7 Days in The Arts

7 Days in The Arts: music, theatre, film, books, events, los angeles.

[additional-authors]

Keren Engelberg

November 24, 2005

Saturday, November 26

Artist Joyce Weiss’ paintings may give you that déjà vu feeling for a couple of reasons. Her latest works, showcased in her “Dreamscapes” exhibition at the Alpert JCC’s Gatov Gallery, are meant to evoke “the fantasies that elude us in our waking hours.” Or, it could be that you’ve seen similar works of hers on “Friends” or “NYPD Blue.”

3601 E. Willow St., Long Beach. (562) 426-7601.

Sunday, November 27

A two-fer worth checking out today is Laurelgrove Theatre Company’s “States of Mind,” a production of two Yale Udoff plays titled “Nebraska” and “The Little Gentleman.” The plays shed light on mankind’s selfish tendencies, whether in the scope of world politics, or the family home.

3 p.m. (Sun.), 8 p.m. (Fri. and Sat.). $20. Hollywood Court Theatre, Hollywood United Methodist Church, 6717 Franklin Ave., Los Angeles. R.S.V.P., (323) 692-8200.

Monday, November 28

In an oil on canvas titled, “Red Heifer III: The Presenter (We Come in Peace),” a woman sits, with an olive leaf in her mouth, astride a red heifer. It’s a thought-provoking and provocative image, and the one the artist Karen Leibowitz, chose to represent her latest exhibition of paintings and drawings. It, as well as her other images of women in Jewish mythology, can be seen at UCLA Hillel’s Dortort Center for Creativity in the Arts.

10 a.m.-4 p.m. (Mon.-Fri.). 574 Hilgard Ave., Los Angeles. (310) 208-3081.

Tuesday, November 29

To hear works of L.A. Jewish composers exclusively, attend the Jewish Music Commission of Los Angeles’ “A Little Jewish Night Music” this evening. The classical music of Aminadav Aloni and Robert Strassberg, as well as a world premiere of composer, producer and symphonic conductor Michael Isaacson’s “The Shul in My Right Mind,” will be performed.

7:30 p.m. Valley Beth Shalom, 15739 Ventura Blvd., Encino. (818) 788-6000.

Wednesday, November 30

The 21st Israel Film Festival’s opening gala happens tonight, with the showcase of Israeli films continuing through Dec. 15. Attend this evening’s festivities, honoring important contributors to Israeli cinema, then catch the screening of “What a Wonderful Place,” Israel’s official entry for best foreign language film at the 78th Academy Awards.

$100 (gala), $7-$10 (general admission), $40 (festival pass).

Thursday, November 24

Michael Raynor’s acclaimed one-man show, “Who Is Floyd Stearn,” has returned to Hollywood. Follow Raynor’s journey as he seeks answers about the biological father who died before he had a chance to know him. Was Floyd a brilliant engineer or a bum, a loving father or a deadbeat dad?

$20. Elephant Theatre, 6322 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood. R.S.V.P., (323) 960-1052.

Friday, December 2

Released the same year as Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of the Christ,” the documentary “Sister Rose’s Passion” tells the lesser-known story of Dominican nun Sister Rose Thering, who battled anti-Semitism in the church her whole life, and played an integral role in the drafting of Nostra Aetate, the document that positively changed the Catholic Church’s position on Jews. The film’s director, Oren Jacoby, presents a screening as part of ALOUD at the Central Library.

7 p.m. Free. Central Library, Mark Taper Auditorium, Fifth and Flower streets, Los Angeles.