Picks and Clicks: May 6-14, 2010

THU | MAY 6

(FILM)
Filmmaker J. Michael Hagopian screens and discusses “The River Ran Red,” his 2008 documentary on the Armenian Genocide. Taner Akçam, a Turkish historian, former political prisoner and author of “A Shameful Act: The Armenian Genocide and the Question of Turkish Responsibility,” also lectures. Thu. 7 p.m. Free. Valley Beth Shalom, 15739 Ventura Blvd., Encino. (818) 788-6000. vbs.org.

(ISRAEL)
Multiple speakers address “Israel: Lessons of the Past, Promises for the Future,” including Journal contributor David Suissa, who discusses “Israel: The Missing Debates,” and CAMERA Regional Director Talia Shulman Gold on “Media, the Power of Words, and the Global Defamation of Israel.” Thu. 6:30 p.m. Free. West Hollywood location provided upon RSVP. (310) 855-9606. camera.org.

FRI | MAY 7

(MUSIC)
Ring Festival L.A.’s “On Wings of Song: The Music and Soul of Felix Mendelssohn” celebrates the bicentennial of German Jewish composer Felix Mendelssohn’s birth with a lecture on his life by pianist and professor Neal Brostoff. A staged reading of scenes from writer Jacqueline Bassan’s “Mendelssohn! On Wings of Song” follows, examining the rivalry fueled by religious differences between Mendelssohn and composer Richard Wagner. Brostoff, mezzo-soprano Laurie Rubin and L.A. Philharmonic violinist Mark Kashper and cellist Barry Gold perform select works by Mendelssohn. Rabbi Edward Feinstein leads Shabbat services. Fri. 8 p.m. Free. Valley Beth Shalom, 15739 Ventura Blvd., Encino. (818) 788-6000. vbs.org.

SAT | MAY 8

(FILM)
The fifth annual Los Angeles Jewish Film Festival kicks off six days of Jewish cinema with the premiere of the Israeli sumo wrestling comedy, “A Matter of Size” (“Sipur Gadol”), and a discussion with filmmakers Erez Tadmor and Sharon Maymon, moderated by Jewish Journal Editor-in-Chief Rob Eshman, at the Writers Guild Theatre. The festival’s lineup of more than 20 films includes the Chasidic drug-smuggling drama “Holy Rollers,” the yeshiva baseball farce “The Yankles” and the U.S. premiere of “The Loners,” a drama centered on Russian immigrant IDF soldiers fighting arms-smuggling charges. Other events include panels, a student film showcase on Mother’s Day, and a photo and short film exhibition at Sinai Temple. Sat. Through May 13. Visit lajfilmfest.org for the schedule and to purchase tickets, or call (800) 838-3006. For more information or group ticket sales, call (323) 938-2531.

(THEATER)
A Jewish family hopes to find peace, self-acceptance and love in writer Daniel Goldfarb’s “Sarah, Sarah,” a comedy-drama that stretches from 1960s New York, where matriarch Sarah Grosberg is about to meet her future daughter-in-law, to 2001 China, where Sarah’s single granddaughter has adopted a baby named for her grandmother. Howard Teichman directs this production for West Coast Jewish Theatre. Sat. Through June 27. 8 p.m. (Thursday, Friday and Saturday), 2 p.m. (Sunday). $35 (opening night), $20-$30 (remaining dates). Pico Playhouse, 10508 Pico Blvd., Los Angeles. (323) 821-2449. wcjt.org.

SUN | MAY 9

(ART)
Plastic mesh, waxed linen and more make for “Uncommon Threads,” an exhibition featuring the fiber-made sculptures of Cathy Breslaw, Lois Z. Brooks, Leah Danberg, Merrill Morrison, Rosalie Friis-Ross, Deborah Wier and Norman Sherfield.  Sun. 3-5 p.m. (artist reception). Free. American Jewish University Platt and Borstein Galleries, 15600 Mulholland Drive, Los Angeles. (310) 476-9777, ext. 201. ajula.edu.

(BOOKS)
Noah’s Bagels founder Noah Alper holds a meet-and-greet and signs copies of his book, “Business Mensch: Timeless Wisdom for Today’s Entrepreneur.” Sun. 9-11:30 a.m. Free. Noah’s Bagels, 546-548 W. Washington Blvd., Marina del Rey. (310) 574-1155. businessmensch.net.

(MOTHER’S DAY)
Conga Line for Congo, a women-only dance party, supports Jewish World Watch relief efforts in Congo. Sun. 7:30 p.m. $18 (students, advance), $36 (adults, advance), $20(students, door), $40 (adults, door). B’nai David-Judea Social Hall, 8906 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles. (818) 501-1836. jewishworldwatch.org.

TUE | MAY 11

(MUSEUM)
Music journalists and Skirball guest curators Roger Bennett and Josh Kun lecture on “Jews on Vinyl,” an exhibition that includes displays of vintage Jewish music LP cover art from the 1940s to the 1980s and listening stations set in 1950s suburban-style living rooms. “Jews on Vinyl” opens May 12 and closes Sept. 5. Tue. 8 p.m. Free (RSVP to lecture required). Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. (323) 874-9667. skirball.org.

WED | MAY 12

(THEATER)
Rachel Bailit stars in the autobiographical “Sugar Happens: A One-Girl Show,” the story of a nice, determined Jewish girl from the East Coast seeking superstardom in Hollywood. Bailit co-wrote the show with Sherry Cohen, and Phil Ramuno (“Grace Under Fire”) directs. No one under 17 admitted. Wed. Through June 20. 8 p.m. (Wednesday), 7 p.m. (Sunday). $20. Sidewalk Studio Theatre, 4150 Riverside Drive, Burbank. (800) 838-3006. brownpapertickets.com.

THU | MAY 13

(THEATER)
Sibling writers Nora and Delia Ephron’s “Love, Loss and What I Wore” opens for a nearly two-month L.A. run at the Geffen Playhouse. A rotating cast of actresses — including Rita Wilson, Carol Kane and Natasha Lyonne — stars in vignettes based on the book by Ilene Beckerman. Thu. Through June 4. 8 p.m. (Thursday opening), Various times (Rest of dates). $69-$74. Geffen Playhouse, 10886 Le Conte Ave., Los Angeles. (310) 208-5454. geffenplayhouse.com.

(BOOKS)
Comedian and author Joel Chasnoff discusses, reads from and signs copies of “The 188th Crybaby Brigade,” a memoir of his experience in the tanks division of the Israeli army and his tour of duty in Lebanon. Sponsored by LimmudLA. Thu. 7:30 p.m. Free. RSVP to {encode=”specialevents@limmudla.org” title=”specialevents@limmudla.org”} for private Valley Village location. (310) 499-1787. limmudla.org.