7 Days in The Arts

Saturday 7

Bruins and Trojans unite in the name of Jewish art. For the first time ever, the Hillels of UCLA and USC collaborate to present coinciding art exhibitions. Titled “Makor/Source,” the two shows feature works by 23 contemporary Jewish artists reflecting their study of Jewish text. Each artist will show a different piece at each show.

Free. Opens Jan. 7 at UCLA Hillel. Opening reception and panel discussion Jan. 7, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Yitzhak Rabin Hillel Center, 574 Hilgard Ave., Los Angeles (310) 208-3081, ext. 125.

Opens Jan. 22 at USC Hillel. Opening reception Jan. 22, 4-6 p.m. 3300 S. Hoover St., Los Angeles. (213) 747-9135.

Sunday 8

It wouldn’t be a week in our Jewish community without the requisite cantorial concert. But Congregation B’nai Israel (CBI) does it up big for theirs today. “MaTovu: A Musical Celebration Paying Tribute to the Works of Two Great Cantorial Masters” features cantors from across the country, plus Stephen Wise’s Nathan Lam and CBI’s Marcia Tilchin. They sing the liturgical music of renowned cantors Yossele Rosenblatt and Philip Moddel to benefit the Cantors Assembly and the Philip Moddel Scholarship Fund.

7:30-9 p.m. $18-$250. Chapman University Memorial Hall, One University Drive, Orange. R.S.V.P., (714) 730-9693.

Monday 9

Hearing John Lithgow’s voice in your head again? Must’ve already heard about Walt Disney Concert Hall’s special audio tour. Visitors don headphones to learn about the creation of the building, with Lithgow playing virtual tour guide. Architect Frank Gehry, L.A. Philharmonic music director Esa-Pekka Salonen and acoustician Yasuhisa Toyota also chime in periodically with details about how it all came together.

10 a.m.-3 p.m. most days. Check Web site for schedule. $8-$10. 111 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. (323) 850-2000.

Tuesday 10

In conjunction with the release of art historian Peter Selz’s book, “Art of Engagement,” about politically motivated pieces by California artists, Jack Rutberg Fine Arts presents an exhibition of nearly 80 works from the book, including paintings, sculptures, prints and drawings.

Jan. 3-31. Free. 357 N. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles. (323) 938-5222.

Wednesday 11

There are bad dates where maybe the guy chews with his mouth open, and then there are the really bad ones where you end up in jail without your cell phone. That’s the kind Courtney Fine is on in her new show, “ME2.” Follow the Jewish girl’s trials and tribulations over the course of a very lousy evening, at the Masquer’s Cabaret playhouse.

7:30 p.m. (Wed.), 9:30 p.m. (Sat.). $15. 8334 W. Third St., West Hollywood. (310) 590-7229.

Thursday 12

The Levantine Center and PEN USA co-host a conference this evening exploring the relationship between the Arab and Western worlds. “The Arab/Muslim Revolution: The Middle East and the West” features Islamic scholar Reza Aslan and historian Mark LeVine in conversation. But along with a heaping helping of political dialogue come live music by Mohammed Cahoua and Omar Fadel and an open bar reception to keep the mood convivial.

7:30 p.m. Free. Levantine Cultural Center, 5920 Blackwelder St., Culver City. R.S.V.P., (310) 559-5544.

Friday 13

Venture out this evening despite 13th superstitions to see L.A. Theatre Works’ latest show. “Top Girls” is the Obie-winning comedy by Caryl Churchill about feminism during England’s Thatcher years. The production will be recorded for the nationally syndicated radio theater series “The Play’s the Thing.”

Jan. 11-13 (8 p.m.), Jan. 14 (3 p.m.), Jan. 15 (4 p.m.). $25-$45. Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 827-0889. www.latw.org.