May 21, 2008
Calendar Girls picks and clicks for May 24-30
Follow JewishJournal.com on 
(FILM)
Unless you've been living under some ancient ruins, you've probably already
heard that America's favorite archaeologist is back in action on the silver screen. The newest Indy adventure, "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull," is now playing in theaters to undoubtedly ecstatic audiences. The never-aging, eternally handsome Harrison Ford plays professor Jones, who has an adorable new sidekick -- Mutt Williams -- played by Shia LaBeouf of "Transformers" fame. LaBeouf, who grew up eating matzah ball gumbo as a result of his mixed Cajun and Jewish background, started his career as a 9-year-old stand-up comedian and starred in Disney's hit series, "Even Stevens." Apparently, the young actor has a thing for Stevens -- Indiana Jones is the second Steven Spielberg film he's been in. Not a bad career move at all. Check local listings for show times, theater locations and ticket prices. http://www.indianajones.com.(THEATER)
Living in a time when far too many of us are suspicious of a stranger's offer to help, along comes a play that hopes to change our cynicism. In the hit 1937 musical comedy "I'd Rather Be Right," it's not a stranger who helps those in need but President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who meets a young couple in Central Park and balances the country's financial budget to help them get married. The comedy is based on the book by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart, with lyrics by Rodgers and Hart. Thu.-Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 3 p.m. Through June 1. $30. The Hudson Mainstage Theatre, 6539 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood. (323) 960-4429. http://www.plays411.com/bygeorge.
SUN | MAY 25
(MITZVAH)
The Iranian American community is reaching out to American troops in Iraq during
a Memorial Day weekend mitzvah event, "You, Me & Our Troops." Nessah Young Professionals and Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters of Los Angeles will come together to assemble 1,000 care packages and personal letters of support that will be delivered to military men and women overseas. This thoughtful, important cause is both an opportunity to do a good deed and connect with other members of the Los Angeles Jewish family. Sun. Noon-6 p.m. Free. Nessah Synagogue,142 S. Rexford Drive, Beverly Hills. (310) 273-2400. http://www.nessah.org.(ART)
East Los Angeles' punk music scene of the late '70s and early '80s activated a new cultural aesthetic with attitude. Music mixed with poetry. Visual art met sound. And a group of wildly experimental women innovated at the forefront of this cultural phenomenon. An ode to the period, the documentary-style exhibit "Vexing: Female Voices from East L.A. Punk" features photo, video and audio archives, paintings, installations, writings and performances. Accompanying "Vexing" is Jerusalem-born, Los Angeles-based artist Maya Schindler's "Blah, Blah, Blah Revolution," a text-riddled, outdoor sculptural piece that invites the viewer to reject apathy and choose activism. Sun. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Through Aug. 31. $3. Claremont Museum of Art, 536 W. First St., Claremont. (909) 621-3200. http://www.claremontmuseum.org.
MON | MAY 26
(INTERFAITH PRAYER)
On a day that commemorates the losses of war, at a time when religious clashes are responsible for much unrest in the world, clergy -- from the Christian, Jewish and Muslim faiths -- will unite in prayer for peace. The Abrahamic Faiths Peacemaking Initiative, formed by a group of interfaith religious leaders and designed to encourage religious communities to be peace advocates, will broadcast via satellite a Memorial Day Interfaith Prayer Service throughout the Middle East. Rabbi Sharon Brous of IKAR, a religious community devoted to the intersection of spirituality and social justice, will offer her thoughts on how dignity, justice and compassion pave the way for peace among all peoples. Mon. 11 a.m. Free. All Saints Church, 132 N. Euclid Ave., Pasadena. (626) 583-2781.
TUE | MAY 27
(DIALOGUE)
What does it mean to be pro-Israel? This is a question that has lingered in the
thoughts of The Journal's own Editor-in-Chief Rob Eshman, who recently discussed this on 89.3 KPCC. "The truth is," Eshman said, "too many of us love Israel like young girls love Miley Cyrus, like women love George Clooney, like white guys love Springsteen. We swoon. We idealize. We have a crush." Join Marcia Freedman, founding president of Brit Tzedek v'Shalom, the Jewish Alliance for Justice and Peace, in a dialogue discussing "What Does It Mean To Be Pro-Israel?" Freedman has been an outspoken advocate for women's issues and is now an adviser to JStreet and the JStreetPAC, organizations supporting Israel and its desire for peace. Tue. 7:30 p.m. Free. Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center, 1434 N. Altadena Drive, Pasadena. (626) 798-1161 or http://www.pjtc.net.(AWARDS DINNER)
The Friendship Circle, an organization that enriches the lives of both special-needs children and the program's teen volunteers, is hosting its fifth annual Evening of Recognition to honor all 222 of its dedicated volunteers. Teens from more than 30 public and private schools in Los Angeles have spent time playing, talking, teaching and entertaining children with developmental problems. They've led art classes, played sports, sung songs, organized holiday programs for the entire family, staffed a special-needs winter camp and even taught kung fu. Tonight's program, open to the entire community, will pay special tribute to Club Kung Fu and Danit Namvar, winner of the Leader of Tomorrow Award. Tue. 6:30 p.m. (reception), 7:15 p.m. (dinner and program). $180. Nessah Synagogue, 142 S. Rexford Drive, Beverly Hills. (310) 277-3252. http://www.fcla.org.
(CONCERT)
We can thank the Israel at 60 festivities for the inordinate influx of famous musical talent from Israel, from the star-studded Kodak celebration where Noa, Rami Kleinstein and Idan Raichel shook the stage to the ultra-chic nightclub Avalon in Hollywood where Israeli rock stars Mashina will heat up the dance floor with their ska-infused reggae punk. Los Angeles-based Israeli cover band ram2 will also perform along with DJs Daniel and Udi Maya, who will spin their electro-trance house beats for the 18-and-older crowd. Tue. 7:30 p.m. $55. Avalon Hollywood, 1735 Vine St., Hollywood. (323) 462-8900. http://www.wanttickets.com.
(FESTIVAL)
Los Angeles is an active breeding ground for emerging composers, such as Stephen Schwartz, who wrote the music for "Wicked." Schwartz is one of the many composers who are participating in the two-month long "Festival of New American Musicals." Featured in the festival is a cleverly composed re-telling of the biblical Noah's Ark story, with musical score by Glen Roven. Writer Jerome Kass tweaks the tale, placing five family members on the rooftop of their home in the midst of a devastating flood. Norman, the patriarch, calms his desperate wife and children by telling the story of Noah's Ark, changing it to "Norman's Ark." The festival also includes an array of staged readings, workshops, cabaret performances, concerts and classes in theaters and colleges throughout Southern California. Norman's Ark: Tue. 8:30 p.m. Through June 8. $34-$65. John Anson Ford Theatres, 2580 Cahuenga Blvd., East Los Angeles.
