Arts briefs

Modern dance program touches on Jewish heritage

The Herberger College of Fine Arts Department of Dance at Arizona State University presents "Fall Dance Collection," a modern dance program consisting of seven pieces, Nov. 21-24.

The showcase piece is by Israeli choreographer and guest artist Neta Pulvermacher. Her work, "Goodbye and Good Luck," features six dancers who perform while carrying, playing or swinging a violin. It delves into the Jewish/Yiddish heritage of humor, hope, fate, despair, guilt and longing. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Nov. 21-23 and 2 p.m. Nov. 24. Tickets are $14 adults, $12 seniors, faculty and staff, $5 students. Call 480-965-6447.

Chachma hosts night of entertainment

A program of dinner and entertainment featuring The Simcha Street Band will be hosted by Chachma at 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17, at Temple Solel, 6805 E. McDonald Drive, Paradise Valley.

The musical style of the band includes folk, rock and rhythm & blues, as well as bluegrass.

Chachma is a group for active seniors, ages 55 and older. Cost is $13 members, $15 nonmembers. Call 480-991-7414 by Nov. 14.

Israeli films play in Valley venues

The sixth annual Israeli Film Festival continues with feature films Nov. 10, 17, 20, 21 and 24, and Dec. 8 and 11 at Harkins Camelview, Harkins Arrowhead and the assembly room of the Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus. The films include "Late Marriage," a double feature of "Out For Love ... Be Back Shortly" and "Company Jasmine," "Foreign Sister," "Desperado Square," a double feature of "As If Nothing Happened" and "Hitchhikers," and "Song of the Siren."

For ticket prices, show times and locations, call 480-634-4800, ext. 1119 or visit www.jewishphoenix.org.

Jewish mystery authors sign books

The Poisoned Pen Mystery Book Store will host author discussions and book signings for three Jewish authors in November. Rochelle Krich and Ayelet Waldman are scheduled to appear 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19, and Libby Fischer Hellmann will appear 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30, at the store, 4014 N. Goldwater Blvd., Suite 101, Scottsdale. Krich will discuss her latest novel, "Blues in the Night," a story of a crime reporter who investigates the victim of a hit-and-run accident. Krich often uses Orthodox Judaism as the central theme in her novels. Waldman, author of the Juliet Appelbaum mystery series, will discuss her latest work, "A Playmate with Death." Hellmann, a first-time author, will discuss her book "An Eye for Murder." Future author visits to the Poisoned Pen include best-selling author Linda Fairstein and Rabbi Lawrence Raphael, editor of "Mystery Midrash."

Call 480-947-2974.

Zeller concert

A concert featuring Rabbi David Zeller will take place at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, at Temple Chai, 4645 E. Marilyn Road, Phoenix.

Zeller is the executive director of Yakar: Center for Tradition and Creativity, an Orthodox pluralistic educational institution in Israel, and director of Shevet: Yakar's Center for Jewish meditation. The program is sponsored by Temple Chai and Ruach Hamidbar - Spirit of the Desert. Cost is $10, free for children and students. Call 602-971-1234.

'The Simcha Street Band' plays again

The Simcha Street Band, which bills itself as "Jew-Grass," a combination of folk-rock, rhythm and blues, and traditional Jewish melodies, songs and hymns, will perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9, at King Solomon's Pizza, 4810 N. Seventh St., Phoenix. Free event.

Call 602-870-8655.

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