FRI | OCT 1
(FILM)
James Franco stars as Allen Ginsberg in “Howl,” a biopic that weaves together the beat poet’s early life in New York City, the 1957 San Francisco obscenity trial that followed publication of his book “Howl and Other Poems,” and an animated interpretation of the poem, considered Ginsberg’s seminal work. Fri. Laemmle Sunset 5, Playhouse 7, Town Center 5 and Monica 4-Plex. laemmle.com.
(MUSIC)
Kick off the new season at the Walt Disney Concert Hall with pianist Yana Reznik, who joins the Los Angeles Philharmonic for a kid-friendly, musical-theater-style performance that explores the work of Mozart, Beethoven, Rachmaninoff and more. Fri. 7:30 p.m. Free. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. (323) 850-2000. laphil.com.
(THEATER)
Traveling through Israel and the Palestinian territories during the Jewish state’s 50th anniversary, a 50-year-old writer meets people of all backgrounds and political beliefs in “Via Dolorosa,” an autobiographical play by David Hare that emphasizes the similarities between Jews and Arabs. The Southern California Jewish Repertory Theatre presents the West Coast premiere of the play, which won Hare a Drama Desk Award. Fri. Through Nov. 7. Fri.-Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 3 p.m. $25 (general), $20 (students, seniors). The Missing Piece Theatre, 2811 W. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank. (818) 563-1100. themissingpiecetheatre.com.
SAT | OCT 2
(SHABBAT)
Musicians Josh Nelson and Michelle Citrin join Craig Taubman, Chaplain Jenny Greene, president of Family Promise of East San Fernando Valley, and Rabbi Deborah Silver for a multifaith look at the book of Genesis during One Shabbat Morning. Sat. 9 a.m.-noon. Free. Adat Ari El, 12020 Burbank Blvd., Valley Village. (818) 766-9426. adatariel.org.
(GREEN)
Test-drive the newest “green” vehicles at the Alt Car Expo 2010, including the highly anticipated Chevy Volt and the electric Nissan Leaf. Experts in alternative transportation will be on hand, and exhibits will feature the latest in electric, hydrogen, natural gas, propane, hybrid, plug-in and cycling technologies. Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, 1855 MainSt., Santa Monica. (310) 390-2930. altcarexpo.com.
(THEATER)
Barney Cashman, a middle-age nebbish, attempts to spice up his life by inviting three women to his mother’s apartment in the West Coast Jewish Theatre production of Neil Simon’s “Last of the Red Hot Lovers.” Sat. Through Nov. 21. Thu.-Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. $20 (students), $28 (seniors), $30 (adults). Pico Playhouse, 10508 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles. (323) 860-6620. westcoastjewishtheatre.org.
SUN | OCT 3
(SPORTS)
Jonathan Bornstein and Chivas USA face off against David Beckham and the L.A. Galaxy during Golazo Israel, a night to honor Israel at Home Depot Center, sponsored by Chivas USA and the Consulate General of Israel in Los Angeles. Sinai Temple’s Cantor Arianne Brown sings the national anthem before this Major League Soccer game between hometown rivals, and a special half-time show honors the Jewish state. A meet-and-greet with Bornstein, also a defender on the U.S. Men’s National Team, follows the game. Kosher food available. Sun. 5 p.m. $15-$20. Home Depot Center, 18400 Avalon Blvd., Carson. (310) 630-4581. israeliconsulatela.org.
(MITZVAH)
Donate blood during “Save a Life Sunday,” a drive organized by Temple Beth David of Orange County and the Red Cross. Sun. 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. Temple Beth David, 6100 Hefley St., Westminster. (714) 826-4374. templebethdavid.org.
MON | OCT 4
(LECTURE)
David Menashri, a professor of Middle Eastern and African history at Tel Aviv University, lectures on “Israel, Iran and the United States.” Mon. Noon-1 p.m. Free. 11248 Bunche Hall, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles. (310) 825-5133. international.ucla.edu/israel.
TUE | OCT 5
(EXHIBITION)
Brian Singer, a San Francisco-based designer, sent journals around the world 10 years ago, inviting people to fill the pages with art, poetry and musings. The Skirball Cultural Center exhibition “The 1000 Journals Project” puts 15 of these journals on display, and computer kiosks link to online versions of many others. Visitors can contribute to “1001 Journals,” the next installment in the project. Tue. Through Feb. 13. Tue.-Fri. Noon-5 p.m., Sat.-Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Included with museum admission: $5 (children 2-12), $7 (students and seniors), $10 (general), free (on Thursdays). Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 440-4500. skirball.org.
WED | OCT 6
(BENEFIT)
Roots of Change honors the work of the L.A. Food Policy Task Force, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and others working to better the city’s food environment with Good Food for All: A Taste of the Los Angeles Foodshed, the opening reception for the food advocacy group’s Network Summit. The event, a benefit for Hunger Action Los Angeles and Sustainable Economic Enterprises Los Angeles, brings together pioneering farmers, top chefs (Susan Feniger, Evan Kleiman and Nancy Silverton, to name a few), food justice advocates and community members (The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles). Wed. 6-9 p.m. $100. Vibiana, 214 S. Main St., downtown. rootsofchange.org/goodfoodforall.
(LECTURE)
Bio-ethics consultant Viki Kind, author of “The Caregiver’s Path to Compassionate Decision Making,” lectures on “Empowering Caregivers Making the Difficult Life and Health Decisions.” Organized by the North Valley Jewish Community Center’s Aging Parents program. Wed. 7-8:30 p.m. Free (members). $10 (general). Temple Ramat Zion, 17655 Devonshire St., Northridge. (818) 360-2211. nvjcc.org.
