January 24, 2008
The Calendar Girls: Picks, kicks and plugs
January 26 to February 1
Follow JewishJournal.com on 
(Page 2 - Previous Page)
http://www.hillel818.org.(ADVENTURE)
Dan Mazur was two hours away from the top of the world -- on Mount Everest -- when he surrendered his dream to save one man's life. Dan Mazur: The Ethics of Going for the Summit brings the renowned Everest climber to Malibu, where he'll regale a group with his extraordinary tale of risk, hope and sacrifice. From the highest peaks in the world to the deepest empathy of the heart, Mazur's journey reveals how far people will go for adventure -- and further still for humanity. 7:30 p.m. $36 (adults), $10 (children/students). Malibu Jewish Center, 24855 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu. (310) 456-2178. http://www.mjcs.org.
(DRAMA)
Moises Kaufman began researching "The Laramie Project" in November 1998, shortly after college student Matthew Shepard was fatally beaten for being openly gay. The play draws on hundreds of interviews with Laramie locals to explore how the community coped with such a heinous hate crime. Staged by Pepperdine's theater department, "Laramie Project" captures the fragility of social relationships and the beliefs of ordinary citizens on issues of faith, forgiveness, sexual politics and the important difference between tolerance and acceptance. 7:30 p.m., through Feb. 2. $10-$15. Pepperdine University, Helen E. Lindhurst Theatre, 24255 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu. (310) 506-4522 or (213) 365-5300. http://www.pepperdine.edu/arts.
(PHOTOGRAPHY)
You may know Leonard Nimoy as Spock from the "Star Trek" series. But Nimoy is also a prolific photographer whose work is displayed in modern art museums around the world. At "Hammer Conversations: Natalie Angier and Leonard Nimoy" he'll discuss his most recent work, a book of photographs entitled, "Full Body Project," which includes a forward by the Pulitzer Prize-winning Angier and countless provocative photos of scantily clad zaftig women. One image, "Homage to Ritts," is a full-figured recreation of fashion photographer Herb Ritts' famous shot of threadbare supermodels clustered together. 7 p.m. Free. Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 443-7000. http://www.hammer.ucla.edu.
WED | JANUARY 30
(COMEDY)
The Sultans of Satire return with highly politicized shtick that imbues ordinarily tense subjects like terror, strife and violence with a wallop of humor. Comedians with a Middle Eastern lineage -- from Israeli American Iris Bahar to Palestinian Mormon Aron Kader -- prove that playfulness is a precursor in this recurring comedy show. 8 p.m. $18. The Improv, 8162 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles. (310) 657-5511 or http://www.levantinecenter.org.(LECTURE)
No matter how high American Jews of the 1920s climbed on the ladder of success, some continued to identify with marginalized groups, explains National Jewish Book Award-winner Michael Alexander. He delves into the Jewish identity of three such men -- actor Al Jolson, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Felix Frankfurter and mobster Arnold Rothstein -- in his talk "Mammy, Don't Ya Know Me?" His book, "Jazz Age Jews," discusses how these heroic members of society captivated the Jewish community and indelibly molded the jazz age. 7-9 p.m. Free. USC Davidson Conference Center, Board Room, 3415 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles. (213) 740-3405. http://web-app.usc.edu/ecal/custom/32/.
THU | JANUARY 31
(BOOK SIGNING)
You might have driven past the flower-painted tower on the edge of Beverly Hills High School many times and never given it a second thought. But Joy Horowitz's book, "Parts Per Million: The Poisoning of Beverly Hills High School," might change that. The veteran journalist spent four years investigating the active oil wells and power plant near the tony high school and the alarming number of alumni and faculty who have fallen terminally ill in what appears to be a cancer cluster. The Environmental Relief Center has chosen Horowitz as their "Environmental Hero for 2008" and is sponsoring tonight's presentation and book signing. 7 p.m. Free. Beverly Hills Public Library, 444 N. Rexford Drive, Beverly Hills. (818) 762-5852.
(FILM)
The trailer
At a time when the state of Israel was as vulnerable as a newborn, its fourth prime minister, Golda Meir, took it upon herself to be the nation's nurturing mother. Valerie Harper stars in "Golda's Balcony," director Jeremy Kagan's adaptation of the long-running one-woman Broadway play by Tony Award-winner William Gibson. 7 p.m. $75 (screening), $125 (dinner and desert reception). Writer's Guild Theater, 135 S. Doheny Drive, Beverly Hills. (310) 836-6140, ext. 108 or 113. http://www.goldasbalconythefilm.com/
(MUSIC)
Immerse yourself in a Middle Eastern blend of music and harmony with Persian singer Mamak Khadem as she crosses the cultural divide among Iran, Turkey, Kurdistan, Armenia and Greece. Khadem invites the geographical regions to unite on one creative platform as she promotes her newest album, "Jostojoo" (Forever Seeking). Along with her multinational ensemble, Khadem melds melodies with verses of Persian poetry in an evening of song. 8 p.m. $20 (students), $25 (Skirball members), $30 (general). Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 North Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. (877) 722-4849. http://www.skirball.org.
(YOUTH ART SHOW)
Showcasing the best artists from Long Beach middle and high schools, the 24th Annual Gottlieb Youth Art Show is a juried competition sponsored by the Alpert JCC that celebrates the talent of youths who are eligible for awards and prizes. 6:30-8 p.m. (artist reception). 9 a.m.-10 p.m. (Monday-Thursday), 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (weekends). Through Feb. 20. Free and open to the community. Alpert JCC, Pauline and Zena Gatov Gallery, 3801 E. Willow St., Long Beach. (562) 426-7601 ext. 1067. http://www.alpertjcc.org.
FRI | FEBRUARY 1
(MARDI GRAS PARTY)
Break out the boas and beads, 'cuz it's Mardi Gras time! Date in L.A. is hosting a wild and crazy New Orleans-style bash with a live band and DJ, prizes, raffles, a chocolate fountain, cocktails, munchies and, of course, tons of beads. The 102.7 KIIS Street Team will join the party with a truck full of their own surprises, so come ready to flash those pearly white teeth. Proceeds from the party will be donated to Direct Relief International to help victims of the California fires and Hurricane Katrina. Ages 30-55. 8 p.m.-1 a.m. $35 (use the code "JewishJournal" when purchasing tickets online to get $5 off each ticket!). Skirball Cultural Center, Ahmanson Ballroom, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 440-4574.
