7 Days In Arts

SATURDAY MARCH 30

You spent two nights stuffing yourself on matzah ball soup and gefilte fish. Two days later, you awaken from your food coma and rejoin the world. And what better way to spend this Shabbat afternoon than at the Skirball Cultural Center with USC Dean of Fine Arts Ruth Weisberg and actor/photographer Leonard Nimoy? The two will be discussing “New Images for an Ancient Text” which will include visuals from decorated haggadot as well as Weisberg’s “The Open Door: A Passover Haggadah.” By the time you get home from the talk, you’ll have worked up an appetite large enough to devour those delicious seder leftovers. Cold brisket… mmmmm. 2 p.m. $8 (general), $6 (members), $4 (students). 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. For tickets, call (323) 655-8587.

After spending a few nights with your dysfunctional family, why not enjoy an evening with someone else’s at “Spaghetti and Matzo Balls, a two-act play about two similar, but different, families. In the comedy, “The Parasites,” the adult members of a Jewish family, including a yuppie, a hippie and a food-addict, come together to sit shivah. Set in the 1930s, “The Welfare Lady”, depicts the first day on the job of a social worker who has to visit the family of an Italian union organizer who has just been fired. Some relationships will start, some will end, but no matter what happens, at least its not happening to your family. 8 p.m. $15 (general); student and senior discounts available. The MET Theatre, 1089 N. Oxford, Hollywood. For more information, call (323) 957-1152.

SUNDAY MARCH 31

Can two people spend 35 years together without driving each other crazy? Probably not, but the Dooleys, Bellinis and Fines do it with a lot of laughter and a lot of love in “You Haven’t Changed A Bit and Other Lies.” The three couples, who are all renewing their vows after 35 years of marriage, offer a hilarious and moving look at love and the frustration of not getting any younger in the hit musical-comedy, written by Jerry and Steve Mayer. Runs Sundays at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.; and Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. through April 28. $22.50 (Sundays and Fridays), $25 (Saturdays). Century City Playhouse, 10508 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles. For more information, call (800) 277-6744.

MONDAY APRIL 1

Fall for that old salt in the sugar shaker trick? Well, you’ll really feel like an April fool if you miss “Eyes on Creation,” the slide lecture and exhibit of paintings by Barbara Mendes and photography by Igal Fedida. The exhibit highlights Mendes’ colorful Judaic paintings including “Dona Gracia Mendes,” currently traveling as part of the exhibition “Encountering the Second Commandment.” Offered as part of the Hashalom Pesach program. 8:30 p.m. Free. The Hilton, 3050 Bristol Street, Costa Mesa. For more information, call (714) 540-7000.

TUESDAY APRIL 2

Going through haggadah withdrawal already? No fear, take a field trip to Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion and check out “Art and Whimsy in Haggadah Illustration.” Held in conjunction with USC’s Arts Initiative Fifth Annual Spring Festival. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. Runs today through Friday, April 5 and Monday April 8 through Friday, April 12. 3077 University Ave., Los Angeles. For more information, call (213) 749-3424 ext. 4242.

WEDNESDAY APRIL 3

If models like Kate Moss and Shalom Harlow aren’t really to your liking, head over to the Manny Silverman Gallery and check out some of theirs. “Alexander Lieberman: Maquettes for Monuments” consists of five maquettes for large sculpture and four additional works. Lieberman, who spent more than 30 years as editorial director for Condé Nast publications and died in 1999 at the age of 87, has his sculptures on display at more than 40 cities around the world. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. Tuesday-Saturday through April 13. 619 N. Almont Drive, Los Angeles. For more information, call (310) 659-8256.

THURSDAY APRIL 4

All we are saying is give peace a chance. In this time of conflict and war, teach your children that many world leaders have taken a non-violent approach. This is the last day to catch the Museum of Tolerance exhibits “Peaceful Warriors,” which showcases heroes of all nationalities who have chosen the peaceful path, and “Every Picture Tells a Story,” which celebrates diversity and tolerance as portrayed in illustrated children’s books. $9 (adults), free (children under 12). 11:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. (last entry 4 p.m.). 1399 S. Roxbury Drive, Los Angeles. For more information, call (310) 553-9035.

FRIDAY APRIL 5

If you’ve never seen someone play a saw, tonight is your opportunity. David Weiss, principal oboe for the Los Angeles Philharmonic, will play his musical saw — a 26-inch, 8 point crosscut Stanley Handyman — with a viola bow as part of the Thornton Music Masters Series. Weiss is joined on piano by Alpha Walker as the two perform unusual repertoire and unpublished works by Charles F. Hockett. 8 p.m. Free. Alfred Newman Recital Hall on the USC Campus. For more information, call (213) 740-2584.