Ariel Luckey will perform his klezmer hip-hop in "Cabaret by the Bay" at JCC East Bay, Nov. 5.
Ariel Luckey will perform his klezmer hip-hop in "Cabaret by the Bay" at JCC East Bay, Nov. 5.

This weekend: a play, a movie, a cabaret and Silicon Valley Jewish film fest

Whether you like live theater or music, or just want to sit back and take in an inspiring movie, this weekend you’ve got options.


For starters, on tomorrow night there’s “Two Big Mouths” in Santa Rosa. Conceived and performed by the talented duo of Naomi Newman, co-founder and director of the former Traveling Jewish Theatre, and Cantor Linda Hirschhorn, founder of the Vocolot Ensemble, their show mixes storytelling, memories, midrash and music. It’s about growing up Jewish — and growing older and wiser. The show starts at 7 p.m. at Congregation Shomrei Torah, 2600 Bennett Valley Road, in Santa Rosa. Tickets are $10-$18.


On Sunday, the dynamic Israeli ensemble Tararam brings its eclectic sights and sounds to the Oshman Family JCC in Palo Alto. The unusual troupe creates sounds from drums and ordinary objects — including the body (as in “body drumming”) with choreography, vocals, theater antics and more. Since making a splash at the 1997 Israel Festival of Stage Arts, Tararam has toured festivals worldwide. The unusual performance artists will take the stage at 8 p.m. Nov. 5 at the JCC, 3921 Fabian Way, Palo Alto. Tickets are $45-$50.


If you’re more of an old-school traditionalist, check out KlezCalifornia’s “Cabaret by the Bay” on Sunday in Berkeley. The Yiddish-flavored event features a klezmer band, comedy, singing, dancing and a “Yiddish theater surprise.” It’s happening from 4 to 6 p.m. at the JCC East Bay, 1414 Walnut St. “Cabaret” is free for ages 6-12; $10-$25 for adults. klezcalifornia.org


Also on Sunday, the Silicon Valley Jewish Film Festival will screen the documentary “My Hero Brother,” filmmaker Yonatin Nir’s moving account of a group of young Israelis with Down syndrome who trekked through the Himalayas with their siblings. The Hebrew-language film (with English subtitles) screens at 7 p.m. Nov. 5 at the AMC Saratoga 14, 700 El Paso de Saratoga, San Jose. (It also screens 6:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 6 at the Oshman Family JCC, 3921 Fabian Way, in Palo Alto. 7 p.m. For ticket information, go to svjff.org.

Liz Harris

Liz Harris is a J. contributor. She was J.'s culture editor from 2012-2018.