7 Days In Arts

7
Saturday

The vivid imagery in “Song of Songs,” the sensual and sacred allegory, has inspired artist Laura Lasworth’s exhibit of oil paintings titled “Love’s Lyric.” Lasworth spent three years studying the poem, including a 1998 trip to Israel where she experienced firsthand the natural beauty described in the poem, like the Ein Gedi oasis. See Naomi Pfefferman’s article on Lasworth, p. 44. Artist reception tonight, 5 p.m.-7 p.m. Tue.-Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Through May 19. Hunsaker/Schlesinger Fine Art, Bergamot Station, 2525 Michigan Ave., Santa Monica. For more information, call (310) 828-1133.

8
Sunday

Santa Barbara’s State Street Ballet ventures south to Northridge for a performance of their high energy tribute to the Swing era, Not So Strictly Ballroom. The program features three swinging ballets, including “Eight by Benny Goodman” set to the band leader’s recordings. “Salute to Sinatra” and “B.A.N.D.” featuring the music of Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole, the Andrews Sisters and Duke Ellington round out a ballet program that will have you tapping your toeshoes. $15 (general admission); $12 (seniors); $9 (students). 3 p.m. Performing Arts Center, CSUN, 18111 Nordhoff Street, Northridge. For tickets, call (818) 677-2488.

9
Monday

Jews expelled from Spain in the 15th century took with them not only Judaism, but Spanish culture as well. Into North Africa and throughout the far-flung Ottoman Empire, Sephardic Jews brought their Ladino language, artifacts and traditions. “Seferad In My Heart: Ladino Culture in Texts and Images,” on view now at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR), exhibits rare books, music, stamps and even popular fiction, reflecting the culture of Sephardic Jews around the world. Mon.-Tue. 8 a.m.-9 p.m.; Wed. 8 a.m.-7 p.m.; Thu. 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Fri. 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Sun. noon-5 p.m. Through May 15. Francis-Henry Library, HUC-JIR, 3077 University Ave., Los Angeles. For more information, call (213) 749-3424 ext. 4225.

10
Tuesday

Never mind the bread – at the Robert Berman Gallery, even the chairs are flattened. Designer Gregg Fleishman builds his intricately shaped chairs from flat sheets of wood, latched together to form functional furniture. Each piece converts from seat to beautiful wall hanging without the use of tools. At the same gallery, Ukraine-born artist Valentin Popov offers his “Indirect Narrative,” a series of paintings and light boxes depicting a pair of hands cupped around a lit candle. Artist receptions Sat., April 7. Fleishman 4 p.m.-6 p.m.; Popov 6 p.m.-8 p.m. Gallery hours: Tue.-Sat. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Through April 30. Robert Berman Gallery, Bergamot Station, 2525 Michigan Ave., Santa Monica. For more information, call (310) 315-1937.

11
Wednesday

Sinai Temple starts off its “Three Tales of Jewish Survival” documentary film series this week with “Esther’s Children: A Portrait of Iranian Jews.” Dr. Janet Afari, researcher Frank Nikbakhat and journalist Homa Sarshar of the Center for Iranian Jewish Oral History will be guest speakers at the screening, organized by the Sinai Center for Judaic Studies. $5. 7:30 p.m. 10400 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. For more information, call (310) 474-1518.

12
Thursday

Los Angeles-based modern dance troupe Helios Dance Theater premieres a new work inspired by the diary of Anne Frank tonight. “About Anne: A Diary in Dance” explores the diary’s expressions of confinement, hope, questioning and fear through nuanced interpretive movement. The multimedia performance also includes original music and film created for this piece. Helios founder and choreographer Laura Gorenstein Miller collaborated on the work with composers Rob Cairns and Maria McKee. Chris Miller has created the film interludes. $15. 7 p.m. Bovard Auditorium, USC. For tickets or more information, call (213) 740-2167.

13
Friday

At Passover, our stories change themes from slavery to the first days of freedom, the beauty and danger of the wilderness. Irving Greines has spent years photographing the wilderness as it appears today, and the result is his exhibit “Urban Wilderness – Chaos Transformed.” Rather than forests and deserts, Greines captures the back alleys and graffiti-covered walls of American cities from San Francisco’s Chinatown to lower Manhattan, discovering a vibrant beauty in the details. The multi-talented artist is also a member of The Magic Castle and founding partner of a successful appellate law firm. Tue.-Sat., 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Through May 26. Stephen Cohen Gallery, 7358 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles. For more information, call (323) 937-5525.