West metro arts briefs

Jewish Humor Fest continues this week Jewish comedy abounds again this week at the Sabes Jewish Community Center's Jewish Humor Festival, which continues through Sunday at the center, 4330 Cedar Lake Road S. in St. Louis Park.

Here's a sampling of the events:

• At 2 p.m. Sunday, "Hijab" and "Toast," two short plays by Monica Raymond, will be presented. In "Hijab," an ex-hippie mom abruptly realizes how Jewish she really is when her teenage daughter decides to wear a hijab to high school. In "Toast," a Jewish physics prodigy, who instead became a restaurant critic, takes his sister and her fiancé to Lower Manhattan in search of a luncheonette that once served perfect toast.

• From 12:30-2 p.m. today, Stevie Ray's Improv Company will present the "Old Farts Improv Workshop." It's described as a low-key improvisation/acting workshop that gives the over-55 set a chance to "show the kids what's really funny!"

• At 6 p.m. today and at 1 p.m. Thursday, "Satire in Song" with Mark Bloom will offer "the musical side of Jewish humor," touching on the works of Mel Brooks, Mickey Katz, Tom Lehrer and Allan Sherman.

• At 4 p.m. Sunday in "The History of Jewish Humor," Rabbi Sim Glaser will address the question: "Why are Jews so funny?" Glaser will probe the depth and sheer chutzpah of Jewish humor, from its Biblical origins through today.

• At 7 p.m. Sunday, a Closing Night Comedy Cabaret featuring local Jewish improv stars, stand-up comics and musicians. Rated R.

Submit you favorite poem to Verses & Voices As part of its "Our Town: Verses & Voices" celebration, the St. Louis Park Friends of the Arts are asking residents to submit their favorite poem from any genre, a written description of what it means to them, and a photo of themselves.

Twelve poems will be selected by a panel led by the new community poet, Diane Pecoraro, for inclusion in the 2011 St. Louis Park City/School calendar. Those not chosen may be featured in other Friends of the Arts publications.

"We are excited to feature poetry in our 2011 calendar," Jaime Zwilling, St. Louis Park's communications director, said in a news release.

Submissions must be received by April 1, and can be dropped off at the Friends office in the Lenox Community Center or submitted via e-mail at info@slpfriendsofthe arts.org .

For more information, call 952-928-6422.

Classes range from one to 10 days in length, and cost from $33 for a single half-day session to $277 for classes that last five full days or 10 half days.

For more details, go to www.minnetonkaarts.org/classes.html or call 952 473-7361, ext. 16.

Evening of jazz at Unitarian church Singer and actress Joyce Lyons will present an evening of jazz with local musicians at 7 p.m. Friday at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Minnetonka, 605 Rice St., Wayzata.

Joining her will be Greg Membrez on keyboards and guitar, Jim Chenoweth on acoustic bass, Nathan Norman on drums and Greg Keel on tenor sax.

Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for seniors.