Last Chance
Artwareness: Marquetry Paintings by Paulin Paris, through May 12, Frank Pictures Gallery, Bergamot Station, 310.828.0211.
Joanna Bielski, unconfined, through May 9, Lois Lambert Gallery, Bergamot Station, 310.829.6990.
Charles Garabedian, through May 8, LA Louver Gallery, 45 N.Venice Blvd., Venice, 310.822.4955.
David Hockney, through May 8, LA Louver Gallery, 45 N.Venice Blvd., Venice, 310.822.4955.
Carmen Monne, Threshholds, through May 9, Topanga Canyon Gallery, 120 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., 109 Pine Tree Circle, Topanga, www.awbw.org.
Wisdom’s Way, video talk series with Guy Finley representatives, through May 7, 7-8pm, $3 donation requested, Yahoo Center Community Room, 2500 Broadway, 310.266.9930.
THIS WEEK
May 7
President Obama So Far, lecture by Harvey Stromberg, 7pm, free, HSS 165, SMC, 1900 Pico Blvd., 310.434.4003.
California’s Mountain Temples: Visiting the History of 20th Century Astronomy, 8pm, preceded by The Night Sky Show, 7pm, $5, Planetarium, Room 223, Drescher Hall, SMC, 1900 Pico Blvd., 310.434.3000.
The Importance of Being Ernest, the perennial comedy by Oscar Wilde, through June 12, 8pm Fridays-Saturdays, 2pm Sundays, $16-$18, Westchester Playhouse, 8301 Hindry Ave., Westchester, 310.645.5156.
May 8
Backstreet, a musical by the Santa Monica Playhouse Jewish Heritage Program, through June 20, 8pm Saturdays, 6pm Sundays, $25, Santa Monica Playhouse, 1211 4th St., 310.394.9779.
Exhibit of Student Films, Art, and Multimedia, reception noon-2pm, Venice Arts, 1702 Lincoln Blvd., Venice, 310.392.0846.
Great Expectations by Charles Dickens, is discussed by the Literature Book Group, 11am, free, Fairview Branch Library, 2101 Ocean Park Blvd., 310.458.8681.
Yoffe Therapy Presents: The Resilient Spirit: From Foster Care Guest Panel, with Jeanette Yoffe, 1- 4pm, $40-$70, Electric Lodge 1416 Electric Ave., Venice, 310.823.0710.
YWCA Santa Monica / Westside 2010 Focus Awards Gala, featuring Kirk Ellis, Winnie Holzman, Carol Mendelsohn, Paris Qualles, and Sarah Pillsbury, cocktails 5:30pm, dinner and awards 7pm, $225, Skirball Cultural Center, 3701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., LA, 310.452.3881.
May 8-9
An American Tragedy, West Coast premiere of musical based on Dreiser’s novel, with professionals and students in the cast, 7pm Saturday, 4pm Sunday, $10-$35, The Broad Stage, SMC Performing Arts Center, 1310 11th St., 310.434.3000.
May 9
Keeping California Elections Fair and Clean, with Trina L. Ray, 11am, free, Humanist Association of Los Angeles, West Side Discussion Group, Yahoo Center Community Room, 2500 Broadway, 310. 479.2236.
MOMentum Place, afternoon of performances dedicated to mothers, 2pm, $10-$20, Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum, 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga, 310.455.2322.
Musica Angelica, concert of Bach and Brandenberg music, noon, $45-$75, The Broad Stage, SMC Performing Arts Center, 1310 11th St., TheBroadStage.com/tickets.
May 10
Green Living Workshop, nine week series, 7-8:30pm, $25 donation, The Green Life, 2409 Main St., sustainableworks.org.
Memory Loss & Aging, with Mary Ellen Brooks, 12:15-1:30pm, free, DeWind Room, Santa Monica Family YMCA, 1332 6th St., 310.393.2721.
May 11
Be Your Magic, with Jeff Fredricksen, magician and counselor, 7pm, free, MLK Jr. Auditorium, Santa Monica Main Library, 601 Santa Monica Blvd., 310.458.8600.
Green Living Workshop, six-week series, noon-1:30pm, $50, AllSteel, the Water Garden, 1620 26th St, www.SustainableWorks.eventbrite.com.
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, musical, through May 23, 8pm Tuesdays-Fridays, 8pm, 2& 8pm Saturdays, 2 and 7pm Sundays, $20-$75, Freud Playhouse, UCLA, WW, 310.825.2101.
Paul Provenza & Dan Dion Book Launch Party for Satiristas, 7pm, free, Diesel Brentwood, 225 26th St., 510.653.9965.
May 12
Boys and Girls Choir of Harlem Alumni Ensemble, 7:30pm, $10-$40, Smothers Theatre, Pepperdine University, 24255 PCH, Malibu, 310.506.4261.
Cars and Guitars, art exhibit with the work of Carol Hernandez and John Adams, reception May 14, 6-8pm, through June 6, Topanga Art Gallery, 120 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga, 310.455.7909.
Green Living Workshop, 7-8:30pm, $50, Santa Monica Main Library, 601 Santa Monica Blvd., www.SustainableWorks.eventbrite.com.
The No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency by Alexander McColl Smith, is discussed by the Mystery Book Group, 7pm, free, Montana Branch Library, 1704 Montana Ave. 310.458.8682.
May 13
Changes With Age, talk with Estee Bienstock, 2pm, free, Montana Branch Library, 1704 Montana Ave., 310.458.8682.
Chanticleer, Grammy-award winning ensemble, 7:30pm, $10-$40, Smothers Theatre, Pepperdine University, 24255 PCH, Malibu, 310.506.4261.
The Hangover, part of Politically Incorrect Comedy Series, 7pm, free, MLK Jr. Auditorium, Santa Monica Main Library, 601 Santa Monica Blvd., 310.458.8600.
The Hidden Causes of Infertility, lecture by Jessica Chen, L.Ac., 6:30-7:30pm, free, Tao of Wellness, suite 300, 1131 Wilshire Blvd., 310.917.2200.
Judith Tannenbaum discusses and signs By Heart, 7pm, free, Diesel Brentwood, 225 26th St., 510.653.9965.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Venice Art Walk, May 22
Small Press Book Fair, May 29
Shape Magazine Bikini Body Tour, June 5