) travel with family on a business trip to the City of Light, they are forced to confront the illusion that a life different from their own would be better. Kathy Bates, Adrien Brody, Gad Elmaleh and Léa Seydoux also star. Fri. Various theaters. sonyclassics.com/midnightinparis.\n
More news and opinions than at a Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.