May 8, 2008
Calendar Girl clicks and picks for May 10-16
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Passionate percussion and sizzling strings combine the exotic melodies of Spain, Latin America and the Middle East during an "Evening of Ethnic Music and World Rhythms" produced by local musician Jamie Papish. The Ava Nahas Percussion Ensemble will enchant audiences with their Lebanese/Egyptian-infused rhythms, which will roll into the rich repertoire of the Stefani Valdez Ensemble, a soulful blend of ethnic lore complemented by Stefani's sultry voice. The final set, performed by the IST West Ensemble, combines the fieriness of flamenco with the Turkish saz in a booming rhythmic ride that will send you home reeling. Wed. 8:30-11:15 p.m. $10. Temple Bar, 1026 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica. (310) 393-6611. http://www.myspace.com/jamiepapish and http://www.stefanivaladezmusic.com.
(PHOTOGRAPHY)
Most people moving to a new country are faced with the challenges of learning a new language, finding a job, adjusting to a different way of life, and so on. Not many, however, have to bridge a 400-year cultural gap. "The Ethiopian-Israeli Experience: 400 Years in 4 1/2 Hours" is a photography exhibit that illuminates the incredible journey -- both physical and psychological -- of thousands of Ethiopian Jews who were rescued from an ancient and oppressive way of life in Africa and brought to the startlingly modern cities of Israel. The photographs and artifacts, from the personal collections of people who have worked closely with Ethiopian immigrants, provide insight into these families' lives, transformed dramatically by a short four-and-a-half-hour flight. Wed. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Gallery is open Sun.-Fri. Through June 8. Free. Jewish Federation/Valley Alliance, Finegood Art Gallery at Bernard Milken Community Campus, 22622 Vanowen St., West Hills. (818) 464-3218.
THU | MAY 15
(CONCERT)
Watching the Israeli band, Esta, perform is like a lesson in international
musical instruments: They use a bouzouki (Greek lute), jumbush (Turkish string instrument), darbuka (Middle Eastern drum), bagpipes, electric guitars, oud (Arab lute), ney (Persian cane flute), duduk (Armenian double-reed), Thai mouth organ and -- the most impressive of all -- pots and pans (American). The blending of cultures in musical form is quite ubiquitous nowadays, but Esta has been doing it seamlessly since 1980. Accompanying the rich instrumentals at this concert marking Israel's 60th anniversary is recent addition Yarona Harel with her soulful voice (Israeli). Thu. 8 p.m. $20-$30. Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. (877) 722-4849. http://www.skirball.org. (ART)
At the tender age of 15, young artist Mona Gilardi has created a collection of colorful paintings that speak to both her feminine and Jewish sensibilities. Her significant body of work has been showcased in several California galleries and will grace the walls of Sephardic Temple Tifereth Israel beginning tonight at a reception celebrating "The Art of Mona Gilardi." Thu. 7:30 p.m. Free. Through July 25. Sephardic Temple Tifereth Israel, Levy Family Exhibit Center and Library, 10500 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 475-7311.
(ISRAEL@60)
This is how you celebrate Israel's birthday college style: invite Jewish revelers in the 18-26 set from all over Los Angeles to the hippest dance club in Hollywood, where all the marvels of college life will be in tow -- able-bodied students, dirty dancing and ample cocktails. Jewish College Night, hosted by UCLA's Bruins for Israel, promises to be the hippest student bash for Israel in SoCal. It kinda makes you wish you had kept your fake ID from college. Thu. 9 p.m. $10-$15 (online), $15-$20 (door). Level 3 Nightclub Hollywood, 6801 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 270-6337.
FRI | MAY 16
(CONFERENCE)
The romantic image of a heroic soldier coming home from war may work in myths
such as The Odyssey, but in real life those soldiers often return broken and traumatized. The Soldier's Project is a group of 100 volunteer psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists and social workers who provide free and confidential services to veterans suffering from clinical anxiety, depression, alcohol and drug abuse, divorce, homelessness, anger and all the other stressors typical of soldiers who have been through the horrors of war. Their first national conference, "Hidden Wounds of War: Pathways to Healing," will focus on this often overlooked topic and feature Rep. Bob Filner (D-Chula Vista) as the keynote speaker; Dr. Jonathan Shay, recipient of a MacArthur Foundation "genius award" for his pioneering research on the psychological impact of war, and a theater performance, "The Sand Storm: Stories From the Front," written and performed by Iraq veteran Sean Huze. Fri.-Sun. $75 (students), $200 (general). Scholarships available. Westin Bonaventure Hotel, 404 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles. (818) 761-7438. http://www.thesoldiersproject.org. (THEATER)
"Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions; fed with the same food, hurt with the same weapons, subject to the same diseases, heal'd by the same means, warm'd and cool'd by the same winter and summer as a Christian is?" These lines are some of the most eloquent words ever written by Shakespeare, delivered by the debatably offensive Shylock. Decide for yourself whether the great playwright's intentions were anti-Semitic or not in the Los Angeles City College Theatre Academy's modern version of the classic, "The Merchant of Venice." Directed by Louie Piday and starring Al Rossi as the money-lending, avenging Shylock. Fri. 8 p.m. Wed.-Sun. May 9-17. $6-$10. Los Angeles City College, Camino Theatre at the Theatre Academy, 855 N. Vermont Ave., Hollywood. (323) 953-4000, ext. 2990. http://theatreacademy.lacitycollege.edu.
Celia Soudry contributed to this article
