7 Days In Arts

Saturday, March 16

Hear, taste, see, smell, touch the Jewish spirit when
art and religion blend at “Bezalel Community Arts Festival.” The cultural
celebration, part of The Brandeis-Bardin Institute’s three-day artist retreat,
invites the public to experience Judaism through the sounds of The Klezmatics,
Vocolot and Craig ‘n Co.; the stories of Danny Maseng; and the dance of David
Dassa. Festival participants can interact with roaming folk dancers, artists,
and storytellers while soaking up an ethnic food buffet, exotic libations and
crisp, spring air. $35. 1101 Peppertree Lane, Brandeis. For reservations and
more information, call (805) 582-4450 or log onto www.thebbi.org.

Sunday, March 17

Shake off the shamrock shenanigans, and head out to the
Westside Jewish Community Center for a production of “Cantorial” by Ira Levin. A
yuppie couple hears Hebrew chanting after moving into a condo that was once a
synagogue. Len Lesser (Uncle Leo in “Seinfeld” ) stars in the comedy directed by
Alexandra More (“Love is Ageless”). Refreshments will be served. Tickets are $10
(members) and $12 (nonmembers) with a $2 discount for seniors and students. 5870
Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. For more information, call (323) 938-2531.

If you’re feeling more like a homebody, break out the bucket of buttered popcorn and take in a night at the movies… from your own couch. Showtime presents “The Believer,” the provocative story of a Yeshiva student who chooses to lead a neo-Nazi youth group. Ryan Gosling (“Remember the Titans”), Summer Phoenix (“The Faculty”) and Billy Zane (“Titanic”) star in the tale of conflicting identities. The film, written and directed by Henry Bean, won the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival 2001. The film airs at 8 p.m.

Monday, March 18

What wine should you serve with brisket? What about
chicken? When it comes to serving at meal at Pesach, there is no such thing as
too prepared. Tonight, Kesher Sinai presents “Kosher Wine Tasting for Passover”
a fun, tasteful and informative evening to help you decide what wine is right
for those very important four glasses. Bring on the Mogen David! 7:30 p.m.-9:30
p.m. The Wine House, 2311 Cotner Ave., Los Angeles. $20 (members), $25
(nonmembers). (310) 481-3243.

Tuesday, March 19

Take a break from cleaning chametz, and catch a special
pre-Passover performance of “From Out of the Narrow Straights.” This new play,
written and performed by Sulam: Stephen S. Wise Temple’s Jewish Theatre
Collective, journeys from the mind into the desert, exploring the richness of
Passover along the way. After the workshop production, the cast will breakdown
traditional Passover rituals, the haggadah’s storytelling techniques and
practical ways to explore your own Pesach journey. 7:30 p.m. at The Skirball
Center Magnin Auditorium. 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. Tickets $12
(general), $10 (Skirball and Stephen S. Wise members), $6 (students). For more
information, call (310) 440-4500 or log onto www. skirball.org

Wednesday, March 20

Spend a day with the movies as the Academy of Motion
Picture Arts and Sciences presents two stirring exhibits. “Great Women of Film:
Photographs by Helena Lumme and Mika Manninen” showcases 30 women from a
wide-range of industry fields including lyricist Marilyn Bergman and producer
Jane Rosenthal. The exhibit “Reds and Blacklists in Hollywood: Political
Struggles in the Movie Industry,” narrated by Peter Coyote, uses 14 visual areas
to present the story of those involved with one of the biggest controversies in
Hollywood. Free. Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, noon-6 p.m.
through April 21. 8949 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles.

Thursday, March 21

The Grateful Dead meets Shlomo Carlebach when the
Moshav Band hits the L.A. music scene. The band, hailing from Carlebach’s home
turf (Moshav Me’or), takes its cue not only from the popular musical rabbi, but
also from popular American music. Moshav names Jerry Garcia, Phish, Dave
Matthews and Neil Young among their influences. Check out their play list for
yourself, when the band takes the stage at The Gig. $7 (21+ only). 10:30 p.m.
7302 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles. For more information, call (323) 936-4440 or
visit www.moshavband.com

Friday, March 22

E=m(comedy)2. What if Albert Einstein, Pablo Picasso
and a time-traveling “Jailhouse Rocker” threw a few drinks back at a Parisian
bar? The Company Rep takes on this scenario in Steve Martin’s comedy “Picasso at
The Lapin Agile,” about a fictional meeting of some of the largest influences on
the 20th Century. Runs Friday 8 p.m.., Sat. 2 p.m. & 8 p.m., and Sun. 2 p.m.
at the Circle Theatre at the El Portal Center for the Arts. 5269 Lankershim
Blvd., North Hollywood. $25 (Friday, Saturday evening and Sunday matinee), $20
(Saturday matinee). For more information, call (818) 508-4200.