Arts & Entertainment calendar: Fall 2017

FRI | SEPT 15

AMY DRESNER, “MY FAIR JUNKIE”

Author Amy Dresner discusses and signs her book, “My Fair Junkie: A Memoir of Getting Dirty and Staying Clean.” Growing up in Beverly Hills, Dresner had it all: She was enrolled in a top-notch private school, sent to the most expensive summer camps, and even given a weekly clothing allowance. However, it soon became evident that if she could snort it, smoke it or have sex with it, she would. Smart and charming, with her father’s money to fall back on, she managed to get by, keeping it somewhat together. But on Christmas Eve 2011, it all changed. High on OxyContin, she pulled a bread knife on her husband and was arrested for felony domestic violence with a deadly weapon. She ultimately found herself penniless, divorced and having to perform 240 hours of court-ordered community service. Find out what happened as she struggled with sobriety, sex addiction and starting over in her 40s. 7 p.m. Free. Book Soup, 8818 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. (310) 659-3110. booksoup.com.

TUES | SEPT 19

JERRY RUBIN, AMERICAN REVOLUTIONARY

Hear writer Pat Thomas talk about his book, “Did It! From Yippie to Yuppie: Jerry Rubin, an American Revolutionary,” with Rubin’s former wife, Mimi Leonard. The book is an oral and visual history of the infamous and ubiquitous Rubin, the first biography of the Yippies co-founder, anti-Vietnam War radical, Chicago 8 defendant, New Age/self-help proponent and social-networking pioneer. Based on more than 75 interviews with his co-conspirators, friends and foes, the book explores the life and times of Rubin as well as the idealistic firebrands of the 1960s, the “me” generation in the ’70s and the capitalists of the ’80s. The book also explores Rubin’s often misunderstood relationship with his fellow radical Abbie Hoffman. 7 p.m. Free. Book Soup, 8818 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. (310) 659-3110. booksoup.com

THURS | OCT 5

“CAGNEY: THE MUSICAL”

James Cagney was a fluent Yiddish speaker who became known as Hollywood’s “tough guy in tap shoes.” “Cagney: The Musical” follows the life of the legendary performer from the streets of New York to vaudeville song-and-dance man to one of the brightest stars of Hollywood. A cast of six (the original crew from the off-Broadway production), led by Robert Creighton in the title role, will tap-dance its way through favorites such as: “Give My Regards to Broadway,” “You’re a Grand Old Flag” and “Yankee Doodle Dandy.” The production features a book by Peter Colley, and music and lyrics by Creighton and Christopher McGovern. Through Oct. 29. Tickets start at $25. El Portal Theatre, 5269 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. (866) 811-4111. cagneythemusical.com.

FRI | OCT 6-TUES | OCT 10

JEWISH CAMP FOR ADULTS

Looking for fun, adventure and a sense of community? This three-night, all-inclusive camp-style getaway in Simi Valley for adults in their 20s and 30s could be just the trip for you. It includes an open bar, out-of-the-box camp activities, optional Jewish experiences and kosher-style meals. You do not need to be religious or even Jewish to attend. 7 p.m. Cabins starting at $550. Camp Alonim, 1101 Peppertree Lane, Simi Valley. (202) 536-2929. trybalgatherings.com.

FRI | OCT 6

ELIZABETH ROSNER, “SURVIVOR CAFÉ”

As survivors of many of the 20th century’s most monumental events — the Holocaust, Pearl Harbor, the Killing Fields — die, Elizabeth Rosner’s “Survivor Café: The Legacy of Trauma and the Labyrinth of Memory” addresses urgent questions: How do we carry those stories forward? How do we collectively ensure that the horrors of the past are not forgotten? Rosner organizes her book around three trips she took with her father to Buchenwald concentration camp — in 1983, 1995 and 2015 — each journey an experience in which personal history confronts commemoration and memorialization. She explores the echoes of similar legacies among descendants of African-American slaves, descendants of Cambodian survivors of the Killing Fields, descendants of survivors of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and the effects of 9/11 on the general population. Examining current brain research, Rosner depicts the efforts to understand the intergenerational inheritance of trauma, as well as the intricacies of remembrance in the aftermath of atrocity. Rosner will discuss and sign her book. 7 p.m. Free. Book Soup, 8818 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. (310) 659-3110. booksoup.com

THURS | OCT 12

“KAREN FINLEY: THE EXPANDED UNICORN GRATITUDE MYSTERY”

Karen Finley confronts the absurdity of contemporary politics and society in this new work. Her solo performance confronts issues of citizenship, abuse of power and gender disparity, while poeticizing magical beings, aggressive thankfulness, collective intimacy and international trauma. 8:30 p.m. $20; discounts available. Roy and Edna Disney/CalArts Theater, 631 W. Second St., Los Angeles. redcat.org/event/karen-finley.

SAT | OCT 28

MELISSA RIVERS: “JOAN RIVERS CONFIDENTIAL”

Melissa Rivers discusses and signs her book about her famous mother, “Joan Rivers Confidential: The Unseen Scrapbooks, Joke Cards, Personal Files and Photos of a Very Funny Woman Who Kept Everything.” With a career that began in the late 1950s, Joan Rivers’ popular humor appealed to generations of fans. “Joan Rivers Confidential” is a compilation of never-before-seen personal archives. Assembled by her daughter and Scott Currie, the book contains scripts and monologues, letters from famous friends, exchanges with fans and rare photographs, as well as classic and never-before-heard jokes. 2 p.m. Free. Book Soup, 8818 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. (310) 659-3110. booksoup.com.

MON | OCT 30

ISRAEL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA

This special tour celebrates legendary conductor Zubin Mehta, who recently announced his retirement as the orchestra’s music director. The Los Angeles performance will mark the tour debut of Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor, Op. 37, featuring pianist Yefim Bronfman. Amit Poznansky’s “Footnote Suite” and the tour debut of Franz Schubert’s Symphony No. 9 in C major (“The Great”) will round out the evening’s music. Proceeds benefit the Keynote Music Education Program. Cocktail attire. Tickets start at $350. 6 p.m. supper; 8 p.m. concert. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. (310) 277-0100. afipo.org.

TUES | NOV 7

“CHASING MEM’RIES: A DIFFERENT KIND OF MUSICAL”

In this world premiere with songs written by legendary lyricists Alan and Marilyn Bergman, Tyne Daly stars as a woman not quite ready to let go of the life she’s loved and the love of her life. 8 p.m. Through Dec. 10. Tickets start at $25. Geffen Playhouse, 10886 Le Conte Ave., Los Angeles. (310) 208-5454. geffenplayhouse.com.