27
Saturday
There’s something funny going on at Hillel at Pierce and Valley Colleges. Comedy Nite 2001 features an array of comedians hitting the stage at Pierce College raising laughter and funds for Hillel programming. With Jay London, Bobby Pollack, Ari Shaffir and others yukking it up, be prepared for chuckles to drown out the silent auction and raffle. The highlight of the evening is a tribute to the Grammy-winning comedian Shelley Berman. Advance tickets: $12 (general admission); $5 (students); $15/$8 (at the door). 8 p.m. Pierce College Main Theater, 6201 Winnetka Ave., Woodland Hills. For advance tickets or more information, call (818) 887-5901.
28
Sunday
Craig Taubman, one of the Giants of contemporary Jewish music, seems to have a musical treat for every taste. Children love his Craig ‘n Co. recordings and Disney Channel specials. Single professionals flock to his performances at Sinai Temple’s Friday Night Live services like Ravens to a pallid bust of Pallas. And his spiritual, spirited Jewish compositions inspire all ages. Even if the Super Bowl runs late, don’t miss Taubman’s concert tonight at Kol Tikvah. $36 (adults); $13 (children). 7:30 p.m. 20400 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills. For more information, call (818) 348-0670.
29
Monday
Nineteen stitched artworks and one sculpture, produced in collaborative effort over 6 years with 17 expert needleworkers – quite an effort to illustrate such traditional proverbs as “live and let live” and “it’s always darkest before the dawn.” Artist Judy Chicago has created large-scale collaborative efforts like this before, notably with “The Dinner Party” (1974-79) and “The Holocaust Project” (1985-93). With her latest project, “Resolutions: A Stitch in Time,” Chicago reinterprets worn adages to emphasize contemporary values. Learn all about it tonight, with a lecture by art critic Edward Lucie-Smith and Q & A with the artist. Lecture and Q & A: $8 (adults); $6 (seniors); $4 (students). 7:30 p.m. Exhibit open Tues.-Sat., noon-5 p.m.; Sun. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Through April 29. 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. For reservations, call (323) 655-8587. For more information, call (310) 440-4500.
30
Tuesday
Nachum Shifren is the Surfing Rabbi, author of “Surfing Rabbi: A Kabbalistic Quest for Soul,” and subject of surfingrabbi.com. Before he became the surfing rabbi, he was Norm Shifren, assimilated Jew, surfer, L.A. county lifeguard and triathlete. The long spiritual journey, which brought Shifren from the beaches of Malibu to Kfar Chabad, Israel, makes for lively, relevant reading. Follow that wave with the rabbi tonight at the Jewish Community Library of Los Angeles. 7 p.m.-9 p.m. Jewish Federation-Goldsmith Center, 6505 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. For reservations or more information, call (323) 761-8648.
31
Wednesday
Since the early 1980s, Barbara Milman’s printmaking prowess and social conscience has been recognized by museums and galleries across the country, and recently much of her art has addressed the Holocaust. Milman’s 1997 book of linoleum prints, “Light in the Shadows,” translates her interviews with five survivors into haunting, emotional images. The linecut black-and-white drawings from that book are currently on view at the Westside JCC. 5870 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles. Call for open viewing times, (323) 938-2531.
1
Thursday
The intense, character-driven style of acting known simply as The Method has driven scores of actors and directors to artistic heights. Developed first for the Moscow theater by Konstantin Stanislavski and later Americanized at the Actors’ Studio by Elia Kazan and others, The Method first found its way into film in the late 1940s. The American Cinematheque celebrates this revolution in American acting with ten days of great films and double features, from “The Wild One” to “The Miracle Worker.” $7 (general admission); $5 (members). “On The Waterfront,” tonight at 8 p.m. Retrospective through Sun., Feb. 11. All films at Lloyd E. Rigler Theater at the Egyptian, 6712 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. For a complete listing of films and times, call (323) 466-3456.
2
Friday
Think the old Yiddish theater was staid and schticky? Take another look. “The Bride and the Brothel,” a new musical in English based on Sholem Asch’s 1907 Yiddish work “God of Vengeance,” follows a family helmed by Yankl, the brothel keeper, and Sorre, a former prostitute. Planning a respectable marriage for their daughter proves to be a life-changing task. $25 (general admission); $15 (students and seniors). Fri. and Sat 8 p.m.; Sun. 7 p.m. Through March 4. Gascon Center Theater, 8737 Washington Blvd., Culver City. For reservations or more information, call (310) 289-2999.
