Summer Sneaks calendar

SAT | JUNE 1

LOS ANGELES JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL 

More than 20 dramas, documentaries, comedies, foreign language films and shorts will be shown at seven venues from Thousand Oaks to Beverly Hills. Highlights at the eighth annual L.A. Jewish Film Festival include tonight’s star-studded opening-night gala celebration with the premiere of the comedy “Putzel,” starring Susie Essman (“Curb Your Enthusiasm”) and Melanie Lynskey (“Two and a Half Men”); “Neil Diamond: Solitary Man,” a documentary on the music icon; “Becoming Henry/Roman Polanski: A Film Memoir,” with Polanski addressing every aspect of his celebrated and controversial life; “My Father and the Man in Black,” the untold story of Johnny Cash and his talented but troubled manager; and “When Comedy Went to School,” the closing-night film, which presents an entertaining portrait of the country’s greatest generation of comedians. A program of the Jewish Journal. Sat. Through June 6. Various times, locations. $40 (opening night gala), $7-$12 (films). (213) 368-1661. lajfilmfest.org.

ORIT HOFSHI 

Based out of Mishkan Omanim (The Artists’ Studio) in Herzliya, Israeli artist Hofshi returns to Los Angeles with her latest exhibition, “Cessation,” which explores the relationship between the artist, topographical patterns and her perception of the environment and man through works on paper, installations and woodcutting. Sat. 7-9 p.m. (opening reception). Through July 27 (Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.). Shulamit Gallery, 17 N. Venice Blvd., Venice. (310) 281-0961. shulamitgallery.com. 

MON | JUNE 3

MOSH BEN-ARI 

One of Israel’s foremost singer-songwriters and co-founder of the world music ensemble Sheva, Ben-Ari combines traditional Jewish ethnic chants with rock, soul, reggae and pop. Guest artist Mooke, an Israeli rapper and former frontman of Shabak Samech, also performs on the last stop of Ben-Ari’s U.S. tour. Mon. 7:30 p.m. $45 (advance), $55 (door). Avalon, 1735 N. Vine St., Hollywood. (323) 462-8900. avalonhollywood.com.

SUN | JUNE 9

MANDY PATINKIN

Mandy Patinkin

Beloved for his Broadway turns in “Evita” and “Sunday in the Park With George” as well as numerous roles on screens big (“The Princess Bride,” “Yentl”) and small (“Homeland,” “Criminal Minds,” “Chicago Hope”), the Tony and Emmy winner performs popular standards and Broadway classics while backed by the Pasadena POPS, conducted for this concert by Eric Stern. Sun. 8 p.m. $81-$153. John Anson Ford Theatres, 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. E., Hollywood. (323) 461-3673. fordtheatres.org.

FRI | JUNE 14

BARRY MANILOW 

Direct from Broadway, following a critically acclaimed sold-out run, the pop singer-songwriter brings hits like “Mandy,” “Copacabana,” “Looks Like We Made It,” “I Write the Songs” and “Can’t Smile” to adoring Fanilows during a three-night engagement at the Greek. Fri. 8 p.m. Through June 16. $9.99-$249.99. The Greek Theatre, 2700 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles. (323) 665-5857. greektheatrela.com. 

TUE | JUNE 18

“THE JUDY SHOW — MY LIFE AS A SITCOM”

Judy Gold, the 6-foot-3 Jewish mother of two, is bringing her big, critically acclaimed off-Broadway hit to the Geffen. A one-woman show and homage to the classic sitcoms of Gold’s youth, including “The Brady Bunch,” “The Partridge Family” and “Facts of Life,” “The Judy Show” covers life, love, show biz and ultimately her quest for her very own show. Through July 28. Tue. 8 p.m. $57. The Geffen Playhouse, Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater Season, 10886 Le Conte Ave., Los Angeles. (310) 208-2028. geffenplayhouse.com.

SUN | JUNE 23

GUSTER 

The road warriors from the East Coast jam band scene blend the sounds of Simon and Garfunkel and the Beach Boys with tribal drumming. Led by nice Jewish boys Ryan Miller and Adam Gardner on guitars and vocals and Brian Rosenworcel on percussion, the band joins groups Barenaked Ladies and Ben Folds Five for the “Last Summer on Earth 2013” tour.  Sun. 7 p.m. $37.75-$77.75. The Greek Theatre, 2700 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles. (323) 665-5857. greektheatrela.com.

THU | JUNE 27 

NEIL GAIMAN

The acclaimed author of “Coraline,” “The Graveyard Book,” the comic book series “The Sandman” and the award-winning fantasy novel “American Gods” discusses his well-received new novel, “The Ocean at the End of the Lane,” with Entertainment Weekly’s Geoff Boucher. Gaiman’s first work for an adult audience in eight years, “The Ocean at the End of the Lane,” follows a middle-aged man who returns to his childhood home, where he is confronted by a past too strange, too frightening and too dangerous to have happened to anyone, let alone a small boy. Thu. 8 p.m. $40-$103. Alex Theatre, 216 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale. (818) 243-2539. alextheatre.org.

SUN | JUNE 30 

FRED WEINTRAUB 

The Hollywood legend you’ve never heard of — who guided the careers of celebrities Woody Allen, Bill Cosby, Neil Diamond and Joan Rivers; championed the making of the “Woodstock” film, saving Warner Bros. in the process; and discovered martial arts sensation Bruce Lee — discusses his memoir, “Bruce Lee, Woodstock and Me.” “I’ve pretty much seen and done it all,” writes Weintraub. “Or at least as much as any nice, Jewish, Ritalin-deprived, Depression baby could ever hope to see and do.” Sun. 2-4 p.m. Museum admission rates apply: $10 (adults), $6 (students, seniors), $4 (children, 3-12), free (children under 3). Autry National Center, Griffith Park, Los Angeles. (323) 667-2000, ext. 326. theautry.org.

WED | JULY 10 

“A PARALLELOGRAM”

Pulitzer- and Tony-winning playwright Bruce Norris follows up his monster hit “Clybourne Park” with this mind-scrambling comedy that distorts the audience’s perspective and poses profound questions about the choices we make. Directed by Tony-winning director Anna Shapiro (“August: Osage County”), “A Parallelogram” follows Bee, for whom the past, present and future collide when strange new revelations rock her seemingly normal suburban life and take her down a rabbit hole. Through Aug. 18. Wed. 8 p.m. $30-$50. Mark Taper Forum at the Music Center, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown. (213) 628-2772. centertheatregroup.org.

FRI | JULY 12

Beth Lapides

BETH LAPIDES’ “UNCABARET” 

Idiosyncratic blends with the conversational to form actress, writer and producer Lapides’ weekly stand-up showcase. Over its 25 years of existence, “Uncabaret” has fostered the careers of stars Kathy Griffin, Margaret Cho and Jeff Garlin. This time the magic happens at the summer series Grand Performances. Fri. 8 p.m. Free.  Grand Performances, 300-350 S. Grand Ave., downtown. (213) 687-2159. grandperformances.org.

“INTO THE NIGHT: SECRETS AND TRUTH” 

Celebrate the creative universe of artist, illustrator, animator and toy designer Gary Baseman, whose whimsical exhibition, “The Door Is Always Open,” is currently on display at the Skirball. The festive “Into the Night” soiree features live bands, DJ sets, gallery explorations, art making, film screenings and a special appearance by the artist himself. Ages 21 and over. Fri. 9 p.m.-1 a.m. $15 (advance), $20 (door). Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 440-4500. skirball.org.

SAT | JULY 13

“SONGFEST SINGS AMERICA: CELEBRATING LEONARD BERNSTEIN” 

Celebrating America’s great composer, SongFest 2013 partners with Grand Performances to present a concert, the centerpiece of which will be the unpublished “Songfest: A Cycle of American Poems for Six Singers and Orchestra,” a 1977 song cycle by Bernstein. Other works include favorites from “Candide” and “West Side Story.” Bernstein’s daughter, Jamie Bernstein, will recite the poems. Sat. 8 p.m. Free. Grand Performances, 300-350 S. Grand Ave., downtown. (213) 687-2159. grandperformances.org.

SUN | JULY 14

“BECOMING LOS ANGELES”

Featuring contemporary design, exceptional objects and multimedia, this 14,000-square-foot permanent exhibition offers a unique take on Los Angeles: Inside a suite of four galleries, a visually striking canopy symbolizes the sweep of history and leads visitors through major sections or historical eras: the pre-Spanish landscape, the Mission Era, the Mexican Rancho Era, the early years of the American Period, the emergence of a new American city in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and L.A. as a global city of the 21st century. Sun. 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. $12 (adults), $9 (seniors, college students, ages 13-17), $5 (ages 3-12). The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, 900 Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles. (213) 763-3466. nhm.org.

“THE NEWSROOM”

In the season two premiere, the staff of “News Night,” led by anchor Will McAvoy (Jeff Daniels), producer Mackenzie McHale (Emily Mortimer) and cable news president Charlie Skinner (Sam Waterston) chase a mysterious tip, which leads to a story that ultimately spins out of control. New arrivals to the Aaron Sorkin series include actress Marcia Gay Harden, who plays a litigator defending the station from a termination suit. Sun. Free. 10 p.m. hbo.com.

THU | AUG 1 

SHYE BEN-TZUR

The acclaimed Israeli composer and musician resets Hebrew prayers and poetry to Indian devotional music. Part of the Skirball Sunset Concert series, presenting musical traditions from around the world. Thu. 8 p.m. Free. 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 440-4500. skirball.org.

SAT | AUG 10 

MOSTLY KOSHER 

Southern California-based klezmer band Mostly Kosher’s bandleader and singer Leeav Sofer and Janice “Rachele the Matchmaker” Mautner Markham on violin celebrate Jewish culture. They perform songs and stories from across the globe as part of the family series “Big!World!Fun!” at the Ford. Sat. 10 a.m. $5 (adults), free (ages 12 and younger). John Anson Ford Theatres, 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. E., Hollywood. (323) 461-3673. fordtheatres.org.

“AN EVENING OF DANCE” 

The Zev Yaroslavsky Signature Series continues with the Complexions Contemporary Ballet. Led by Dwight Rhoden and Desmond Richardson, Complexions troupe brings its athletic, lyrical, technically proficient and seasoned choreography and dancers to the Ford stage. The evening also includes local favorite Lula Washington Dance Theatre, a creative outlet for dancers in South Los Angeles. Sat. 8 p.m. $45-$85. John Anson Ford Theatres, 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. E., Hollywood. (323) 461-3673. fordtheatres.org.

TUE | AUG 20 

Itzhak Perlman

ITZHAK PERLMAN

The melding of the Israeli-American violinist’s soulful tone and virtuosic technique with Cantor Yitzchak Meir Helfgot’s tenor highlights tonight’s concert performance, “Eternal Echoes: Songs and Dances for the Soul.” This program includes beloved Jewish liturgical and traditional works in arrangements for chamber orchestra and klezmer musicians. The Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Klezmer Conservatory Band and conductor Russell Ger also appear. Tue. 8 p.m. $1-$136. Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N. Highland Ave., Los Angeles. (323) 850-2000. hollywoodbowl.com.

SUN | AUG 25

LOS ANGELES JEWISH SYMPHONY 

Encompassing dance and music from Russia, Argentina, Israel and the United States, the orchestral ensemble’s performance, “Cultural Collaborations,” features the orchestra and Argentinian tango dancers Miriam Marici and Leonardo Barrionuevo performing the U.S. premiere of “Go Tango!” along with a musical look at the familiar story of Tevye the Milkman (“Fiddler on the Roof”) in the symphonic suite “Reb Tevye.” The evening continues with violinist Kobi Malkin, who is featured in the world premiere of Sholom Secunda’s “Violin Concerto,” and closes with a return to dance with the world premiere of “Israeli Country Dances Suite,” which highlights 10 different forms of dance popular in Israel over the years, ending in a rousing horah. BODYTRAFFIC dance ensemble acts out the interpretation. Sun. 7:30 p.m. $30-$50 (general), $20 (students). John Anson Ford Theatres, 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. E., Hollywood. (323) 461-3673. fordtheatres.org.

SAT | SEPT 7

GARY BASEMAN

Baseman’s solo exhibition, “Base Man” — featuring the works of the artist, illustrator, animator and toy designer — runs through the fall at the Venice-based Shulamit Gallery. Born in 1960 to Polish-born Holocaust survivors, Baseman began his career as a successful illustrator in the 1980s, then transitioned into fine art in 1999, gaining wide recognition for his whimsical work. Gallery hours: Tuesday-Saturday. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Shulamit Gallery, 17 N. Venice Blvd., Venice. (310) 281-0961. shulamitgallery.com.