Calendar Picks and Clicks: June 19-June 29, 2011

WED | JULY 20

L.A. GALAXY JEWISH COMMUNITY NIGHT
Cantor Yonah Kliger of Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills sings the national anthem as the L.A. Galaxy faces off against the Columbus Crew. Wed. 7:30 p.m. $36. The Home Depot Center, 18400 S. Avalon Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 288-3737. tebh.org.

YOUNG ADULT SUMMER SOIREE
Young professionals (ages 25 to 45) mingle, network and enjoy kitschy fun, including a photo booth, a handwriting analyst and a caricature artist at tonight’s swanky poolside bash at the W Hotel. Organized by The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles’ Young Leadership Division. Wed. 7-10:30 p.m. $20 (advance), $25 (door). W Hotel, 930 Hilgard Ave., Los Angeles. (323) 761-8324. jewishla.org.

THU | JULY 21

‘MATE’
Genius, recluse, champion, outcast — the true story of chess phenomenon Bobby Fischer comes to the stage. The Actors’ Gang production examines Fischer’s often self-destructive obsession with the game and his complicated relationships with women, including his mother. Charting his rise as the world’s foremost chess player, “Mate” follows Fisher through his downfall as he becomes increasingly paranoid and isolated from society. Written by Lolly Ward and directed by Eric Tucker, the play offers a unique portrait of a man who was once the public face of American dominance during the Cold War. Thu. Through Aug. 6. 8 p.m. $10 (advance), pay-what-you-can (door). The Ivy Substation, 9070 Venice Blvd., Culver City. (310) 838-4264. theactorsgang.com.

TRAVELING PICKLE FACTORY
Learn the history of the American kosher dill, how to make one and what makes a pickle kosher. Rabbi Shmuel Marcus of Chabad of Cypress leads the interactive workshop, part of Grand Performances, an outdoor summer entertainment series in Los Angeles held at downtown’s California Plaza. RSVP for do-it-yourself pickle kit to pickle@grandperformances.org (only 150 kits available, limit two kits per e-mail address). Thu. 8 p.m. Free. Grand Performances, 350 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. (213) 687-2159. grandperformances.org.

FRI | JULY 22

JEWLYWEDS
Tonight’s program, “Holy Marriage — Wholly Meaningful,” includes Shabbat dinner with Rabbi Adam Kligfeld, singing, dancing and a discussion on how Jewish teachings can create successful marriages. For newly married couples (five years or less) and engaged couples only. Fri. 6:30 p.m. (services). 7:45 p.m. (program). $36 (per couple). Temple Beth Am, 1039 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 652-7353. tbala.org.

SAT | JULY 23

THE KLEZMATICS
Catch a Skirball screening of director Erik Greenberg Anjou’s feature-length documentary, “The Klezmatics: On Holy Ground,” which offers a candid, on- and off-stage look at the Grammy-winning Yiddish-roots band, delving into the members’ private lives and creative process. After the doc, drive to Thousand Oaks to catch the band live at the Open Borders music and arts festival. “The Klezmatics: On Holy Ground”: Sat. 2-4 p.m. Free (no reservations). Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 440-4500. skirball.org. Concert: Sat. 6 p.m. $20-$35. Open Borders, 125 W. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks. (805) 497-1018. openborders2011.com.

SUN | JULY 24

CREATING AN EVENT TO REMEMBER
Planning a bar or bat mitzvah, wedding, naming ceremony or some other simcha? Event professionals discuss what to expect during the planning stages and offer advice on décor and floral design, catering, music and entertainment, working within your budget and integrating spiritual traditions with modern celebrations. A Q-and-A follows. Light refreshments served. Sun. 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Free (advance reservations recommended). Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 440-4500. skirball.org.

LORIN SKLAMBERG
Can’t get enough of The Klezmatics? Sklamberg, the group’s lead singer, performs historic and contemporary Yiddish folk, theater songs, Chasidic spirituals and tunes from The Klezmatics’ 2006 album, “Wonder Wheel,” which features lyrics by Woody Guthrie. Sun. 7:30 p.m. $18. Coffee Gallery Backstage, 2029 N. Lake Ave., Altadena. (626) 798-6236. coffeegallery.com.

Nick Kroll

TUE | JULY 26

NICK KROLL & FRIENDS
You might know him as the incorrigible Rodney Ruxin, a Jewish product-liability attorney, on “The League,” Stu from HBO’s “The Life and Times of Tim,” or El Chupacabra, Reno’s only Latin radio show DJ, on “Reno 911.” Kroll, co-author of “Bar Mitzvah Disco,” performs and hosts an evening of stand-up. Comedian Aziz Ansari and another special guest are slated to appear. Tue. 9 p.m. $25. Largo at the Coronet, 366 N. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 855-0350. largo-la.com.

WED | JULY 27

WEDNESDAY NIGHT PAJAMA-RAMA
Kids and toddlers get to party with their PJs on at the Zimmer Children’s Museum during this monthly summer-only event, featuring Krazy Kid Karaoke and Rock-a-bye Storytime. Wed. 5-7:30 p.m. $8 (adults), $5 (children 2-17), free (children under 2). Zimmer Children’s Museum, 6505 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 101, Los Angeles. (323) 761-8989. zimmermuseum.org.

THU | JULY 28

Film: “LIVE FROM JERUSALEM”
Zubin Mehta conducts the Israel Philharmonic with soprano Renée Fleming and tenor Joseph Calleja in this one-night-only performance. Filled with majestic arias and duets, the concert honors the legacy of American tenor Richard Tucker and will screen at more than 400 theaters nationwide. The American Friends of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra’s Young Associates (ages 21-45) hosts Margaritas and Music, a special reception with drinks and appetizers at Pink Taco prior to the live delayed HD broadcast at the Century City AMC. Thu. 5:30 p.m. (pre-concert refreshments at Pink Taco), 7 p.m. (film). $35 (includes Pink Taco reception and AMC admission). Westfield Century City Mall (level 2), 10250 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles). (212) 697-2949. afipo.eventbrite.com.

“CHOICE: AN INTERFAITH PERSPECTIVE”
The National Council of Jewish Women/Los Angeles hosts a community panel discussion and workshop on women’s choice and how it pertains to various faiths. Learn how to lobby on choice, how to get your letter to the editor published and how to meet with your legislators. Light refreshments served. Thu. 9 a.m.-noon. Free. NCJW/LA Council House, 543 N. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles. (323) 852-8503. ncjwla.org.

FRI | JULY 29

MICHAEL FEINSTEIN
Feinstein, one of the foremost interpreters of American standards, joins the Singing Stars of Television — Wayne Brady, Florence Henderson, Cheyenne Jackson and Dick Van Dyke — and the Los Angeles Philharmonic to perform songs from the Great American Songbook. Second show Sat., July 30. Fri. 8:30 p.m. $11-$158. Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N. Highland Ave., Hollywood. (323) 850-2000. hollywoodbowl.com.

LEGISLATIVE BREAKFAST
The Anti-Defamation League Latino-Jewish Roundtable and Valley Beth Shalom host state Sens. Alex Padilla and Kevin de León as well as Assemblymen Bob Blumenfield, Mike Feuer and Felipe Fuentes for a discussion on “The State of Higher Education in California.” Kosher dietary laws observed. Fri. 8 a.m. Free (advance registration required). Valley Beth Shalom, 15739 Ventura Blvd., Encino. RSVP to (310) 446-4241. vbs.org.