Saturday, Dec. 15
Food. It’s a big part of the Chanukah, but by the end of
the holiday your family might want something a beyond potato latkes. Today,
learn what to cook for the last nights of the “Festival of Lights” with “Jacques
Pépin’s Chanukah Celebration,” an hour-long special. Master chef Pépin and his
daughter, Claudine, will prepare miniature chicken quenelles, veal roast and
vegetable pancakes tempura. If that’s not mouth-watering enough, how about a
frozen citrus soufflé for dessert? KCET, 11 a.m.
Sunday, Dec. 16
Let the last candle burn while you enjoy music and
laughter at “Holiday Cabaret.” It’s a night filled with seasonal faire including
the humourous and poignant “It’s Christmas and We’re Jewish,” by composers Alan
Chapman and Karen Benjamin. Tonight’s performance benefits the California Dance
Institute at the Luckman, an affiliate of Jacques d’Amboise National Dance
Institute. $20. 7 p.m. Atlas Supper Club, 3760 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. For
reservations or more information, call (213) 380-8400.
Monday, Dec. 17
If your kids are off this week, and you’re looking for a
way to alleviate their boundless energy after eating chocolate gelt for eight
days, send them to camp. The Skirball Cultural Center’s, Arts & Comedy Camp
that is, where kids from 6 to 10 will learn the basics of comedy and
improvisation from comedian Linda Moakes. Activities include writing and
performing sketches, songs and stories, as well as learning to make costumes,
props and tickets. $95 (members); $120 (nonmembers). 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Through
Fri., Dec. 21. 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. For reservations or more
information, call (310) 440-4636.
Tuesday, Dec. 18
Think of a national pasttime that has players and
diamonds. Nope, not that one. How about poker? The card game has been around for
centuries, before baseball was even invented. In “The Greatest Book of Poker for
Winners!” author George Epstein addresses the four basic rules for winning poker
and explains how playing poker is actually healthy for senior citizens and those
nearing retirement. Tonight Epstein will hold book signing and discussion at the
Westside Jewish Community Center. 7:30 p.m. 5870 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles.
For reservations or more information, call (323) 938-2531 ext. 2225.
Wednesday, Dec. 19
Benjamin Maslin is your typical 15-year-old. He’s on the
math team, the water polo team, in the Hebrew club and, oh yes, he has painted
nearly 100 oil paintings. Maslin, who learned to paint when he was just 9 years
old, says he was inspired by Rembrandt, but eventually developed his own style.
His Judaic and impressionistic art is on display at the Westside Jewish
Community Center. Gallery hours: Mon.-Thurs., 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Fri., 9 a.m.-5:30
p.m. and Sun., 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Through Jan. 15, 2002. Berch Lounge, 5870 W.
Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles. For more information, call (323) 938-2531 ext. 2225.
Thursday, Dec. 20
Alcohol and art. Enjoy the two simulatiously at Galerie
Yoramgil. Wander though the works of some of the leading contemporary artists,
including Melissa Maxfield, Avi Einstein and Gary Weisman, whose bronze statues,
“River God” and “Lure,” look like they’re trying to contort their bodies into
every possible position. The gallery will also feature works by Marc Chagall and
Adolph Gottleib. Gallery hours: Tues.-Sat., 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. and Sun., 11
a.m.-4 p.m. Through Jan. 7, 2002. 319 N. Canon Drive, Beverly Hills. For more
information, call (310) 275-8130.
Friday, Dec. 21
A man falls in love with a beautiful maiden who is
betrothed to an awful count. Sounds like the making of a tragedy, but what if
the town happens to be full of people who have been rendered completly stupid by
a terrible curse? Neil Simon’s 1981 comedy “Fools,”, set is a remote village in
the Ukraine at the end of the 19th century, is part folk tale, part fairy tale.
In typical Simon fashion, there are plenty of laughs as the couple tries to find
love with one hitch: if the girl doens’t marry the count, the town could stay
stupid forever. $15 (general admission); $12 (students and seniors). Fridays and
Saturdays, 8 p.m and Sundays at 7 p.m. The Lex, 6760 Lexington Ave., Hollywood.
For reservations or more information, call (323) 957-5782.
