Calendar Picks and Clicks for June 24–July 2, 2010

THU | JUNE 24

(LECTURE)
“Power, Perception and Prejudice: A Conversation With Jane Elliot” features a lecture by the teacher, activist and creator of the “blue eyes-brown eyes” training exercise, which promoted ideals of tolerance and social equality during the civil rights era. A Q-and-A with Elliot follows. Thu. 7:30 p.m. $20. Museum of Tolerance, 9786 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 772-2505. museumoftolerance.com.

FRI | JUNE 25

(LECTURE)
Comedian, actress and author Sarah Silverman (“The Bedwetter: Stories of Courage, Redemption and Pee”) joins writer and KPCC personality Sandra Tsing Loh for a Writers Bloc discussion. Fri. 7:30 p.m. $20. Writers Guild Theatre, 135 S. Doheny Drive, Beverly Hills. writersblocpresents.com.

(FILM)
British Iranian comic Omid Djalili (“Sex and the City 2”) plays a Muslim who suffers an identify crisis after discovering his birth mother was Jewish in “The Infidel,” which screens for the Tribeca Film Festival’s inaugural showcase in Los Angeles. Fri. Through July 1. 7:30 p.m. $11. Laemmle Sunset 5, 8000 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. (310) 478-3836. laemmle.com

SAT | JUNE 26

(MUSIC)
Guitarist Dave Navarro (Jane’s Addiction, Camp Freddy) headlines Bet Tzedek’s 14th annual Justice Ball with DJ Skribble, who gained notoriety as the in-house spinner for MTV, and special guest DJ Alex Merrell. But wait, there’s more. The evening also features “Guitar Hero” and “DJ Hero” battles, JDate speed-dating sessions, a temporary-tattoo parlor, go-go dancers and a full bar. Sat. 9 p.m. $75 (general), $150 (VIP). Hollywood Palladium, 6215 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles. thejusticeball.org.

(FILM)
Aaron, a butcher in Jerusalem’s ultra-Orthodox community, tries to deny his same-sex attraction to a young yeshiva student in director Haim Tabakman’s “Eyes Wide Open.” Once he surrenders, the father of four is torn between his religious responsibilities and his desires. Laemmle’s Sunset 5, 8000 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. (310) 478-3836. laemmle.com.

(THEATER)
Henry Jaglom’s “Just 45 Minutes From Broadway” follows Betsy Isaac, a practical woman who, despite her Yiddish theater lineage, hates show business. When Betsy brings her business-minded fiancé home to meet the folks, she finds her future husband drawn into the histrionics of her dramatic clan. Sat. Through Sept. 19. 8 p.m. (Fri. and Sat.), 5 p.m. (Sun.). $25. Edgemar Center for the Arts, 2437 Main St., Santa Monica. (310) 392-7327. edgemarcenter.org.

SUN | JUNE 27

(FILM)

Director Joel Schumacher appears in person to introduce a 25th anniversary screening of “St. Elmo’s Fire,” his 1985 Brat Pack coming-of-age drama about seven friends struggling with the responsibilities of life after college. The event is part of American Cinematheque’s tribute to Schumacher. Sun. 7:30 p.m. $11. Aero Theatre, 1328 Montana Ave., Santa Monica. (323) 634-4878. americancinematheque.com.

MON | JUNE 28

(THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED)

Christopher Hitchens, a polarizing writer who turns subjects like the Clintons, Mother Teresa and God into targets, gets an introduction tonight from someone who’s no stranger to controversy: actor-director Sean Penn. In conversation with Steve Wasserman, former editor of the Los Angeles Times Book Review, Hitchens, who recently released his memoir, “Hitch-22,” tackles himself and shares his life story during ALOUD’s “An Evening With Christopher Hitchens.” Mon. 8 p.m. $17.50-$25. Aratani/Japan America Theatre, 244 S. San Pedro St., downtown. (213) 680-3700. jaccc.org.

THU | JULY 1

(ART)
A new exhibition of oil paintings by Sephardic Jewish artist Renee Amitai relates the spiritual journey of a life spent in France, Israel and the United States. Thu. Through Aug. 8. Noon-5 p.m. (Wed.-Sun.). Free. LA Artcore Gallery at the Union Center for the Arts, 120 Judge John Aiso St., downtown. (213) 617-3274. laartcore.org.

(MUSIC)
London-based singer-songwriter and alt-comedian Earl Okin, a veteran solo act with a cult fan base, brings his one-man music-comedy shtick to Los Angeles. Thu. 7:30 p.m. $25. Fields Pianos Recital Hall, 12121 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 476-6735.

FRI | JULY 2

(SINGLES)
Mix and mingle during a potluck Shabbat dinner (vegetarian/dairy) organized by Peter Small, a board member at Temple Isaiah in Newport Beach. Attendees enjoy a post-dinner Shabbat service as well as a special program in honor of Independence Day featuring live impersonations of American historical figures. Fri. 6 p.m. Free. Temple Isaiah of Newport Beach, 2401 Irvine Ave., Newport Beach. (949) 583-1905.