PICK: WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 7
“THE MAD 7”
Unhappy office drone Elliot Green undergoes a transformation — into a lighter, freer, more realized version of himself — after meeting a blind man who sees, a deaf man who hears, a stutterer who’s a great orator along with four other strangers. Written by and starring New York playwright-performer Yehuda Hyman, the one-man secular comedy is a modern take on the “The Seven Beggars,” a folk tale by Rabbi Nachman of Breslov. A discussion with Hyman and a reception follow. Wed. 7 p.m. Free. Scene Dock Theatre, University of Southern California, downtown. Enter from Gate 6 (Vermont Avenue and 36th Street) or Gate 5 (Jefferson Boulevard at McClintock Avenue). (213) 740-0483. aicf.org.
WED | AUG 31
SOLEIL MOON FRYE
Star of the ’80s sitcom “Punky Brewster,” now a married mom of two and co-founder of the Larchmont Village kids clothing shop The Little Seed, signs copies of her new book, “Happy Chaos: From Punky to Parenting and My Perfectly Imperfect Adventures In Between.” Wed. 7 p.m. Free. Barnes & Noble, The Grove at Farmers Market, 189 Grove Drive, Los Angeles. (323) 525-0270. barnesandnoble.com.
SAT | SEPT 3
FYF FEST
L.A. band Fool’s Gold — led by Israeli-born musician Luke Top — indie-pop rock band Avi Buffalo and sibling comic duo the Sklar Brothers are among the dozens of musical artists and comedians performing at this Labor Day weekend festival. Sat. noon-midnight. $40-$99. Los Angeles State Historic Park, 1245 N. Spring St., downtown. (866) 777-8932. fyffest.com.
SUN | SEPT 4
S. MARK TAPER FOUNDATION AID AND RESCUE CENTER
Visit the Zimmer’s newest permanent exhibition. Explore a fire station, fire engine and a Zodiac Coast Guard rescue boat, which was used to save lives after Hurricane Katrina. Sun. 12:30-5 p.m. $8 (adults), $5 (children, 2-17), free (children, 2 and under). Zimmer Children’s Museum, 6505 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 101, Los Angeles. (323) 761-8984. zimmermuseum.org.
TUE | SEPT 6
VIDAL SASSOON
The man who has been on the cutting edge of hairstyling since the 1960s will present “Vidal Sassoon: The Movie,” which debuts today on DVD. The film recounts Sassoon’s seven years in a Sephardi orphanage, how he fought in the British anti-fascist brigade, 43 Group, served in Israel’s War of Independence and returned to London to start a career that would make him the most recognized hair-stylist on the planet. Tue. 7 p.m. Free. Barnes and Noble at Third Street Promenade, 1201 Third St., Santa Monica. (310) 260-9110. barnesandnoble.com.
PERLMAN AND BEETHOVEN
The iconic Israeli American violinist Itzhak Perlman leads the Los Angeles Philharmonic in performances of Beethoven’s “Two Romances,” “Symphony No. 8” and “Symphony No. 5” at the Hollywood Bowl. Tue. 8 p.m. $1.75-$140. 2301 N. Highland Ave., Hollywood. (323) 850-2000. hollywoodbowl.com.
WED | SEPT 7
AVI ISSACHAROFF
Haaretz’s Palestinian and Arab affairs correspondent discusses the Palestinian bid for recognition in the United Nations. Issacharoff addresses several pertinent questions, including, “What will happen the day after the U.N. vote?” “Will negotiations be possible, and if not, what will fill the vacuum?” and “How do we talk about the current moment and the process that led here?” Wed. 7-9 p.m. Free. Jewish Federation Valley Alliance, 22622 Vanowen St., West Hills. (818) 464-3200. jewishla.org.
LIMMUDLA@ANGEL CITY BREWING
Schmooze, enjoy a variety of craft beers — including brews named after Che Guevara and jazz greats Charlie Parker and Lester Young — and engage in a half-hour learning session with Limmudnik Marcus Freed, who discusses “When Is a Jew Not a Jew? Moving Beyond Boxes and Focusing on What’s Truly Important.” Thu. 7-11:30 p.m. Free (entry only, beer not included). Angel City Brewing, 216 S. Alameda St., downtown. (310) 499-1787. limmudla.org.
FRI | SEPT 9
SECOND ANNUAL SHABBAT AT THE BEACH BBQ
Celebrate Shabbat California-style: on the beach as the sun goes down, with barbecued food and good people. Organized by Reconstructionist synagogue Kehillat Israel, the synagogue recommends that attendees pre-order food by Sept. 6. For non-reserved attendees, there will be limited food and prices will be higher. Fri. 5 p.m. (festivities), 7 p.m. (service). $8 (hot dog meal), $10 (portobello mushroom burger meal), $10 (grilled chicken breast meal), $36 (family four-pack of any combination of the meals). Will Rogers State Beach, 15800 Pacific Coast Highway, Pacific Palisades. (310) 459-2328. kehillatisrael.org.
More news and opinions than at a Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.