7 Days in The Arts

7 days in the arts.

[additional-authors]

Keren Engelberg

July 7, 2005

Saturday, July 9

It’s boys vs. girls tonight. The Friars of Beverly Hills along with National Lampoon Radio personalities Adam Gilad and Kent Emmons host “Gender Smackdown,” which they’re billing as “an upscale comedy singles event featuring some of the hippest young comics on the scene.” You’ll nosh, you’ll schmooze, you’ll laugh so hard you’ll plotz.

7 p.m.-midnight. Friars of Beverly Hills, 900 Little Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills. R.S.V.P., (310) 271-0023.

Sunday, July 10

A holiday on the Champs Elysee would be tres bon, but for those who can’t get away, French-born singer Maya Schwartz presents a bit of culture Français right here in L.A. The Holocaust survivor sings “A Panorama of French Ballads” this afternoon at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Santa Monica.

3 p.m. $12. 1260 18th St., Santa Monica. (818) 776-8784.

Monday, July 11

Kids harness their chi and get in touch with their artistic and physical selves thanks to the University of Judaism’s new ArtYoga for Kids program. Camp starts today and culminates on July 22 with a special art exhibit and yoga demonstration put on by the young yogis themselves.

15600 Mulholland Drive, Bel Air. (310) 471-7105.

Tuesday, July 12

For a sneak peak of Johnny Depp’s pale-faced Willy Wonka, head to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Samuel Goldwyn Theater today. Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services and the Wallis Foundation present a benefit screening of the new “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” complete with updated Oompah Loompahs and what looks to be a more psychedelic trip through the old candyland.

6 p.m. $50-$150. 8949 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills. (310) 836-1223, ext. 238.

Wednesday, July 13

Sunday marked Sylvia Cooper’s official solo debut into the art world, as well as her 90th birthday. The nonagenarian’s individual exhibition at BGH Gallery, “Embracing 90 Years: The Artistry of Sylvia Cooper,” displays an oil painting as well as various silk screens and stone sculptures, three of which are on loan from the Skirball Museum’s collection. If you missed the opening reception Sunday evening, you can still see the art, which is on view through Aug. 7.

Bergamot Station Building D4, 2525 Michigan Ave., Santa Monica. (310) 315-9502.

Thursday, July 14

Among those “outing” themselves at this year’s Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, “Outfest 2005,” are three Jewish entries. Screening today and July 10, “Keep Not Silent” focuses on the hardships of three lesbian women trying to remain a part of Jerusalem’s Orthodox Jewish community in which they’ve been raised. Also screening this week, “The Lady in Question Is Charles Busch” is a documentary about Busch, a Jewish actress known for her roles in plays like “Vampire Lesbians of Sodom” and films like “Die Mommie Die”; and “Good Boys,” another Israeli documentary, this one about the lives of two Israeli hustlers.

Friday, July 15

The Say the Word Comedy Festival launches their new seven-show series at the Skirball today. “WHAT!?: Seven Profound Questions Vital to the Future of Humanity” showcases top Hollywood writers and comedians asking a new question each month. Kicking off the series is tonight’s big question: “Can I Help You?” and features Rob Cohen (“The Ben Stiller Show”), Jason Kordelos (“Mad TV”), Evan Handler (“Sex and the City”) and Wendy Goldman (“Casual Sex?”, “The Bad Girls Guide”).

8 p.m. $8-$15. Ages 21+. 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. (866) 468-3399.