FRIDAY, February 29

Baron Claiborne

(Click to enlarge)

Audra McDonald, giver. See Friday.

“From Secularists to Frummies, from I'm Conservatives to Bu-Jews, from Feministas to Republicans, from Agnostics to Anarchists, from I Dunno's to I'll Tell You's” is the crowd that Jewlicious is after. It's an ambitious, three-day gathering of the tribe celebrating all things Jewish and aimed at young people, though all are welcome. Hot and cold running artists, musicians, speakers, comics, filmmakers and more will spiel, including Orthodox reggae artist Matisyahu and Heeb Magazine publisher Josh Neuman. Alpert Jewish Community Center, 3801 E. Willow St., Long Beach; Feb. 29-March 2. Full-access tickets sold out; two-day noncamping passes $54; concert only, $25. (562) 426-7601, Ext. 1424, or www.jewliciousfestival.wordpress.com.

If you're a fan of tee-vee's Grey's Anatomy or Private Practice, then you must really like people in hospital scrubs. And you definitely must get your ticket to Good Medicine, a benefit for the Solidarity Fund, which helps out crew members affected by the WGA strike. Performing will be cast members from both shows, including Katherine Heigl, Chyler Leigh, Sandra Oh, Ellen Pompeo, Justin Chambers, Taye Diggs, T.R. Knight, Audra McDonald, Sara Ramirez and Loretta Devine. Royce Hall, UCLA campus, Wstwd.; Fri., Feb. 29, 8 p.m.; $85. (213) 480-3232.

 SATURDAY, March 1

Holy shit, read this: “Perhaps the greatest signpost of the past millennium is approaching quickly. This signpost, revealed by the ancient Mayan Long Count Calendar, is 2012. The 2012 Conference will show that many ancient traditions are saying that the Great Shift of the ages is at hand … The scholars attending this conference will present the research revealing that a multiplicity of ancient cultures in different lands have all pointed to the time period around 2012 as the year that things will change. Those cultures include the Mayan, the Incan Elders, the Hopi, the Aztecs, and 19th Century Europeans.” Here's what's happening: talks by top scholars, thinkers, philosophers and futurists, including Dr.Alberto Villoldo (keynote speaker), Jordan Maxwell, Daniel Pinchbeck, Sharron Rose, Jay Weidner, Harijiwan Khalsa and John Major Jenkins, plus the premiere of Timewave 2013. Hey, it was either this or Larry the Cable Guy at the Nokia Theater. Ricardo Montalban Theatre, 1615 N. Vine St., Hlywd.; Sat., March 1, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; $39-$75. (800) 595-4849 or www.tix.com.

 SUNDAY, March 2

Ella Fitzgerald once said, “The only thing better than singing is more singing.” And listening to other singers singing Ella Fitzgerald songs ain't bad either. A Tribute to Ella celebrates the First Lady of Song's 90th-birthday year with vocalists Ann Hampton Callaway, T.C. Carson, Ledisi, Mark Murphy, Janis Siegel and music director Patrice Rushen and should be too marvelous for words. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., dwntwn.; Sun., March 2, 7:30 p.m.; $35-$95. (323) 850-2000.

 MONDAY, March 3

How's that acting career working out? Markus Flanagan — whose IMDb entry boasts a somewhat impressive list of unimpressive credits, peaking with recurring roles on Melrose Place and Unfabulous — signs One Less Bitter Actor, his book that “covers everything the author wishes someone had told him about how casting decisions are made, what rejection really means, how to behave on a set, the two factors the business is built on, and much more.” Book Soup, 8818 Sunset Blvd., W. Hlywd.; Mon., March 3, 7 p.m.; free, book costs $15.95. (310) 659-3110.

 TUESDAY, March 4

People, we need to stick together in times of unrest, where our future is uncertain. Fortunately, the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce is a forward-thinking group looking out for any bumps coming up in the road and bringing us Luxury Summit 2008. An expert panel will discuss the latest trends, forecasts and strategies in luxury consumerism, including ways to maintain company profitability in an uncertain market. Those experts include Emmanuel Perrin, president and CEO of Van Cleef & Arpels, Americas, so rest assured we're in good hands. Beverly Hilton, 9876 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills; Tues., March 4, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; $75, registration required: (310) 248-1000, Ext. 140.

 WEDNESDAY, March 5

When he was a young comic, the William Morris Agency begged Jackie Mason to take elocution lessons to lose his Lower East Side Jewish accent. He refused, saying, “Hak mir nisht keyn tshaynik!” — which means he's Jewlicious and proud. Mr. Mason performs Jackie Mason: The Ultimate Jew — The Farewell Performances. Wadsworth Theater, 11301 Wilshire Blvd., W.L.A.; Wed.-Sat., March 5-8, 8 p.m.; Sun., March 9, 3 p.m.; $25-$100. (213) 480-3232 or (310) 479-3636.

 THURSDAY, March 6

Some very talented local musicians and literary types bring us Concert for Nepal, a gathering of such sound and spoken-word spelunkers as Rich Ferguson, Kelly Dalton, Simone White, Renee and Jeremy, and Liz Foster. Ferguson places his compelling words against a wash of electric sounds to dramatic effect, and Jeremy, as in Toback, has been Smithing his Elliott for years to quiet acclaim. The night is a benefit for United Planet and the OCCED (Organization for Community, Child and Environment Development) in Kathmandu. Tangier, 2138 Hillhurst Ave., Los Feliz; Thurs., March 6, 8 p.m.; $10. (323) 660-1033.

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