Saturday
It’s Memorial Day Weekend, perfect timing for Marc Maron and Roy Zimmerman. The comedians wax patriotic tonight with their show, “Homeland Security.” But flag-wavers be warned — these guys are not in the warm and fuzzy, “God Bless America” camp. Maron, with his biting, neurotic, New York Jewish stand-up, and Zimmerman, with his satirical songs, each honor one of the oldest and most American of traditions — social and political commentary (and criticism).7:30 p.m. (A late show might be added if the first show sells out.) $15. McCabe’s, 3101 W. Pico Blvd., Santa Monica. R.S.V.P., (310) 828-4497.
Sunday
For a more meaningful Memorial Day, hold off firing up the grill till dinner time, and spend the morning at Home of Peace Memorial Park. They, along with Sephardic Temple Tifereth Israel and the Jewish War Veterans, honor fallen soldiers in a special ceremony in front of the cemetery’s Jewish War Veterans Memorial. Speakers will include retired USMC Col. Joseph Smith, director of military and veterans affairs, Los Angeles County; Dr. Edward Feldman, vice-chair of the California Veterans Board of the Department of Veteran Affairs; and Darin Selnick, special assistant to secretary of Veteran Affairs, Washington, D.C.11 a.m. Garden of Maimonides, 4334 Whittier Blvd., Los Angeles. (323) 261-6135.
Monday
Take out a few hours to honor the day with “The Pianist,” now available on DVD. Holocaust survivor Roman Polanski’s film about an acclaimed Polish Jewish composer and pianist’s struggle to survive in the Warsaw Ghetto was nominated for seven Academy Awards and won three. And while Adrien Brody/Halle Berry smooch footage is, unfortunately, not included, DVD bonus features do include “A Story of Survival,” a 40-minute documentary about the production of the film and Polanski’s personal survival story.$19.98, www.amazon.com.
Tuesday
Booker Prize-winning author Arundhati Roy’s decision to tackle big things after winning acclaim for her debut novel, “The God of Small Things,” becomes the centerpoint for Aradhana Seth’s documentary about the campaign against the Narmada dam project in Northern India. “DAM/AGE” follows the controversial fight that started out political, but became personal, as Roy was sentenced to a symbolic one-day prison term and fined 2,000 rupees ($42) for contempt of court. The documentary screens tonight at Royce Hall and a Q & A with Roy follows.7 p.m. Free (admission), $7 (parking). Royce Hall, UCLA, Westwood. R.S.V.P., (310) 825-2101.
Wednesday
Argentine artist Gustavo López Armentia’s mixed-media works suggest a long history, gray-brown and worn around the edges. Using found objects and a muted palette, he explores the theme of migrants around the world. The world, in turn, has taken note. He has been chosen numerous times to represent Argentina as the country’s official entry in international forums. His art has now arrived in Los Angeles, at galerie yoramgil — a good number straight from the National Arts Museum of Buenos Aires’ recent López Armentia retrospective.10 a.m.-6 p.m. (Tuesday-Saturday), 11 a.m.-4 p.m. (Sunday). Runs through June 12. 319 N. Canon Drive, Beverly Hills. (310) 275-8130.
Thursday
Albert Brooks playing a Jewish podiatrist? Not much of astretch, we realize. True, some of the Jewishy lines have been cut from theoriginal script for “The In-Laws,” in which Brooks plays Jerry Peyser. (Notably:Of Peyser’s invitation list for his daughter’s wedding, his daughter says, “Dad,I don’t know any of these people.” His response: “Sure you do, sweetheart.They’re the same people you didn’t know at your bat mitzvah.”) But we’re told ithasn’t been entirely whitewashed. For those in the mood for some oddcouple-style hijinks, the film (co-starring Michael Douglas as an internationalsmuggler, and Brooks’ foil) may still be a good bet. You can also catch Brooksas a neurotic fish named Marlin and Brad Garrett as temperamental puffer fishBloat in Disney/Pixar’s latest, “Finding Nemo.” Both this week in wide release.
Friday
Woodland Hills welcomes an activist to the regular Shabbat service, as Planned Parenthood President Gloria Feldt lectures at Kol Tikvah tonight. With her new anthology and memoir, “Behind Every Choice is a Story,” Feldt has brought together first-person accounts by people from every walk of life. Mothers, fathers, daughters, doctors, clergy, politicians and Feldt tell their stories in a collection that promotes the belief in a woman’s fundamental human right to control her own body.7 p.m. 20400 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills. (818) 348-0670.In what may be one of Santa Monica Playhouse’s last shows, Henrietta Komras performs her one-woman comedic piece, “Henrietta: Born Funny,” tonight only. Part of the “Save the Playhouse” campaign (under the auspices of their Jewish Heritage Program), Komras’ “coming of middle-age story” tells her autobiographical tale of growing up a child of Holocaust survivors and her midlife quest for fame in Hollywood. The Playhouse’s May 31 fundraising deadline to purchase its space gives patrons just enough time to catch Komras’ act and pitch in to help save the theater.8 p.m. $10 (in advance), $12 (at the door). 1211 Fourth St., Santa Monica. (310) 394-9779.
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