When Israeli documentary filmmaker David Fisher discovers the memoir of his late father, a Holocaust survivor who was interned in Gusen and Gunskirchen, Austria, Fisher decides to retrace his father’s footsteps.
Dedicated to the life and memory of journalist Daniel Pearl, this October music month features concerts across the globe, including today’s performance of “Songs of Salomone Rossi: Harmony for Humanity” by Tesserae at Contrapuntal Recital Hall in Brentwood. Other concerts include Ray Dewey (Oct. 16);
Feminist icon Gloria Steinem discusses reproductive rights and their importance in the upcoming presidential election. While this free event is open to the public, seating is limited. RSVP to zoe@history.ucla.edu. Sun. 7 p.m. Free. UCLA campus, Broad Art Center, Room 2160E, Los Angeles. (310) 825-4601. history.ucla.edu/events/gloria-steinem-lecture.
West Hollywood’s celebration of the written word features more than 220 authors and artists. Speakers include “Saturday Night Live” alum Rachel Dratch (“Girl Walks Into a Bar”) and comedy writer David Misch (“Funny: The Book”); Journal columnist Bill Boyarsky (“Inventing L.A.”); political commentators Robert Scheer (“The Great American Stickup”) and Nancy L. Cohen (“Delirium”); novelists David Brin (“Existence”), Seth Greenland (“The Angry Buddhist”), Tod Goldberg (“Living Dead Girl”), Gregg Hurwitz (“The Survivor”), Stephen Jay Schwartz (“Beat”) and Jerry Stahl (“Pain Killers”); and children’s writers Amy Goldman Koss (“Side Effects”) and Eugene Yelchin (“Breaking Stalin’s Nose”).
Marc Maron’s refreshingly honest — not to mention popular — podcast features one-on-one interviews with some of the biggest names in entertainment. Tonight, the stand-up comedian hosts “WTF With Marc Maron” before a live audience as part of Riot: L.A.’s Alternative Comedy Festival. Sat. 8 p.m. $20. Downtown Independent Theater, 251 S. Main St., downtown. (312) 730-4000. riotla.com.
The best-selling author of “Tuesdays With Morrie” and “The Five People You Meet in Heaven” sits down with Rabbi David Wolpe to discuss his new book, “The Time Keeper.”
The Pulitzer Prize-winning author of \”The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay\” and \”The Yiddish Policemen\’s Union\” appears in person to read passages from his new novel \”Telegraph Avenue.\” Set in Berkeley at the end of the summer of 2004, record store co-owners Archy Stallings and Nat Jaffe and their midwife wives, Gwen Shanks and Aviva Roth-Jaffee, face personal and professional problems that test the strength of their relationships and businesses. Writer Mona Simpson (\”My Hollywood\”) leads a post-reading discussion and Q-and-A with Chabon and his wife, author Ayelet Waldman (\”Red Hook Road\”). Thu. 7:30 p.m. Free. Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 443-7000.
Television icon Jason Alexander (\”Seinfeld\”) hosts tonight\’s nostalgic celebration at the Hollywood Bowl, which honors Hollywood\’s oldest major studio. Led by conductor and acclaimed film composer David Newman (\”Anastasia,\” \”Ice Age\”), the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra performs scores from Paramount\’s rich history, including \”Wings,\” the first Academy Award winner for best picture, \”The Godfather\” trilogy, \”Titanic,\” action-thriller \”Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol\” and many others.
The Los Angeles Jewish Symphony celebrates its 18th, or Chai, anniversary at the Ford Amphitheatre.
The latest from the Big Jewish Tent cultural series features three simultaneous Shabbat celebrations. Rabbi Ed Feinstein joins Craig Taubman, Shany Zamir, Amir Magal and Josh Nelson, among other artists, performers and presenters at the Ford Amphitheatre (services interpreted in sign language).
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