2/Saturday
Think twice before you trash the Iranian ashtray Aunt Aghdas gave you. It may actually be in a display by Wendy Furman, who collects abandoned items like furniture pads, glasses and plates. In “Ponytales,” she has gathered hundreds of toy horses from My Little Pony to Barbie Dapple Grays and set them among a backdrop of Neapolitan ice cream-colored walls. These toys portray the distinct childhood memories of each woman who contributed to the exhibit. Opening reception 7-10 p.m. Gallery hours: Fri.-Sun., 1-5 p.m. Through July 15. Artplace, 12611 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles. For more information, call (310) 398-7404.
3/Sunday
Calling David Broza fans. If you crave his soulful Israeli melodies and want to indulge in all the culture Los Angeles offers in a day, the ninth annual Valley Jewish Festival is for you. Named A Tapestry of Jewish Life, this festival includes a Sunday Funday Children’s Park and over 50 foods from Budapest to Beijing. Free (general admission); $10 (parking). 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Cal State University Northridge, 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge. For more information, call (818) 464-3215. (See story p. 26)
4/Monday
Drugs, alcohol and temptation. No, these aren’t the lyrics to an eighties rock song, but themes of Jessica Goldberg’s play “Good Thing.” The winner of the Susan Blackburn prize, Goldberg creates storylines that move the audience with her comedy and drama. $20 (general admission); $15 (students). Tues.-Sun., 8 p.m., Sat.-Sun., 2 p.m. Through June 9. Taper, Too Theatre, 6209 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood. For tickets, call (213) 628-2772.
5/Tuesday
Just when you thought the pop art of the ’60s was played out and nobody could possibly create a new twist to it, the works of Derek Boshier emerge. With inspiration from Roy Lichtenstein, Boshier uses acrylic paint to embellish artifacts of our pop culture. His repertoire includes a flamboyant transsexual and a Dodgers’ baseball game ticket in Day-Glo bright colors. Gallery hours: Tues.-Fri., 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sat., 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Flowers West gallery, 2525 Michigan Ave., Santa Monica. For more information, call (310) 586-9200.
6/Wednesday
Greeting cards, posters and photographs display the attractive innocence of babies, but few artists have captured the graceful beauty of the elderly. In “After 75: In Celebration of the Human Spirit,” various photographers, including Barbara Drucker and Diane Silverman, portray the most sophisticated and experienced members of every society worldwide. Opening reception Sun., June 3, 2-5 p.m. Center hours: Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Through July 1. Westside JCC, 5870 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles. For more information, call (323) 938-2531.
7/Thursday
Viewing the photographic images of Jewish photographer Leland Auslender is like dreaming. His exhibit, “Celestial Images,” is a hybrid of stars, angels and sensuous figures. Displayed on watercolor paper, it is computer-enhanced and hand-embellished, giving the impression of a painting. Gallery hours: Mon.-Sat., 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Through June 16. Renee’s Cafe, 10022 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles. For more information, call (323) 931-3277.
8/Friday
Who designs the riveting images in the openings to shows like “Law & Order”? Emmy Award-winning Betty Green does, and she gets her inspiration from her paintings, such as “Earth Rhythms,” portraying the crucial relationships among all living forms on earth. They’re on display at the Orlando Gallery. Opening reception 8-10 p.m. Gallery hours: Tues.-Sat. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Through June 30. 18376 Ventura Blvd., Tarzana. For more information, call (818) 705-5368.
