Calendar Picks and Clicks: July 5-July 15, 2011

WED | JULY 6

TORAH ON TAP
Adat Ari El’s young professionals group, Valley Ruach, hosts its monthly evening of schmoozing, drinking and Torah discussion for people in their 20s and 30s. Wed. 7:30-10 p.m. Free. Private residence in the San Fernando Valley (address e-mailed following RSVP). (818) 835-2139. valleyruach.org.

THU | JULY 7

THURSDAY NIGHT JAZZ
Jazz guitarist Doug MacDonald, who has collaborated with Ray Charles, Stan Getz and other music legends, leads the Doug MacDonald Trio in a performance at the Original Farmers Market, located at West Third Street and Fairfax Avenue. The Los Angeles landmark holds concerts every Thursday and Friday all summer long, with vendors serving up different types of cuisine and artists serving up jazz, rock and more. Thu. 7-9 p.m. Free. 6333 W. Third St., Los Angeles. (323) 933-9211. farmersmarketla.com.

FRI | JULY 8

AMY HECKERLING
She redefined the high-school comedy in the ’80s with a film adaptation of Cameron Crowe’s “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” and updated Jane Austen’s “Emma” for the ’90s with “Clueless,” featuring Alicia Silverstone as Cher, a superficial Beverly Hills high school student who learns a valuable lesson about meddling in other people’s lives. Director Heckerling appears live for a discussion between the double-feature screenings. Fri. 7:30 p.m. $11 (general), $9 (students and seniors, 65 and older). Aero Theatre, 1328 Montana Ave., Santa Monica. (310) 260-1528. americancinematheque.com.

VANESSA CARLTON
Best known for her chart-topping hit “A Thousand Miles,” the pop pianist and vocalist performs “Carousel” and other songs from her forthcoming release, “Rabbits on the Run.” Singer-songwriter Maia Sharp opens. Fri. 8 p.m. $25. Largo at the Coronet, 366 N. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 855-0350. largo-la.com.

“IT’S GOOD 2 BE CRAZY”
Joel and Merryl, a 20-something couple, have their relationship tested in this Gen-Y dramedy by L.A. playwright Joanclair Richter. Joel offers to remain in his dead-end position to support Merryl’s dreams of pursing a music career when she loses her part-time job. But when Doug, a successful music exec and family friend who harbors a crush on Merryl, agrees to listen to her demo, things get complicated. Thu. Through Aug. 14. 8 p.m. $20. Hudson Guild Theatre, 6539 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles. (323) 960-5774. plays411.com/goodcrazy.

INTO THE NIGHT: MUSIC AND MAGIC
This late-night event at the Skirball features performances by indie rock groups Autolux and Superhumanoids, KCRW DJ Anthony Valadez and strolling magicians; a screening of “Master Mystery” (1920), a serial starring Harry Houdini as justice department agent Quentin Locke investigating a cartel protected by a robot; and after-dark access to the exhibitions “Houdini: Art and Magic” and “Masters of Illusion: Jewish Magicians of the Golden Age.” Ages 21 and over only. Fri. 9 p.m.-1 a.m. $15. Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 440-5400. skirball.org.

SILVERLAKE INDEPENDENT JCC CAMPING TRIP
Summer is supposed to be spent outdoors. Join families from the SIJCC for a weekend camping trip in the Angeles National Forest. Through July 10. $50 (individual or family). (323) 663-2255. sijcc.net.

SUN | JULY 10

OUTFEST 2011
The 29th annual Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Film Festival features two Israeli entries today. Director Eytan Fox (“Yossi & Jagger”) brings us “Mary Lou,” a musical miniseries that’s been called Israel’s “Glee.” Meir is a young gay man in search of his mother, who abandoned him on his 10th birthday. As he searches for her in Tel Aviv — convinced she became a backup singer for ’70s pop star Svika Pick — Meir joins the city’s gay scene and emerges as a celebrated drag queen, Mary Lou. In Veronica Kedar’s dark indie comedy, “Joe + Belle” (2010), two women — one a drug dealer, the other a suicidal psychopath — end up on the run following an outlandish accident. With a body on their hands and the cops on their tails, the pair fall in love as they head for Sderot. Sponsored by the Consulate General of Israel in collaboration with Beth Chayim Chadashim, Congregation Kol Ami, JQ International and El Al. Sun. “Mary Lou,” 1:30 p.m. Directors Guild of America, 7920 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles. “Joe + Belle,” 7:15 p.m. Laemmle Sunset 5, 8000 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles. $13 (per film). (213) 480-7065. outfest.org.

KAYAKING IN MARINA DEL REY
Get in the water with ATID, the young professional (ages 21 to 39) organization of Sinai Temple, for 90 minutes of kayaking. Reservations required (e-mail ilana@atidla.com). Sun. 10 a.m.-noon. $15. 13719 Fiji Way, Marina del Rey. (310) 481-3244. atidla.com.

“HEROES AND VILLAINS: JEWS OF THE OLD WEST”
Lewis Holzman, a docent at the Autry National Center’s Museum of the American West, lectures on Jews who immigrated West before the 1900s, sharing the stories of prominent Jewish pioneers, including Solomon “Sol” Star, the Jewish mayor of Deadwood, S.D., in 1885; Josie Earp, Wyatt Earp’s Jewish wife; and others. Holzman also discusses the Galveston Plan and the “Hidden Jews” of New Mexico. Organized by the Jewish Genealogical Society of Los Angeles (JGSLA). Arrive at 1 p.m. for some food, and browse JGSLA’s traveling library. Sun. 1:30 p.m. (lecture). Free. JCC at Milken, 22622 Vanowen St., West Hills. (818) 771-5554. jgsla.org.
 
THE JEWISH HERITAGE TOUR
Visit the famous Beth Olam mausoleum, the burial site of mobster Bugsy Siegel, and the grave sites of legendary talent agent Charles Feldman, who represented John Wayne, the Ritz Brothers and more during this walking tour of the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. While you’re there, stop by the graves of Rudolph Valentino, Cecil B. DeMille and other non-Jewish celebrity icons. Sun. 2 p.m. $15. Hollywood Forever Cemetery, 6000 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood. (818) 517-5988. cemeterytour.com.

MON | JULY 11

ADAM LEVIN
The young novelist discusses and signs copies of his debut work, “The Instructions” (McSweeny’s), the story of Gurion Maccabee, the Philip Roth-admiring 10-year-old son of a former IDF soldier and Jewish civil rights attorney. Professing to be a translation of a Hebrew manuscript, the book follows four days in the life of Gurion, who has been expelled from three Jewish day schools for acts of violence and messianic tendencies, only to end up in the Cage, a special lockdown program for the most hopeless cases. Levin appears at Book Soup with author Adam Novy, who will present his own work, “The Avian Gospels.” Mon. 7 p.m. Free. Book Soup, 8818 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. (310) 659-3110. booksoup.com.

WED | JULY 13

JNET NORTH VALLEY MEETING
The nonprofit holds a social event for Jewish business people and professionals to network. So, come and eat, chat and make those connections. Guest speakers will be Randy Schwartz and David Stein. Wed. 7-9 p.m. Free. Temple Ahavat Shalom, 18200 Rinaldi Place, Northridge. (818) 426-6340. jewishbusinessnetworking.org.
 

THU | JULY 14

JNFUTURE SUMMER SOIREE
Tonight’s party, organized by the young leadership division of the Jewish National Fund (JNF), raises funds for Friends of Israel Firefighters, a project that purchases equipment, trucks and facilities for the Israel Fire and Rescue Services. Thurs. 7-11 p.m. $40 (pre-registration), $50. Busby’s East, 5364 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. (323) 964-1400. jnf.org.

IDAN RAICHEL AND INDIA.ARIE
Raichel, an Israeli native and renowned world musician, joins fellow long-haired sonic soul mate Arie, a Grammy-winning singer-songwriter, for tonight’s concert. The two collaborated on an upcoming album, set to be released in the fall, “Open Door.” A reprisal of their performance at the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony last year, expect soulful vocals about social unity (in Hebrew and English), and a healthy fusion of pop, folk and R&B. Thu. 8 p.m. $65-$105. Broad Stage, 1310 11th St., Santa Monica. (310) 434-3200. thebroadstage.com.

SARAH SILVERMAN AND FRIENDS
Back from her June trip to Tel Aviv, the always irreverent and raunchy comedian performs at Largo with guest stand-up comics. Past guests have included Aziz Ansari and Louie CK. Silverman often experiments with new material and plays acoustic guitar during her shows at this intimate venue (which has general admission seating). Must be 18 or older to attend. No late entry. Thu. 7:30 p.m. (bar opens), 9 p.m. (show). $25. Largo at the Coronet, 366 N. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 855-0350. largo-la.com.
 

FRI | JULY 15

DAPHNA EDWARDS ZIMAN
The founder and chair of Children Uniting Nations discusses and signs copies of her new thriller, “The Gray Zone,” which raises awareness about issues facing foster children. The New York Times best-selling book follows Kelly Jensen, a bold identify thief raised in an abusive home, who uses her skills to save foster kids from trafficking and other abuses. Fri. 2 p.m. Free. Book Soup, 8818 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. (310) 659-3110. booksoup.com.

IPALPITI ORCHESTRA

The classical music ensemble, which includes musicians from 20 countries under the direction of maestro Eduard Schmieder, performs the L.A. premiere of Israeli composer Avner Dorman’s “Concert Grosso and the U.S. premiere of Kareem Roustom’s “Three Klezmer Dances.” Fri. 8:30 p.m. $20 (nonmembers), free (members). Temple of the Arts at the Saban Theatre, 8440 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills. (310) 205-0511. ipalpiti.org. ipalpiti.org.

LUAU SHABBAT
Spend Shabbat shmoozing and worshipping with people in their 20s and 30s. Organized by Valley Ruach, the young professionals organization of Conservative synagogue Adat Ari El, a happy hour with snacks and cocktails starts off the evening. Afterward, a guitar-accompanied service makes praying accessible for those who don’t go to synagogue often; a kosher, catered meal follows. Fri. 7-10 p.m. $9 (members), $12 (nonmembers). Adat Ari El, 12020 Burbank Blvd., Valley Village. (818) 835-2139. valleyruach.org.