Picks and Clicks for April 4–10, 2009

SAT | APRIL 4

(CONCERT)

Gil Shaham

American-Israeli virtuoso violinist Gil Shaham will be performing on his rare 1699 “Countess Polignac” Stradivarius, joined by the chamber group, Sejong, a string ensemble of 15 accomplished musicians from eight nations. The concert will feature Haydn’s Violin Concertos in G, Haydn’s Violin Concertos in C and Mendelssohn’s Octet. Sat. 8 p.m. $20 (students), $36 (seniors), $45 (adults). California State University, Northridge, Plaza del Sol Performance Hall, 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge. (818) 677-2488. http://www.artsnorthridge.csun.com.

(FUNDRAISER)

Yad B’Yad, an organization that provides services to abused, abandoned and distressed children in Israel, is joining forces with Sababa parties to host a fundraising bash with a Passover twist, “Break Out the Matzah, It’s Partytime!” DJ’s Ziv and Titus, who regularly spin tunes at Sababa gatherings, will be playing hip-hop, house, Israeli music and ‘80s favorites. 21 and over. Sat. 9:30 p.m. $15 (before 10:30 p.m.), $20 (after). The Cow Jumped Over the Moon, 421 N. Rodeo Drive, lower level, Beverly Hills. (310) 657-6650. http://www.yadbyadla.org.

SUN | APRIL 5

(LECTURE)

Geert Wilders, a Dutch politician, wrote and commissioned “Fitna,” a 2008 short film that argues that Islam encourages terrorism, anti-Semitism and Islamic universalism. Banned from entering the United Kingdom and embroiled in various legal battles for his fierce anti-Islam rhetoric, Wilders is touring the United States on a trip to promote his ideas. Wilders will be the guest speaker at a breakfast (non-kosher) and screening of “Fitna,” sponsored by the David Horowitz Freedom Center, American Freedom Alliance and Children of Jewish Holocaust Survivors. Proceeds will go toward the Geert Wilders Legal Defense Fund. Sun. 10 a.m.-noon. $50. Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. Advance registration required, (818) 849-3470 ext. 209. https://www.acteva.com/go/dhfc.

Rami Kleinstein

(GATHERING)
Craig Taubman has evolved his “Let My People Sing” annual celebration of Jewish music into a series that hails all things Jewish: food, tikkun olam, nature, prayer and community. “Let My People Eat” on April 5 will be an afternoon of music, prayer and inspiration with Rabbi Ed Feinstein, Debbie Friedman, Rabbi David Wolpe, Larry Miller and others. Tapas, sangria and complimentary parking are included in this fundraiser benefiting Jewish Family Service Food and Hunger programs. “Let My People Sing,” with Israeli superstar Rami Kleinstein on April 10, “Let My People Pray,” on April 11 and “Let My People Walk,” with nature Rabbi Mike Comins on April 12, complete the series. Sun. 2:30-4:30 p.m. $100. La Loggia Ristorante, 11814 Ventura Blvd., Studio City. Advance registration required, (323) 761-8800 ext. 1217. .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). http://www.letmypeoplesing.com.

Rami Kleinstein-Winds Of War

Mon | APRIL 6

(BOOK TOUR)
For seven years, writer Hank Rosenfeld shadowed screenwriter Irving Brecher and recorded his hilarious and sometimes horrible anecdotes about working with Hollywood legends Groucho Marx, Judy Garland, Jackie Gleason, George Burns, Milton Berle, Jack Benny and others. The result is “The Wicked Wit of the West,” a tribute to humor, moviemaking and the late Brecher, who died in November 2008. Rosenfeld will appear at events across the Southland, including tonight’s book signing at the Beverly Hills Forum Lecture Series, April 13 at Peet’s Coffee in Beverly Hills and May 9 at Book Soup. Mon. 7:30 p.m. Free. City Council Chambers, Beverly Hills City Hall, 455 N. Rexford Drive. (310) 285-6830. http://www.beverlyhills.org/bhforum.

WED | APRIL 8

(PASSOVER)

Curtis Lovell II

Magician and escape artist Curtis Lovell II will be recreating the Ten Plagues for Temple Isaiah of Newport Beach’s “The Magic of Passover Seder.” The illusionist, who has been buried alive, tossed into the Singapore River and cut Paris Hilton in half, will be the highlight of a Passover seder that combines tradition with modern-day entertainment. Wed. 6:30 p.m. $10 (children), $50 (adults). Orange County Fair and Events Center, Building No. 16, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa. (714) 644-1371. http://www.templeisaiahoc.org.

THU | APRIL 9

(PASSOVER)

Rebbe Soul

ATID’s second night Passover seder, titled “The Journey Continues,” will be an evening of music and discussion, storytelling and socializing. Rabbi Brian Schuldenfrei will lead the seder for young professionals, ages 21-39, featuring musical guest RebbeSoul. Singles and couples are welcome. Thu. 6:30 p.m. $34 (members), $39 (general). Sinai Temple, Barad Hall, 10400 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. Advance registration required, (310) 481-3244. http://www.atidla.org.

FRI | APRIL 10

(THEATER)

“The Bitter Herbs,” a new comedy by playwright Mark Troy, is a play divided into five distinct comedies, each with their own plot depicting dysfunctional Jewish life in America. Timed to coincide with the gathering of dysfunctional families everywhere for Passover, the comedies take on neurotic mothers, a bored married couple, newlyweds, a long-lost brother and a pseudo-naked production of “Fiddler on the Roof.” Fri. and Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m. Through May 2. $20. Sidewalk Studio Theatre, 4150 Riverside Drive, Toluca Lake. (818) 558-5702. http://www.sidewalkstudiotheatre.com.