Arts in L.A Calendar

SEPTEMBER
 
Sat., Sept. 16
 
“The California Modernist Portrait.” Exhibition of portraiture from the ’20s, ’30s and ’40s by Victor Arnautoff, Otis Oldfield, Mabel Alvarez and others. Sept. 16-Nov. 11. Spencer Jon Helfen Fine Arts, 9200 W. Olympic Blvd., Suite 200, Beverly Hills. (310) 273-8838.
 
www.helfenfinearts.com.
 
“Vaudeville Extravaganza!” With variety acts by Janet Klein and Her Parlor Boys, Davis and Faversham and juggler Beejay Joyer; and screenings of a cartoon, vintage newsreel, Charlie Chaplin comedy “One A.M.” and Buster Keaton’s “Pardon My Berth Marks.” Alex Film Society. 8 p.m. $12.50-$19.50. Alex Theatre, 216 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale. (818) 243-2539.
 
www.alextheatre.org.
 
“Mexico — Mi Tierra y Mis Pasiones” by Grandeza Mexicana Folk Ballet Company. Features “De Cara al Mar,” choreographed by Viviana Basanta Hernandez in collaboration with Los Angeles’ Grandeza Mexicana. 8 p.m. $25-$30. Ford Amphitheatre, 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East, Hollywood. (323) 461-3673.
 
www.fordamphitheatre.org.
 
Sun., Sept. 17
 
“Five Days of Freedom: Photographs From the 1956 Hungarian Revolution.” Images by Austrian photojournalist Erich Lessing. Opening Reception: 3 p.m., Sept. 17. “The Art of Photojournalism” symposium: 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Sept. 18. On view: Sept. 17-Dec. 17. Doheny Memorial Library, University of Southern California, Los Angeles. R.S.V.P. (213) 740-3270.
 
www.usc.edu/libraries.
 
Mon., Sept. 18
 
Writers Bloc Presents Michael Tolkin in Conversation With Stephen Gaghan. Tolkin, the writer of “The Player” and “The Return of the Player” is interviewed by Gaghan, screenwriter of “Traffic” and “Syriana.” 7:30 p.m. $20. Fine Arts Theater, 8556 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills. R.S.V.P., (310) 335-0917.
 
www.writersblocpresents.com.
 
Tue., Sept. 19
 
Classical Pianist Gabriela Montero in Concert. 8 p.m. $35. Silent Movie Theatre, 611 N. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles. (323) 655-2520.
 
www.livenation.com.
 
Wed., Sept. 20
 
“SIDES: The Fear Is Real…” Comedic play about six hopeful actors and their audition nightmares. East West Players. Sept. 20-Oct. 1. $20-$60. David Henry Hwang Theater, Union Center for the Arts, 120 Judge John Aiso St., Los Angeles. (213) 625-7000.
 
www.eastwestplayers.org.
 
Fri., Sept. 22
 
“Yosemite: Art of an American Icon — Part I: 1855-1969.” Includes works by Albert Bierstadt, William Keith, Maurice Braun and Ansel Adams. Sept. 22-Jan. 21. Free (children under 6), $3-$7.50 (general). Museum of the American West, 234 Museum Drive, Los Angeles. (323) 221-2164.
 
www.autrynationalcenter.org.
 
Sat., Sept. 23
 
“On Being Human: Expressions of Faith, Love, Shame and Hope.” Exhibit of works by figurative artists representing free and captive societies around the globe. Sept. 23-Oct.21. Johnson Art Collection, 8304 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles. (323) 655-5738.
 
www.johnsonartcollection.com.
 
Fri., Sept. 29
 
“Un Domingo en La Alameda/A Sunday in the Alameda.” World premiere play inspired by a mural by painter Diego Rivera. Sept. 29-Nov. 5. (All performances in Spanish, with English performances from Oct. 12-15 only.) $20-$35.Teatro Carmen Zapata, Bilingual Foundation of the Arts, 421 N. Avenue 19, Los Angeles. (323) 225-4044.
 
www.bfatheatre.org.
 
Garth Fagan Dance. Fagan is perhaps best known for his choreography of the musical “The Lion King.” Program includes “Prelude From Discipline Is Freedom,” “Oatka Trail,” “Touring Jubilee 1924 (Professional),” “Life: Dark/Light” and “Translation Transition.” 8 p.m. $20-$36. Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, 12700 Center Court Drive, Cerritos. (562) 467-8818.
 
www.cerritoscenter.com.
 
Sat., Sept. 30
 
Jules Massenet’s “Manon.” The opera is performed by Anna Netrebko and Rolando Villazón, and conducted by Plácido Domingo. Pre-performance lectures occur one hour prior to each performance. Sept. 30-Oct. 21. $30+. Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Music Center of Los Angeles, 135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. (213) 972-8001.
 
www.laopera.com.
 
OCTOBER
 
Sun., Oct. 1
 
2006 Mak Architecture Tour. Sample L.A. modernism with houses by Irving Gill, Frank Lloyd Wright, Rudolph Schindler, John Lautner and Peirre Koenig. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. $65-$135. R.S.V.P., (323) 651-1510.
 
www.makcenter.org.
 
Wed., Oct. 4
 
Cinema Italian Style. Screening series celebrates contemporary Italian cinema and is the official site for Golden Globes for best foreign picture eligibility screenings. In-person guests include actress Valeria Golino. Oct. 4-8. $6-$9. American Cinematheque at the Aero Theatre, 1328 Montana Ave., Santa Monica. (323) 466-3456.
 
www.aerotheatre.com.
 
Fri., Oct. 6
 
“The Marvelous Wonderettes.” The pop musical tells the story of four high school girls and features songs from the ’50s and ’60s. Oct. 6-Nov. 26. $40. El Portal Forum Theatre, 5269 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. (866) 811-4111.
 
www.marvelouswonderettes.com.
 

“Transforming Vision: The Wood Sculpture of William Hunter, 1970-2005.” First retrospective exhibition of the seminal artist’s work. Oct. 6-Dec. 10. Free (members, children under 12 and all Fridays), $6-$7 (general). Long Beach Museum of Art, 2300 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach. (562) 439-2119.
 
www.lbma.org.
 
Les Grands Ballet Canadiens de Montréal. The contemporary ballet company presents “Noces,” a fast, energetic piece choreographed by Belgian dance maker Stijn Celis, and “TooT,” by Dutch choreographer Didy Veldman, known for her humor and energetic dance theater. Oct. 6-7. $25-$95. Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Music Center of Los Angeles, 135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. (213) 365-3500.
 
www.musiccenter.org.
 
Three Mo’ Tenors. The trio of African American operatic tenors perform Broadway and gospel music. Oct. 6-7, 8 p.m. $42-$67. Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, 12700 Center Court Drive, Cerritos. (562) 467-8818.
 
www.cerritoscenter.com.
 
City Ballet of Los Angeles performs “Behind the Red Door.” The cabaret-style ballet explores the Greenwich Village jazz scene of the 1950s and celebrates the music of John Coltrane, plus classical ballet works. 8 p.m. $12-$20. Ford Amphitheatre, 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East, Hollywood. (323) 461-3673.
 
www.fordamphitheatre.org.
 
Sat., Oct. 7
 
The Folk Tree Collection Presents Joel Nakamura. The award-winning illustrator and fine artist uses a sense of humor and critical social eye to reflect on contemporary issues in his paintings on tin. Opening reception: 2-6 p.m. On view: Oct. 7-Nov. 4. 199 S. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena. (626) 795-8733.