Calendar Picks and Clicks: August 3-August 12

WED | AUG 3

“DEFENDING ISRAEL: IMPEACHING THE LIES”
Citing an increase in delegitimization campaigns against the Jewish state, L.A. civil trial attorney Baruch C. Cohen argues that defending Israel is more important than ever. Tonight’s lecture is presented by CAMERA (Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting in America) and Beth Jacob Congregation. Wed. 7 p.m. Free. Beth Jacob Congregation, 9030 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 855-9606. camera.org/events.

FOOL’S GOLD
The L.A. Afro-pop band opens for Swedish pop star Lykke Li and indie rockers Best Coast. Led by Israeli-born musicians Luke Top (bass, vocals) and Lewis Pesacov (guitar), Fool’s Gold performs new material from its upcoming album, “Leave No Trace,” the follow-up to the band’s self-titled debut. Wed. 7:30 p.m. $27.50-$35. Greek Theatre, 2700 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles. (323) 665-5857. greektheatrela.com.

MATISYAHU
Expect melodic vocals, hip-hop-inspired beat-boxing and spiritually resonant lyrics from the Chasidic reggae star, best known for the hit songs “King Without a Crown” and “One Day.” San Francisco’s bluesy jam-band Tea Leaf Green opens. Wed. 8 p.m. $25-$30. Club Nokia at L.A. Live, 800 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles. (213) 765-7000 or (800) 745-3000. clubnokia.com.

THU | AUG 4

YEMEN BLUES
Blending traditional Jewish Yemenite melodies with blues, funk and jazz, the music by this nine-piece ensemble reflects singer Ravid Kahalani’s journey from West African roots to Western influences. Yemen Blues performs tonight as part of the Skirball’s free Summer Sunset concert series. Also, roam around and enjoy the “Houdini: Art and Magic” and “Masters of Illusion: Jewish Magicians of the Golden Age” exhibitions, open until 10 p.m. Thu. 8 p.m. Free (parking not included). Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 440-4500. skirball.org.

“APPALACHIAN SPRING”
The Los Angeles Philharmonic and clarinetists Kari Kriikku and Paul Meyer perform Aaron Copland’s orchestral suite and his “Clarinet Concerto” as well as renditions of Carl Nielsen’s “Maskarade Overture” and Magnus Lindberg’s “Clarinet Concerto.” Thu. 8 p.m. $1-$130. Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N. Highland Ave., Hollywood. (323) 850-2000. hollywoodbowl.com.

FRI | AUG 5

MIDSUMMER NIGHT SHABBAT

Music, spirituality and nature come together for this Big Jewish Tent event, a joint project of Craig ’n Co. and the Shalom Institute, at TreePeople. Chart-topping Israeli singer-songwriter Idan Raichel, who blends Middle Eastern and Ethiopian music with electronics and traditional Hebrew texts, joins an interfaith lineup of musicians, including Kenneth Crouch, Stuart K. Robinson, Lisbeth Scott, Duvid Swirsky and Craig Taubman. The evening kicks off with a bird walk hosted by Wild Wings and continues with dinner and drink, a Shabbat celebration and a moonlight hike. Fri. 7 p.m. (dinner), 8:30 p.m. (program). $15 (TreePeople members), $20 (general). TreePeople, South Mark Taper Foundation Amphitheatre, Coldwater Canyon Park, 12601 Mulholland Drive, Beverly Hills. (818) 623-4877. bigjewishtent.com.

“SARAH’S KEY”
Kristen Scott Thomas has garnered critical praise for her role as an expatriate American journalist in Paris who finds her life entwined with that of a young girl whose family was torn apart during the notorious Vel’ d’Hiv Roundup in 1942. The film, adapted from the novel by Tatiana de Rosnay, opens today at the Laemmle Monica 4-Plex and Fallbrook 7. Fri. Various times. $11 (general), $8 (children, 12 and under; seniors, 62 and over). Laemmle Monica 4-plex, 1332 Second St., Santa Monica. (310) 478-3836. Laemmle Fallbrook 7, 6731 Fallbrook Ave., West Hills. (818) 340-8710. Also playing at Laemmle’s Playhouse 7, 673 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. (626) 844-6500. laemmle.com.

SAT | AUG 6

“HAIRSPRAY”

Marissa Jaret Winokur and Harvey Fierstein reprise their Tony-winning Broadway roles as Tracy and Edna Turnblad in this 1960s-set musical about a plump teen with big hair and her quest to dance on (and integrate) “The Corny Collins Show.” Running for two nights at the Hollywood Bowl, its ensemble cast includes Susan Anton, Drew Carey, Nick Jonas, Michael McDonald and John Stamos. Sat. Through Aug. 7. 8:30 p.m. (Sun. performance, 7:30 p.m.). $12-$163. Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N. Highland Ave., Hollywood. (323) 850-2000. hollywoodbowl.com.

MON | AUG 8

TISHA B’AV
Beth Chayim Chadashim, IKAR and Shtibl Minyan come together for a somber evening of prayer, learning and music. BCC scholar-in-residence Rachel Adler speaks on “Pour Out Your Heart Like Water: The Necessity of Lament.” Enjoy simple foods — hard-boiled eggs, bread, tea — before the fast. Free. 6:30-7:30 p.m. (food before the fast). 7:30 p.m. (gathering). 6090 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles. (323) 931-7023. bcc-la.org.

TUE | AUG 9

TISHA B’AV
Congregations Temple Beth Am, IKAR and B’nai David-Judea commemorate the destructions of the First and Second Temples of Jerusalem. After Minha, Rabbis Aaron Kligfeld (Beth Am), Sharon Brous (IKAR) and Yosef Kanefsky (B’nai David-Judea) lead a session of study and singing. After Ma’ariv, the evening concludes with dinner. Tue. 6:15 p.m. (Minha), 7 p.m. (study and singing), 8:15 p.m. (Ma’ariv). Free (services and group study). $10 (per person for dinner, RSVP required). Temple Beth Am, 1039 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 652-7353. tbala.org.

THU | AUG 11

BREED STREET SHUL SITE VISIT
The historic Boyle Heights synagogue, a landmark 18,000-square-foot Byzantine structure, is being redeveloped by the Breed Street Shul Project into a neighborhood community center for educational, arts and cultural programs. Come visit the shul today with The Jewish Federation’s Real Estate and Construction Division, which has contributed to its restoration. Lunch will be provided. Thu. Noon-3 p.m. Free. Breed Street Shul, 247 N. Breed St., Los Angeles. (323) 761-8302. jewishla.org.

NURIYA
The Mexico City vocalist draws on her Jewish Iraqi and Syrian roots as she combines Spanish vocals with rumba flamenco, Afro-Cuban drumming, Arabic melodies, Gypsy brass and Middle Eastern and Caribbean rhythms. Expect music from her new album, “Tanita,” which features lyrics in Spanish, English, Hebrew and Arabic. Limited seating on a first-come, first-served basis. Thu. 8 p.m. Free. Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 440-4500. skirball.org.

LOVE FEST
Celebrate Tu B’Av — the Jewish holiday of love — with live music, mixed drinks and good company during tonight’s party, organized by young professionals organization JConnectLA. Ages 18 and over. Singles and couples welcome. Thu. 8-11 p.m. $10 (advance), $15 (door), $50 (VIP booth). Bungalow Club, 7174 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles. (310) 277-5544. jconnectla.com.

FIREHORSE
Singer-songwriter and instrumentalist Leah Siegel’s latest project, a four-piece art-rock band, performs music from the group’s debut album, “And So They Ran Faster…,” at Hotel Café. Ages 21 and over. Thu. 9 p.m. Hotel Café, 1623 1/2 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Los Angeles. (323) 461-2040. hotelcafe.com.