Calendar picks and clicks: March 8–March 18, 2011

THU | MARCH 10

SORAYA SARAH NAZARIAN
The sculptor and Nazarian family matriarch presents a 25-year survey of her work, in “Strength Revealed.” The exhibition, curated by Barbara Gilbert, curator emerita of the Skirball Cultural Center, explores Nazarian’s artistic progression from mastering the human form to exploring abstraction and non-objectivity. Proceeds benefit the Soraya Sarah Nazarian Artists Initiative, a program designed to assist artists with obtaining studio and exhibition space in the L.A. area. Thu. Through April 24. Free. 6-9 p.m. (exhibition opening). Gallery 817, 817 N. Hilldale Ave., West Hollywood. (323) 936-1447.

FRI | MARCH 11

“HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER”
When a foreign worker at Jerusalem’s largest bakery is killed in a suicide bombing, the bakery is accused of indifference and sends its HR manager to the victim’s hometown in Romania to make amends. Winner of five Israeli Academy Awards, including best picture, this tragicomedy by director Eran Riklis (“Lemon Tree”) follows the HR manager as he journeys far from home and rediscovers his humanity. Fri. Laemmle’s Town Center 5, 17200 Ventura Blvd., Encino. (818) 981-9811. laemmle.com.

SUN | MARCH 13

“A FLAME THAT KEEPS BURNING”
Fire raged through the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory in New York City, killing 146 workers — mostly young Jewish and Italian women and children — on March 25, 1911. The largest industrial tragedy in New York history, the fire sparked a national movement for workers’ rights that continues today. Now through March 27, numerous events commemorating the anniversary of the tragedy will take place throughout the city (for a full list, visit jewishjournal.com/picks_clicks). Today, an original program of drama, poetry and music explores the legacy of the fire. Presented by the L.A. Laborfest, the Sholem Community, Progressive Jewish Alliance and Arbeter Ring/Workmen’s Circle. Sun. 10:30 a.m.-noon. Free. Westside Neighborhood School, 5401 Beethoven St., Los Angeles. (818) 760-6625. rememberthetrianglefire.org.

Click here for more Triangle Shirtwaist fire commemoration events around Los Angeles.

BAR AND BAT MITZVAH EXPO
Get ideas for decorating, party favors, food, entertainment and mitzvah projects at today’s expo for families planning a bar or bat mitzvah. All proceeds benefit Heschel West Day School. Sun. 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Free. Hyatt Westlake Plaza, 880 Westlake Blvd., Westlake Village. (818) 707-2365. heschelwest.com.

BIG SUNDAE
Big Sunday sponsors its first (delicious) fundraiser at its Melrose offices. The event will feature a make-your-own ice cream sundae station, wine and cheese, arts and crafts, music and — true to the giving spirit of Big Sunday — community service opportunities. Sun. 2-5 p.m. $25 (individuals), $100 (families). 6111 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles. (323) 549-9944. bigsunday.org.

VASHTI’S BANQUET
Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center Sisterhood re-creates an ancient harem — complete with Persian food, entertainment, pampering and belly dancing — for today’s Purim party. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Haven House, Jewish Family Service’s shelter for battered women and their children. Sun. 2-5 p.m. $36 (advance), $40 (door). Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center, 1434 N. Altadena Drive, Pasadena. (626) 355-9672. pjtc.net.

“LEAVE YOUR GROGGER AT HOME”
Vista Inspire’s sensory-friendly pre-Purim celebration is designed for families with special-needs children. This “no grogger a-loud” experience will include a costume parade and a multimedia theatrical retelling of the Purim story. Open to the public. Sun. 3-5 p.m. $6 (includes kosher snacks). The Temple at Vista Del Mar Child & Family Services, 3200 Motor Ave., Los Angeles. RSVP to (310) 836-1223, ext. 322. vistadelmar.org.

“THIS IS YOUR LIFE”
In 1953, Holocaust survivor Hanna Bloch Kohner became the first Holocaust survivor to tell her story on national television when she appeared on the popular program “This Is Your Life.” The episode featuring Kohner, along with two other episodes featuring Holocaust survivors, screens tonight during the 2011 UCLA Festival of Preservation. A discussion follows with Kohner’s daughter, Julie Kohner, founder of Voices of the Generations, and Dan Einstein, an Emmy-winning television archivist at UCLA. Sun. 7 p.m. $10. Billy Wilder Theater, Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 825-5761. cinema.ucla.edu.

MON | MARCH 14

“HAVE JEWS GIVEN UP ON THE TEN COMMANDMENTS?”
This TRIBE Live! panel discussion features Israeli writer David Hazony, Rabbi David Woznica of Stephen S. Wise Temple and Carol Bakhos, associate professor of Near Eastern languages and culture at UCLA. A food and beverage reception follows. Mon. 7-10 p.m. $10 (suggested donation). RSVP required at {encode=”eventinfo@jewishjournal.com” title=”eventinfo@jewishjournal.com”}. Writers Guild Theater, 135 S. Doheny Drive, Beverly Hills. (213) 368-1661, ext. 251.

THU | MARCH 17

“the activist supreme court”
Erwin Chemerinsky, founding dean at the UC Irvine School of Law, is the featured speaker during a colloquium event organized by the Plato Society of UCLA. Q-and-A follows. Thu. 12:45 p.m. (coffee, tea and cookies reception), 1:30 p.m. (lecture). Free. Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 794-0231. uclaextension.edu/plato.

“FDR”
Ed Asner, the award-winning actor best known as television’s Lou Grant, stars in a one-night-only performance. Based on the play “Sunrise at Campobello,” this one-man show follows the 32nd president as he reflects on his years in office, from inauguration to World War II. Thu. 8 p.m. $15-$55. Valley Performing Arts Center, 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge. (818) 677-8800. valleyperformingartscenter.org.

FRI | MARCH 18

BLUEGRASS SHABBAT
Celebrate in country-western fashion. Chazzan Mike Stein (guitar, fiddle and lead yodels) and his sons Justin Stein (bass) and Jared Stein (fiddle) perform during tonight’s service, along with musicians Fred Sokolow (mandolin and dobro) and Pat Cloud (banjo). Fri. 8:15 p.m. Free. Temple Aliyah, 6025 Valley Circle Blvd., Woodland Hills. (818) 346-3545. templealiyah.org.