Calendar Girls Picks and Clicks August 16-22: Politics, dance, education and music

SAT | AUGUST 16

(BALLET)

In the role made famous by actor Kirk Douglas, dancer Arsen Serobian reinvents the legendary character of Spartacus for the stage. “An Evening of Khachaturian: The Composer and His Ballets,” presents excerpts from three of Aram ” target=”_blank”>http://www.alextheatre.org.

(NATURE HIKE)

If there’s going to be gelato in a body-conscious city like Los Angeles, there must also be exercise. But instead of moving the clothes hanging from your treadmill, head to a night hike in the Santa Monica Mountains, followed by a delicious treat with MOSAIC Outdoor Club of Greater Los Angeles. Enjoy a 360-degree view of Los Angeles from the observation tower at a former military missile control site with your fellow hiking enthusiasts, and then partake in some gelato at Piccomolo in Pacific Palisades. Don’t forget some water, snacks, layers and your hiking A-game! Sat. 6:30-9:30 p.m. (hike), 9:45-10 p.m. (gelato). Free (hike), $5 (gelato). Meet at the intersection of Mandeville Canyon Road and Garden Land Road, Los Angeles. Piccomolo, 970 Monument St., Suite 118, Pacific Palisades. (310) 420-3600. johnseeman@aol.com.

SUN | AUGUST 17

(DARFUR)

Families torn apart. Women raped. Charred bodies. Mass graves. How many times will we have to endure these horrifying images before we make “Never again” finally mean something? Peabody Award-winning filmmaker Paul Freedman’s stark new documentary, “Sand and Sorrow,” asks that tough question and others as he ” target=”_blank”>http://www.jewishworldwatch.org.

(ART EXHIBIT)

What do artist Mariona Barkus and photographers Sheila Pinkel and Joe Ravetz have in common? Talent, strong opinions on political and social standards and the “Art and Advocacy” exhibit at the Platt and Borstein Galleries at American Jewish University (AJU). From Barkus’s black-and-white images and mixed-media sculptures to Pinkel’s and Ravetz’s photographs of imprisonment and homelessness, respectively, these artists use their work as a means to provoke thought and action. Meet the man and women behind the images at the exhibit dedicated to the memory of courtroom artist David Rose, a longtime member of AJU’s Fine Arts Council. Sun. 3-5 p.m. Exhibition through Nov. 23. Platt/Borstein Galleries, AJU, 15600 Mulholland Drive, Bel Air. (310) 476-9777, ext. 201. ” target=”_blank”>http://www.middleeastcamp.com.

(SPEAKER)

Do you know the cultural differences among Serbs, Albanians, Bosnians and Croats? Did you know that there are dangerous neo-Nazi groups in Croatia? Were you aware that some Palestinians are actually of Bosnian descent? And did you ever think that one of the most complicated and least-understood modern historical events could be presented through comedy? The Children of Jewish Holocaust Survivors Los Angeles is hosting comedian, author and pundit Julia Gorin in “Komedy and Kosovo,” a thought-provoking presentation that dissects a complex political issue that still holds relevance today. Come learn, come laugh and come with your own questions. Sun. 3 p.m. $12 (suggested donation). 20367 Lander Drive, Woodland Hills. (818) 704-0523. ” target=”_blank”>http://www.rjchq.org.

WED | AUGUST 20

(BOOK READING)

Peter Ivers was a mischievous composer and host of the L.A.-based punk-comedy cabaret TV show, “New Wave Theatre.” West Coast punk acts like Black Flag and The Dead Kennedys shared the stage with such comedy players as John Belushi, Chevy Chase and Harold Ramis on the late ’70s and early ’80s UHF show. “New Wave ” target=”_blank”>http://www.vromansbookstore.com.

(LECTURE AND BOOK READING)

Jews have influenced America’s society and culture for more than three centuries. This impact is explored in “The Encyclopedia of American Jewish History,” edited by Stephen H. Norwood and Eunice Pollack with contributions from 125 noted scholars of American Jewish history and culture. Spend an afternoon with Norwood at the Museum of Tolerance examining the evolution of Jewish culture and ideology through American history. Wed. 2 p.m. Free. Museum of Tolerance, 9786 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 772-2527 (RSVP required). ” target=”_blank”>http://www.songofdavidmovie.com, ” target=”_blank”>http://www.booksoup.com.

(SHABBAT)

Ethiopian Jew and Los Angeles icon Alula Tzadik is bringing the mountain to Muhammad. The avid musician and community activist figured if the religiously-disconnected Jewish teens loitering at the Third Street Promenade won’t come to synagogue for Shabbat services, he’ll bring Shabbat to them. Tonight is the first of a series of Promenade services to be held by the familiar dinosaur every fourth Friday of the month, with rabbis, cantors and musicians who are volunteering their time to reach out to the post-bar/bat mitzvah, pre-Birthright set. Fri. 7:30-9 p.m. Free. 1322 Third St., Santa Monica. For more information, contact Alula Tzadik, (323) 472-7484. Alulamusic@aol.com.

— Jina Davidovich contributed to this article