Calendar Picks and Clicks: June 3-11, 2010

THU | JUNE 3

(BUSINESS)
The Israel Conference highlights technological innovation in the Jewish state. Guest speakers include Yosi Matias, managing director of Google Israel research and development center, and Moshe Lichtman, head of Israel research and development for Microsoft. Thu. 7:30 a.m-9:30 p.m. $240 (advance), $295 (door). Luxe Hotel, 11461 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 476-6571. theisraelconference.org.

(ISRAEL)
Following the shooting of a documentary in Bat Ayin, one of the most controversial Israeli settlements in the West Bank, Leon Williams leads a discussion on the left, right and center of political viewpoints on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Thu. 7:30-10 p.m. $17 (advance), $20 (door). Private residence, 13442 Weddington St., Sherman Oaks. (818) 986-9819.

(MUSIC)
Indie songstress Rachael Sage, who blends Middle Eastern sonic influences and playful Yiddish verses into her unique brand of jazzy, art-pop tunes, performs in support of her latest album, “Delancey Street.” Ages 21 and up. Thu. 8 p.m. $10. The Hotel Cafe, 1623 1/2 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Los Angeles. (323) 461-2040. hotelcafe.com.

FRI | JUNE 4

(THEATER)
The comedy-drama “Dinner With Friends,” celebrated playwright Donald Margulies’ Pulitzer Prize-winning meditation on troubled middle-age married couples, opens for a three- week run. Fri. Through June 20. 8 p.m. (Friday), 2 and 8 p.m. (Saturday), 2 and 7 p.m. (Sunday), 7:30 p.m. (Tuesday-Thursday). La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd, La Mirada. (562) 944-9801. lamiradatheatre.com.

(THEATER)
“The Socialization of Ruthie Shapiro” follows a woman revisiting her preconformist youth in 1960s Los Angeles. Fri. Through July 11. 8 p.m. (Friday and Saturday), 2 p.m. (Sunday). $27 (opening night, all seats). $25 (premium seating, remaining nights), $22 (general), $18 (KCRW members), $17 (seniors and veterans), $11 (current military with ID), $5 (students). Theatre West, 3333 Cahuenga Blvd. West, Los Angeles. (323) 851-7977. theatrewest.org.

SAT | JUNE 5

(FILM)
Most people know U2 guitarist The Edge, but fewer are familiar with his MOT wife, Morleigh Steinberg, a filmmaker, dancer and choreographer. Two years ago, Steinberg directed “Unsung,” a six-minute short exploring contemporary possibilities of traditional Irish dance. Dance Camera West, which celebrates experimental dance media, screens Seinberg’s short along with seven others on the art of movement. Sat. 8 p.m. Programs also on Friday, 8 p.m., and Saturday, 6 p.m. $10. Roy and Edna Disney/CalArts Theater, 631 W. Second St., Los Angeles. (213) 237-2800. redcat.org.

(ART)
Bronze sculptor Susan R. Kaufman joins more than two-dozen painters, photographers, sculptors, woodworkers, jewelers and potters for A Taste of Art, Temple Beth Torah’s inaugural community art show. Sat. 7-10 p.m. Free. Temple Beth Torah, 7620 Foothill Road, Ventura. (805) 647-4181.  templebethtorah.com.

(ART)
Take a self-guided tour of Culver City’s bustling art scene. ARTWALK Culver City features 37 galleries and exhibition spaces with members of the L.A. Jazz Collective performing inside in the late afternoon. The action happens near the intersection of Washington and La Cienega boulevards. Sat. noon-8 p.m. Free. Culver City. Various locations. (310) 253-6000. culvercity.org.

(THEATER)
In 1930s and ’40s New York, Jewish and Italian mobsters get what’s coming to ’em when a stool pigeon sings in “Brooklyn U.S.A.,”  originally performed on Broadway in 1941. Sat. Through July 31. 8 p.m. (Thursday-Saturday). $20 (seniors, students, groups), $25 (general). Write Act Repertory Theatre, 6128 Yucca Ave., Hollywood. (323) 469-3113. brooklynusa-theplay.org.

(THEATER)
Wartime secrets threaten to tear apart two middle-class families in “All My Sons,” a play that earned Arthur Miller a subpoena from the House Un-American Activities Committee. Sat. Through July 25. 8 p.m. (Saturday), 7 p.m. (Sunday). $25. Raven Playhouse, 5233 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. (323) 960-4420. plays411.net.

MON | JUNE 7
(ART)
“Self-Portrait a la Frida Kahlo” examines the prolific painter’s ability to re-create herself on canvas. Gregorio Luke, an expert on Mexican and Latin American art, discusses Kahlo’s work; two of Kahlo’s surviving students share memories about the artist; and dance company Taller Coreografico de la UNAM performs. The event also features an exhibition of Kahlo’s clothes and jewelry. Mon. 7 p.m. Free (reservations recommended). Ford Theatres, 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. E., L.A. , (323) 461-3673.  fordtheatres.org.

(MUSIC)
Stephen S. Wise Temple hosts an evening of Israeli, Chasidic, Persian, Yiddish and American music. The World Music Concert features performances by Chief Cantor of Vienna Shmuel Barzilai, Stephen S. Wise Cantors Nathan Lam and Tannoz Bahremand, andSinai Temple Cantor Arianne Brown. Mon. 8-9:30 p.m. $20 (general), $36 (reserved). Stephen S. Wise Temple, 15500 Stephen S. Wise Drive, L.A. (310) 889-2208.  wisela.org.

THU | JUNE 10
(LECTURE)
Authors Dani Shapiro (“Devotion: A Memoir”) and Sylvia Boorstein (“Happiness Is an Inside Job: Practicing for a Joyful Life”) join Rabbi Laura Geller to discuss “Devotion: Exploring Faith and Doubt in Our Search for Peace.” Literary Affairs’ Julie Robinson moderates. Thu. 7:30 p.m. $20. Temple Emanuel, 8844 Burton Way, Beverly Hills, Beverly Hills. (310) 553-4265. tebh.org. tebh.org.
RSVP to {encode=”literaryaffairs@earthlink.net” title=”literaryaffairs@earthlink.net”}.

FRI | JUNE 11
(ART)
Jewish artisans will be among the mix of 250 artists participating in the 25th annual Contemporary Crafts Market, featuring   jewelry, glassware, ceramics, hand-painted textiles, custom furniture and more. Fri. Through June 13. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Free (children 12 and under). $8 (general). Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, 1855 Main St., Santa Monica (310) 285-3655. craftsource.org.

(FILM)
Documentary filmmakers Ricki Stern and Annie Sundberg followed legendary comedian Joan Rivers for one year to create “Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work,” a candid portrait of the pop icon’s life at 76 years old. Fri. breakthrufilms.org.

(THEATER)
Playwright Barbara Lebow’s “A Shayna Maidel” highlights the bumpy New York reunion of two Polish sisters — one a survivor of Nazi concentration camps, the other brought up in America — after a 20-year separation. Fri. Through July 3. 8 p.m. (Friday) 2 and 8 p.m. (Saturday), 2 p.m. (Sunday), 8 p.m. (Thursday). $50-$60 (opening night, includes reception), $32-$42. International City Theatre in the Long Beach Performing Arts Center, 300 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach. (562) 436-4610. internationalcitytheatre.org.