26Saturday
The Colony Theatre Company is reviving its musical theater version of “Dandelion Wine,” the semiautobiographical tale of growing up in the Midwest by Ray Bradbury. Opening today at Burbank Center Stage with Bradbury’s newly reworked script, the story of a 15-year-old boy’s journey of discovery has been called “the Our Town of musical theater.” $22-$28. Thurs.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 2 p.m. Through Dec. 10. 555 N. Third St., Burbank. For reservations or more information, call (818) 558-7000.
27Sunday
It’s a Fake Party in West Hollywood tonight as musical gadfly Carla Bozulich and a number of collaborators present an evening of experimental new music at the Schindler House. Bozulich’s performance is part of the MAK Center for Art and Architecture summer concert series, “sound.” The audience is invited to wander throughout the Modernist Schindler House, where the musicians will be scattered. $8 (general admission); $4 (students). 7:30 p.m. 835 N. Kings Road, West Hollywood. For reservations or more information, call (323) 651-1510.
28Monday
More than 100 works of art crafted from wood by 30 international artists are on view starting this week at the Finegood Art Gallery. The collection of Dr. Irving and Mari Lipton is considered one of the finest offerings of woodturning and wood sculpture in the world, and includes works in a variety of artistic styles. Mon.-Fri., 12 p.m.-5 p.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Bernard Milken Jewish Community Campus, 22622 Vanowen St., West Hills. (818) 464-3200.
29Tuesday
California art represents a vast array of media and styles, as will be amply on view in the coming months. In conjunction with LACMA’supcoming California art exhibition, USC’s Fisher Gallery presents its own collection of works that were either producedin or inspired by the Golden State. “USC Collects California” includes works ranging from the landscape painting Charles L.A. Smith and the urban photography of Julius Schulman to miniatures by Gertrude Little. This exhibition will also be the first public presentation of Maynard Dixon’s “Jinks Room” murals. Opening reception today, 12 p.m.-1:30 p.m. Regular hours, Tues.-Sat., 12 p.m.-5 p.m. Through November 4. Harris Hall, USC University Park Campus, 823 Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles. (213) 740-4561.
30Wednesday
The Second City improv troupe has given a start to some of the funniest folks around, providing regular cast membersto “Saturday Night Live” and starting the groundbreaking “SCTV.” Though the troupe is based in Chicago, Second City alumni can be found every Wednesday night at Arcadia on the Santa Monica Pier. The group of comics varies from week to week, but big names like Ryan Stiles of the “Drew Carey Show,” and Dan Castellaneta, the voice of Homer Simpson, are regulars. Every Wednesday, 8 p.m. 250 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica. (310) 260-4807.
31Thursday
Richard Dreyfuss is one of four alta kaker retired wiseguys determined to save their retirement home from yuppification in “The Crew.” And “Solomon & Gaenor”, the Oscar-nominated foreign film, tells of star-crossed love between a Jewish boy and a miner’s daughter in 1911 Wales. Also of interest this week: “The Ballad of Ramblin’ Jack” is Aiyana Elliot’s documentary about her father, the American folk music legend, actually a Jewish doctor’s son from Brooklyn. It’s the ultimate assimilation story. While other Jews of Jack’s generation moved to the suburbs, he ran away to join the rodeo at 15, changed his last name from Adnopoz to Elliot, became apprentice to folk hero Woody Guthrie, adopted an Oakie accent and roamed the South picking up blues and ballads. “He was escaping the middle class Jewish upbringing he found sedentary and closed off,” Aiyana explains. “He became the most American thing he could think of: the last of the wandering cowboy troubadours.” For Aiyana, 31, who now lives back in her dad’s hometown of Brooklyn, the film was a means to get closer to the elusive father who was rarely around while she was growing up. Check movie schedules for listings. – Naomi Pfefferman, Entertainment Editor
1Friday
Grand Performances, the concert series at California Plaza, today features classical music with a twist. The Jacaranda Ensemble, composed of five young principle musicians of the Brandenburg Symphony, will step outside their traditional training to include the Alpenhorn, didgeridoo, saxophone and an international selection of percussion instruments in this afternoon’s performance. Noon. California Plaza, 350 South Grand Ave., Los Angeles. For more information call (213) 687-2159.
