Thursday, December 8
How Great Filmmakers Inspire Great Filmmakers, writer and director Paul Haggis introduces and speaks on Jon-Luc Godard’s “Breathless 1960,” Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., 7:30 p.m., (866) 468-3339.
Friday, December 9
Winter Feast for the Eyes,” Tom Brennan Collage Art Exhibit, The Design Center, 1119 Colorado Ave., 6 – 10 p.m., (310) 394-5256.
Star of Wonder, a look at possible explanations for the Star of Bethlehem – also December 16 at Santa Monica College’s popular Friday night astronomy series. 8 p.m. and is preceded by “The Night Sky Show” Drescher Hall, 1900 Pico Blvd. (310) 434-3000.
Westside Ballet’s The Nutcracker, Benefit to Aid Habitat for Humanity’s Katrina Fund, Wadsworth Theatre is expected to yield $60,000, the cost of building a three-bedroom, two bathroom house in New Orleans. Also showing Saturday, December 10: 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, December 11: 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m., $27 and children (12 and under) $17, (310) 828-2018.
Tali Ilan, “The Secret Properties of the Earth,” opening reception, 8 – 10 p.m., On the Path Gallery, 1418 2nd Street, (310) 434-1995.
Mineo Mizuno and Jimi Gleason at Patricia Faure Gallery, through January 14, Bergamot Station, (310) 449-1479.
Saturday, December 10
Dan Kopp’s first exhibition and landscape of “leftover color chips of an army of abstractioners – painters, architects and sculptors,” and Charles Lang’s new sculpture, photography and video, Shoshana Wayne Gallery, through January 28, Bergamot Station, (310) 453-7535.
The Breakup Notebook: The Lesbian Musical, through Sunday, January 15 at the Hudson Backstage Theatre, 6539 Santa Monica Blvd in Hollywood. (323) 960-5563.
The Worker Variations: Piano and Choral Concert, Workmen’s Circle/Arbeter Ring, 8 p.m., 1525 S. Robertson Blvd., (310) 552-2007.
La Virgen Art Exhibit Artists come together to exhibit their interpretation of La Virgen, through December 31st, Picture This, Gallery & Custom Framing, 4130 Norse Way, Long Beach, (562) 425-4861.
Ten Women, Holiday Open House, share holiday cheer, explore the gallery, Ten Women, 1237 Abbott Kinney Blvd., Venice, 6 – 10 p.m.
Sunday, December 11
Holiday Gift Sale, Workmen’s Circle/Arbeter Ring, 1525 S. Robertson Blvd., (310) 552-2007.
Fowler Museum Offers a Free Stilt-Walking Workshop in conjunction with the exhibition ¡CARNAVAL! Kids in the Courtyard Series: Stilt Walking Bring the kids to this drop-in workshop to learn the basics of stilt walking from professionals. 1-4 p.m. Easy parking is available for $8 in Lot 4. (310) 825-4361.
Robert Schenkkan’s “Lewis and Clark Reach the Euphrates,” World Premiere Production, through January 22, 2006, at the Mark Taper Forum downtown at the Los Angeles Music Center. $20 to $55 (213) 628-2772.
Monday, December 12
Floodgate, written and directed by the great Larry Gelbart, one night only, The Geffen Playhouse, 7:30 p.m., proceeds to benefit Pen USA, Geffen Playhouse, 10886 Le Conte Ave. in Westwood. Tickets range from $50 – $250 and include a post-show dessert reception. (310) 208-5454 or visit www.geffenplayhouse.com.
Tuesday, December 13
Holiday Student Art Sale at Santa Monica College, also December 14th, 11a.m. – 9 p.m., Santa Monica College Bundy Campus, 3171 S. Bundy Drive, (310) 434-4230.