Pick of the Week: Tuesday, December 13
ANNIE LEIBOVITZ
She honed her photography skills on a kibbutz and helped define the look of Rolling Stone magazine, where she worked for 10 years as its chief photographer. One of the most sought-after American portrait photographers, her subjects have included Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama; Scarlett Johannson and Keira Knightley nude, with Tom Ford in a suit, for the cover of Vanity Fair; and John Lennon nude and curled around a fully clothed Yoko Ono for Rolling Stone. Don’t miss an opportunity to see her in person during tonight’s discussion and presentation, “Pilgrimage: A Photo Lecture.” The event is part of the ALOUD series at the Central Library. Tue. 7 p.m. Free. Mark Taper Auditorium, Central Library, 630 W. Fifth St., downtown. (213) 228-7500. lfla.org.
THU | DEC 8
“MAKING THE OIL LAST”
Kehillat Israel examines solutions for energy sustainability, hosting a film screening of “Burning the Future: Coal in America” and a conversation with David Nahai, senior adviser to the Clinton Climate Initiative and former CEO of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. Thu. 7-9 p.m. Free. Kehillat Israel, 16019 Sunset Blvd., Pacific Palisades. (310) 459-2328. kehillatisrael.org.
FRI | DEC 9
“IN DARKNESS”
Director Agnieszka Holland adapts this true Holocaust story about Leopold Socha, a sewer worker and petty thief who hides a group of Jews beneath the Nazi-occupied city of Lvov, Poland, in exchange for money. But what begins as a business transaction between Socha and the Jews turns into an unlikely alliance. Fri. Various times. $11 (general), $8 (children, under 12), $8 (seniors). Laemmle’s Royal Theatre, 11523 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 478-3836. laemmle.com.
SAT | DEC 10
“BENJAMIN AND JUDAH: A CHANUKAH MUSICAL”
Temple Adat Elohim’s Cantor David Shukiar reinvents the Chanukah story. Bullied at school for being Jewish, 13-year-old Benjamin is feeling low about himself and his religion. After dreaming one night that he’s Judah Maccabee, however, he awakes with a new sense of self-confidence. Music, dance and drama highlight this family-friendly show. Sat. Through Dec. 11. 7 p.m. (Sat.); 2:30 and 7 p.m. (Sun.). $27-$36. Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks. (800) 745-3000. toaks.org/cap.
“LOST IN RADIOLAND: HOLLYWOOD’S CHANUKAH SPECTACULAR”
Set in the 1940s, Ryan Paul James’ original comedy for the stage features a play within a play, with “A Christmas Carol” becoming “A Chanukah Carol.” John Wayne is set to play Scrooge on a radio program, but, minutes before showtime, he’s hit by his horse and unable to perform. The only actor they can find to replace “The Duke” demands they make the play more Jewish than they ever intended. Directed by Katy Jacoby. Sat. Through Dec. 18. 8 p.m. (Fri. and Sat.), 3 p.m. (Sun.). $25. Theatre 68, 5419 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood. (323) 960-5068. 68centcrew.com.
SUN | DEC 11
FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS
The entire family will have a blast celebrating Chanukah with the Silverlake Independent Jewish Community Center at this day-long kids’ fair and concert. Eugene Edwards Band, The Neighborhood Bullys and folk group The Hollow Trees are among the local bands performing; Rebecca Martin reads the Chanukah story; and magician Ryan Majestic shows what tricks are up his sleeve. Sun. 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. $15 (all-inclusive wristband), free (adults). Silverlake Independent JCC, 1110 Bates Ave., Los Angeles. (323) 663-2255. sijcc.net.
CHANUKAH FAMILY FESTIVAL
The Skirball’s annual festival features live music, shadow puppets, a family dance party and more. Golden State Klezmers, Triumph of the Egg and a handful of folk artists whip up some musical holiday magic; TreePeople leads a planting activity; author Erica Silverman discusses her new children’s book, “Hanukkah Hop!”; and Judy Zeidler signs copies of her cookbooks, “Italy Cooks” and “The 30-Minute Kosher Cook.” Want to do some arts and crafts? Stop by the drop-in workshops to create a menorah out of wire and beads, your own tzedekah box or a portable planter. Sun. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. $10 (general), $7 (seniors and full-time students), $5 (children, 2-12), free (members). Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 440-4500. skirball.org.
EMMANUEL LUBEZKI
His body of work is extensive and his collaborators are renowned — among them Martin Scorsese and the Coen brothers. Tonight, the Oscar-nominated cinematographer appears for a discussion about his latest film, “The Tree of Life,” director Terrence Malick’s abstract meditation on a 1950s Waco, Texas, family. Sun. 5 p.m. $11 (general), $10 (KCRW members), $9 (students, seniors), $7 (American Cinematheque members). Egyptian Theatre, 6712 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. (323) 466-3456. americancinematheque.com.
TUE | DEC 13
CHANUKAH AT CITY HALL
L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s office and The Board of Rabbis of Southern California host this hourlong celebration, which includes musical performances and a candlelighting in the building’s rotunda room. Thu. Noon-1 p.m. Free (RSVP required for parking; e-mail barri.worth@lacity.org). Los Angeles City Hall, 200 N. Spring St., Los Angeles. (323) 761-8600. jewishla.org.
FRI | DEC 16
JUDITH OWEN AND HARRY SHEARER’S HOLIDAY SING-ALONG
Actor-satirist Shearer (KCRW’s “Le Show,” “The Simpsons”) and his singer-songwriter wife, Owen, host their annual evening of musical mirth. What began as a yearly gathering for family and friends soon grew too large to host at the couple’s home. Mixing traditional and nontraditional holiday music, the public performances have drawn such celebrity guests as Jane Lynch (“Glee”), Weird Al Yankovic and Shearer collaborator Christopher Guest. Who knows who will turn up this year? Fri. 7:30 p.m. $47-$75. Broad Stage, 1310 11th St., Santa Monica. (310) 434-3200. thebroadstage.com.
