What’s Happening: Dance Party, Jewbadours, ‘Inheritance’ Author

FRI FEB 8

“Miss America’s Ugly Daughter”
The life of Bess Myerson, the first Jewish Miss America, who became a television personality and politician before her tragic downfall, is portrayed in “Miss America’s Ugly Daughter,” a mother-daughter story for the stage. Writer-performer Barra Grant, Myerson’s daughter, and comedian/actress Monica Piper bring to life the true, dark and hilarious story about Grant’s seismic relationship with her mom. Through March 24. 8 p.m. Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays, and 6 p.m. Sundays. $40 general admission, $20 students and seniors 60 and over. Greenway Court Theatre, 544 N. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles (323) 655-7679.

Friday Night Unplugged
Young Jewish professionals tired of the single life or of spending Shabbat quietly can join like-minded company at Friday Night Unplugged, as Rabbi Mendel Simons and an acapella group set the tone for Kabbalat Shabbat services on an evening featuring a scotch-and-sushi cocktail hour. Ages 21–39. 5–8 p.m. $15. Beverly Hills Synagogue, 9261 Alden Drive, Beverly Hills.

Simply Shabbat
Nostalgic and contemporary melodies highlight Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills’ “Simply Shabbat,” a calm hour with prayer, music and a d’var Torah. 6:15 p.m. Free. Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills, Belle Chapel, 8844 Burton Way, Beverly Hills. (310) 288-3737.

SAT FEB 9

“90’s Bar Mitzvah Dance Party”
The East Side Jews’ “90’s Bar Mitzvah Dance Party” serves up classic, coming-of-age games, DJs and live music, a photo booth, slow dances and the Spanish dance song “Macarena.” Guests are encouraged to dress to impress. For ages 21-and-over. 8 p.m. $25 per ticket. The Box in Silver Lake, 1110 Bates Ave., Los Angeles. (323) 663-2255.

“Mystery of the Heart”
Save a Child’s Heart, an Israeli humanitarian organization, holds “Mystery of the Heart,” a benefit featuring mentalist Lior Suchard, who travels the world performing acts of telepathy and telekinesis. Save A Child’s Heart specializes in charitable pediatric cardiac care for indigent children from developing countries. Honorees are cardiac surgeon Dr. Hillel Laks of UCLA, and Jeff Frost, president of Sony Pictures Television Studios. Also appearing are Jim Belushi and the Sacred Hearts Band, the Voices of Hope Children’s Choir and actors Lisa Edelstein and Freddie Highmore. 8 p.m. $50–$250. UCLA Royce Hall, 10745 Dickson Court, Los Angeles. (818) 635-9306.

SUN FEB 10

Jewbadours
The Jewbadours entertain with music, memories and mishegas. Producer and writer Hillary Rollins hosts the evening, featuring musician/storyteller Daniel Cainer; Robin Hirsch, artist and founder of an experimental theater in New York; and Annie Korzen, an actress/writer who played the obnoxious neighbor of Jerry Seinfeld’s parents on the “Seinfeld” TV show. 7 p.m. $20 with advance reservations, $25 at the door. The Electric Lodge, 1416 Electric Ave., Venice. (310) 306-1854. For reservations, email jewbadours@gmail.com.

“Voices of Our Mothers”
“Bible Women: The Concert —Voices of Our Mothers,” the inaugural musical collaboration between the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music and the Academy for Jewish Religion, California, features alumni of both schools singing songs by composer Elizabeth Swados that give voice to women of the Torah, including Sarah, Miriam, Deborah, Ruth, Esther and Lilith. The program opens with a pre-performance talk by Rabbi Ruth Sohn of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, Cantor Kerith Spencer-Shapiro of University Synagogue and Jonathan Friedmann of the Academy for Jewish Religion, exploring the ways in which women are depicted in the Bible. 3 p.m. opening discussion. 4 p.m. concert. Free. UCLA Schoenberg Hall, 445 Charles E. Young Drive East, Los Angeles.

Super Sunday Phone-A-Thon
The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles’ annual fundraising phone-a-thon is held at Stephen Wise Temple from mid-morning to mid-afternoon. Phone volunteers must be 18 or older. Volunteer shifts, 9:30 a.m.–noon and noon–2:30 p.m. Stephen Wise Temple, 15500 Stephen S. Wise Drive. (323) 761-8133. For additional information, contact mhamerman@jewishla.org.

“Annelies”
Chorale Bel Canto performs “Annelies,” a Grammy-nominated oratorio by James Whitbourn that is based on “The Diary of Anne Frank.” Annelies was Frank’s full first name. The performance about hopes and dreams has 14 movements that track Frank’s experiences in Germany as well as her days of hiding in The Netherlands. 4 p.m. $10, no charge for Holocaust survivors. Wilshire Boulevard Temple, 3663 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. (213) 388-2401.

#TV Gone Jewy
Writer and Jewish Journal contributor Esther D. Kustanowitz delivers a 90-
minute presentation, “#TV Gone Jewy,” at American Jewish University. Kustanowitz uses film and television clips to explore how Jewish writers in Hollywood, who used to hide their Judaism, today are reclaiming Jewish identity, changing how it is being perceived onscreen. 1:30-3 p.m. $10-$15. American Jewish University, 15600 Mulholland Drive. (310) 476-9777.

Health Professionals Brunch
The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles invites healthcare professionals to the panel discussion, “Tikkun Olam: Healing the World Through Health Reporting,” featuring three award-winning Jewish journalists whose work has influenced local and federal policy. The speakers are reporter Lisa Girion of Reuters; Michelle Levander, editor and founding director of USC’s Annenberg Center for Health Journalism; and Joe Rubin, a documentary producer and investigative journalist. 10:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. $50 healthcare professionals; $25 students and trainees. Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, Sanders Board Room, 6505 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles.

TUE FEB 12

ATID Speed Dating
In time for Valentine’s Day, Atid holds its sixth-annual evening of speed dating for those who are tired of swiping left and want to meet a nice Jewish boy or girl the old-fashioned way. Participants ages 21–39 meet 15 eligible bachelors or bachelorettes before having the chance to mingle with everyone afterward. 7:30–9 p.m. $10. Sinai Temple, 10400 Wilshire Blvd. (310) 474-1518.

WED FEB 13

“Inheritance” Author
In her recently published book, “Inheritance: A Memoir of Genealogy, Paternity and Family Secrets,” author Dani Shapiro uncovers a shocking family secret. She appears in conversation with Sinai Temple Rabbi David Wolpe to discuss it. A book signing follows. 7:30–9:30 p.m. Free for temple members. $25 for general. Sinai Temple, 10400 Wilshire Blvd. (310) 474-1518.

Rabbi Shmuley Boteach
The outspoken and prolific Rabbi Shmuley Boteach discusses “How to Find the Right Match and Sustain a Good Marriage,” as part of the Sephardic Temple’s Distinguished Speaker series. 7:30 p.m. $18 temple members, $26 general. Sephardic Temple Tifereth Israel, 10500 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. RSVP to melissa@sephardictemple.org or (310) 475-7000.

The High Cost of Jewish Education
Three experts on education discuss a topic of frequent concern in the Jewish community: “The High Cost of Jewish Education.” Speakers are Gil Graff, executive director of the Bureau of Jewish Education; Scott Goldberg, an authority on benchmarking in Jewish education; and Rabbi Joshua Spodek, head of school at YULA Girls High School. Beth Jacob Congregation member, writer and day school parent Abigail Shrier moderates. 7:30–9 p.m. Free. Beth Jacob Congregation, 9030 W. Olympic Blvd., Beverly Hills. (310) 278-1911.

Have an event coming up? Send your information two weeks prior to the event to ryant@jewishjournal.com for consideration. For groups staging an event that requires an RSVP, please submit details about the event the week before the RSVP deadline.