Calendar May 23–29

SAT | MAY 23

NEIL DIAMOND

Sweet Caroline, we’re in for a treat! An inductee of the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, an honoree at the Kennedy Center and a Grammy winner, Neil Diamond has been warming our hearts for decades. You know you love “Song Sung Blue,” “Desiree” and “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers,” to name a few, so grab your ticket and let the good times feel so good. 8 p.m. $45-$350. Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N. Highland Ave., Los Angeles. (323) 850-2000. WED | MAY 27

Audrey Shulman knows a little something about the pursuit of love in Los Angeles. So, like any good Jew, she turned to food. In her new book, Shulman recounts a year of baking, bar-hopping and offering slices of cake to men in hopes of finding her beshert — or just a date. Her personal frustrations, though, led to a charming book of inventive recipes inspired by her bar interactions. From Sticky Maple Kiss Cake to Bitter Chocolate Dump Cake, there’s a treat for every occasion. 7 p.m. Free. Book Soup, 8818 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. (310) 659-3110. ” target=”_blank”>cjs.ucla.edu.

FIRST 36 PROJECT LAUNCH EVENT

Because we all know that Jewish learning begins at birth, if not before, it’s time cutting-edge research is setting out to reinforce early our next generation’s connection to the faith. Parent-and-me educators at six local Jewish institutions will get lots of support from a yearlong fellowship, The First 36 Project, a new initiative supported by The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, the Builders of Jewish Education and the Simms/Mann Institute. Early childhood professionals and community members are invited to the project’s launch. 12:45 p.m., The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, 6505 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. L.Silverstein@SimmsMannInstitute.org.

“LOVE FROM AFAR: A MULTIMEDIA CONCERT”

Sometimes we don’t have to pick just one form of media. Tonight’s concert features live music by two contemporary composers — Osvaldo Golijov and Kaija Saariaho — as well as video graphic design by Yuki Izumihara. Golijov, who was born in Argentina but eventually moved to Israel, where he studied under Mark Kopytman at the Jerusalem Music Academy, has two Grammys and is the recipient of Guggenheim and MacArthur fellowships. The program features a folk-song cycle for soprano, electronics and chamber ensemble, with the help of soprano Terri Richter and the UCLA Philharmonia. 7:30 p.m. Free, but a ticket is required; first-come, first-served. Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 443-7000.  THUR | MAY 28

Led by vocalist Azam Ali and multi-instrumentalist Loga Ramin Torkian, this band combines medieval Sufi poetry and folk songs from its native Iran with rich acoustic instrumentation and modern electronic rhythms. The result explores themes such as the plights of the immigrant, and ethnic and religious minorities. 8 p.m. $25-$35. Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 440-4500. ” target=”_blank”>staplescenter.com.