The Wallis Center for the Performing Arts (The Wallis) and Writers Bloc, a reading and conversation series founded by Emmy-nominated Andrea Grossman, present “Leon Panetta in Conversation with Jessica Yellin” on Wednesday, Oct. 15 at 7:30 p.m., and “Dick Cavett in Conversation with Paula Poundstone” on Thursday, Nov. 6 at 7:30 p.m.

The events are part of The Wallis’ ongoing new series, “Arts & Ideas: Conversations at The Wallis”, and will be held in the Bram Goldsmith Theater.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with Writers Bloc, which is extraordinary in attracting so many of the world’s top writers, artists and thinkers,” The Wallis’ interim artistic director Patricia Wolff said. “We could not ask for a more auspicious beginning than to have Writers Bloc included in our 2014-15 season, launching The Wallis’ inaugural Arts & Ideas series.”

Tickets are available at www.thewallis.org or by calling 310-746-4000, or in person at The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts is located at 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd, Beverly Hills. Tickets for each individual program are $25. For information, call (310)746-4000, or visit www.thewallis.org.