Entertainment calendar: September and October

Award-winning author Maggie Anton has a new book called “Fifty Shades of Talmud: What the First Rabbis Had to Say About You-Know-What.”

[additional-authors]

Amanda Epstein

September 23, 2016

TUES | SEPT 27

MAGGIE ANTON

Award-winning author Maggie Anton has a new book called “Fifty Shades of Talmud: What the First Rabbis Had to Say About You-Know-What.” It mixes discussion about the Talmud with cartoons and observations by serious thinkers and comedians. It also provides a new and shocking perspective on what the Talmudic savants have to say about sex. Anton will be signing “Fifty Shades of Talmud” (books will be available for sale at the event). Wine and light refreshments. 7:30 p.m. $5 suggested donation at the door; donations go to the Women of Aliyah Campership Fund. RSVP to leonardteam@aol.com or (818) 631-6535. Temple Aliyah, 6025 Valley Circle Blvd., Woodland Hills. (818) 346-3545.

SAT | OCT 1

“HOW TO LOVE A REPUBLICAN: A POLITICAL ROMANTIC COMEDY”

It’s opening night! Playwright Jerry Mayer reunites with veteran, acclaimed director (and frequent Mayer director) Chris DeCarlo to bring you a new romantic comedy. And the timing couldn’t be better, what with the current political state of this country. Margie’s parents are trying to set her up. They are long married and wildly in love, but they couldn’t be more different. He’s a Christian, she’s a Jew, he’s a way-right Republican, she’s a way-left Democrat. They introduce Margie to two wperfect men, one a Democrat and one a Republican. The kick is — the two are running against each other for Congress. Who will win her vote, in and out of the bedroom? Can her research give us the answer to our burning question: Is America’s political stalemate solvable? Through Dec. 18. 7 p.m. $29.50. Santa Monica Playhouse, 1211 Fourth St., Santa Monica. (310) 394-9779.

AN EVENING WITH BURT BACHARACH

SUN | OCT 9

MARK BITTMAN — HOW TO BAKE EVERYTHING

Former New York Times food writer and author of more than a dozen cookbooks, Mark Bittman will discuss his latest venture: his book “How to Bake Everything.” It offers classic American favorites as well as ethnic recipes, vegan adaptations and Bittman’s signature mix-and-match charts for novices and experienced bakers. He’s an advocate for food justice — guaranteeing food is ethically grown, affordable, nutritious, green and delicious. Books are available for purchase at this book signing as well as tasting of Bittman’s recipes, which follow the program. 2 p.m. $15. Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 440-4500.

ECHOES OF HOPE

THURS | OCT 20

SPOKEN WORD IN THE SUKKAH

Enjoy an evening of spoken-word poetry and song in a sukkah. Bring a blanket and get comfortable while hearing from featured artists Tova Ricardo, Josh Healey and duo Blake Baldwin and Evan Jiroudek. The Skirball sukkah, created by designer Shannon Scrofano, will be installed on the courtyard behind the main lobby and will serve as a gathering place for conversation, communal meals, poetry and music during the weeklong Jewish festival of Sukkot. People of all backgrounds and faiths are encouraged to come and explore their roots. A selection of treats will be available after the program. 8 p.m. $10; $8 for members; $6 for students. Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 440-4500.

THURS | OCT 27

TRIPLE ART OPENING

Come see three new exhibitions: “Seek My Face: The Art of Joshua Meyer 2000-2016,” “WINGS” by Harriet Zeitlin and “The German Roots of Zionism,” an educational exhibition. Meyer is known for his thickly layered paintings of people. He is a recipient of the Pollock-Krasner Foundation Grant as well as the Sustainable Arts Foundation Award. Zeitlin has had 25 solo shows and participated in 100 group shows. The third show was organized by the Leo Baeck Institute (and made possible by the German Information Center USA). It explores the dream of refuge from anti-Semitism and the popular 19th-century dream of having a place for Jewish religion and culture to flourish. Some of the most enduring expressions of the Zionist vision emanated from assimilated Jews in cities such as Vienna and Berlin, where Jews enjoyed unprecedented rights and prosperity. 7 p.m. Free. Hillel at UCLA, 574 Hilgard Ave., Los Angeles. (310) 208-3081, ext. 108.

SAT | NOV 12

DON RICKLES’ 90TH BIRTHDAY LAUGHFEST