7 Days in the Arts

7 days in the Arts, around Los Angeles.

[additional-authors]

Keren Engelberg

February 3, 2005

Saturday, February 5

What’s the deal with Jewish New York guys and their obsession with hip-hop? Obie-winning playwright, director and actor Danny Hoch breaks it down for us today at UCLA’s Royce Hall in “Hip-Hop Theatre: An Evening With Danny Hoch.” The versatile performer who grew up immersed in hip-hop culture in Queens offers insights on the subject and shows us some of his work, including “P.S.A.” from “HBO Def Poetry Jam,” and excerpts from his “Till the Break of Dawn” and “Jails, Hospitals and Hip-Hop.”

8 p.m. $20-$42. Royce Hall, UCLA, Westwood. (310) 825-2101.

Sunday, February 6

For many, the word shtetl conjures up the image of a bearded Topol shimmying with abandon, or perhaps of a lone fiddler on a roof. It’s the utmost compliment for an art director or production designer, and this afternoon, the American Cinematheque pays “Fiddler” production designer Robert Boyle one more with a special children’s matinee screening. Then stay for a Q-and-A with Boyle, a recipient of the Art Directors Guild Lifetime Achievement Award.

2 p.m. $6-$9. 6712 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles. (323) 692-3431.

Monday, February 7

Veteran feminist Gloria Steinem joins the new generation in conversation this evening. Jennifer Baumgardner and Amy Richards, co-authors of “Manifesta: Young Women, Feminism and the Future” (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2000), along with Steinem, offer “A Field Guide to Activism” at the downtown public library.

7 p.m. Free. Mark Taper Auditorium, Central Library, 630 W. Fifth St., Los Angeles.

Tuesday, February 8

Rita McKenzie’s coming up roses this week. The star of “Ethel Merman’s Broadway” sings those lyrics and other Merman classics in the show that recreates the life of the famed star of the Golden Age of Broadway. The show continues through this weekend only.

Feb. 2-13. $40-$45. San Fernando Valley Playhouse at El Portal Theatre 5269 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. (818) 764-2400.

Wednesday, February 9

Argentina’s Oscar pick may not have gotten the Academy’s nomination, but writer-director Daniel Burman’s film has gotten numerous other accolades. “Lost Embrace” (“El Abrazo Partido”), the story of a young Jewish man searching for personal identity within the multiethnic changing face of Buenos Aires, opens in Los Angeles this week.

Landmark NuWilshire Theatre, 1314 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica. (310) 281-8223.

Thursday, February 10

In addition to the plethora of Chiclets and partying underage college kids, TJ also surprisingly boasts a significant Jewish community. Tribe members inhabiting the border town are the subject of local filmmaker Isaac Artenstein’s documentary “Tijuana Jews,” which screens at this year’s San Diego Jewish Film Festival. Make the drive.

Feb. 10-20.

Friday, February 11

Jewish singletons take comfort this Valentine’s weekend in the form of “Scott’s Search for a Rose.” The one-man show about computer nerd and Clay Aiken look-alike Scott Rose’s search for geek love looks like a charmer.

8 p.m. $10. Fridays, through Feb. 25. Improv Olympic, 6366 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. (323) 962-7560.