SAT | FEB 26
MARVIN HAMLISCH
The composer of “A Chorus Line” and the songs “The Way We Were” and “Nobody Does It Better” has won every major entertainment award — Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony — as well as a Pulitzer Prize and two Golden Globes. The pops conductor shares the bill with actress-singer Betty Buckley, who won a Tony for her role in “Cats” on Broadway. Sat. 8 p.m. $34.75-$82.75. Valley Performing Arts Center, 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge. (818) 677-8800. valleyperformingartscenter.org.
“NOT EVEN NORMAL”
Rachel Factor stars in this autobiographical one-woman show tracing her journey from Hawaii to Broadway to Jerusalem. The Japanese American dancer-singer-actress — born Christine Horii — performed as a Rockette and appeared on Broadway before converting from Christianity to Orthodox Judaism. The show, which blends music and original choreography with Factor’s humorous insights, is for women only. Sat. 8:30 p.m. $15 (student), $35-$100 (general). Congregation Shaarei Tefila, Kanner Hall, 7269 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 597-2071. rachel-factor.com.
SUN | FEB 27
“RELIGION ON THE LINE”
KRLA AM hosts a live, no-holds-barred match between conservative talk-show hosts Dennis Prager and Hugh Hewitt. The two discuss religion together for the first time on stage, covering the differences and similarities between Judaism and Christianity. Sun. 5-7 p.m. $25 (general admission), $49 (nonreserved, front of house), Pasadena Hilton, 168 S. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena. (714) 442-3874. krla870.com.
MON | FEB 28
MADELEINE ALBRIGHT, COLIN POWELL AND CONDOLEEZZA RICE
The three former secretaries of state share the stage tonight during American Jewish University’s 2011 Pubic Lecture Series. The esteemed American diplomats will discuss the political upheavals in the Middle East and how they affect Israel and U.S. foreign policy. Mon. 7:30 p.m. $100, $150 (includes speaker reception). Gibson Amphitheatre at Universal CityWalk, 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City. (310) 440-1246. ajula.edu.
TUE | MARCH 1
ISRAEL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA
An anniversary concert features maestro Zubin Mehta and the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra (IPO) performing Joseph Haydn’s Symphony No. 96 in D major, “Miracle,” and Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 5. The performance marks 50 years since Mehta, the IPO’s music director for life, first conducted the orchestra, filling in for an ailing Eugene Ormandy. Tue. 8 p.m. $56-$112. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., downtown. (323) 850-2000. laphil.com.
WED | MARCH 2
“IN SEARCH OF BIBLICAL LANDS”
This new exhibition at the Getty Villa features photographs taken during the 1840s and early 1900s of what is now Israel, Jordan and parts of Lebanon, Syria and Egypt. The images capture scenes of primitive villages and rough physical terrain, of what was previously known through fanciful illustrations based on artists’ sketches. Tue. Through Sept. 12. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (Wed.-Mon.). Free. Getty Villa, 17985 Pacific Coast Highway, Pacific Palisades. (310) 440-7300. getty.edu.
“‘WEST BANK STORY’: THE ROLE OF HUMOR AND ART IN PEACE-MAKING”
The Oscar-winning musical comedy short, which parodies “West Side Story,” follows the taboo romance between David, an Israeli soldier, and Fatima, a Palestinian falafel-stand cashier. This special screening, sponsored by the Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for Israel Studies at UCLA, is followed by a Q&A with musician Yuval Ron, who wrote the music for the film, and a live performance featuring Ron, vocalist Maya Haddi and percussionist Jamie Papish. Wed. 6-8 p.m. Free. Schoenberg Music Building, Choral Room, UCLA, Los Angeles. (310) 825-9646. international.ucla.edu/israel.
FRI | MARCH 4
YESHIVA UNIVERSITY LOS ANGELES SHABBATON
Richard Joel, president of Yeshiva University, and eight other scholars from the New York-based institution highlight a weekend of Shabbat services and compelling community programs at synagogues around Los Angeles. Also appearing: YouTube sensation The Maccabeats. Fri. Through March 5. Various times, prices and locations. Visit yu.edu/lashabbaton for more information.
NATIONAL DAY OF UNPLUGGING/SHABBAT ACROSS AMERICA
Can you go 24 hours without Facebook or Twitter? Reboot’s National Day of Unplugging, the centerpiece of its Sabbath Manifesto project, encourages people to forget about their hectic schedules and relax one day each week. And if you want to make tonight extraordinary, consider attending services at a local synagogue as part of Shabbat Across America, a project of the National Jewish Outreach Program. Through March 5. For more information, visit sabbathmanifesto.org and njop.org.
