SAN DIEGO (Press Release)– San Diego REPertory Theatre (San Diego REP) hosts the 21st annual Lipinsky Family San Diego Jewish Arts Festival from May 20 to June 18. Headlining the festival is a special one night only performance of selections from the upcoming world premiere Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin. Along with a full slate of performances at San Diego and North County venues, the festival is rich in culture, talent and Jewish soul. The Lipinsky Family San Diego Jewish Arts Festival is curated, organized and directed by Todd Salovey, associate artistic director, San Diego REP.
“One of the things I’ve found most extraordinary about the San Diego Jewish community is how international we are,” says Salovey. “Festival attendees have always been interested in the art, music, poetry, dance and drama that has spawned from our people’s rich travels. The festival will allow guests to enjoy the exotic dance of traditional Jewish history, ideas and creative expression as they travel the corners of the world,” he continues.
Salovey adds, “I am also incredibly excited to present the newest work by Hershey Felder. The Festival encourages acclaimed Jewish artists to present new work with Jewish themes. Felder returns to the style for which he is recognized around the world, and will share moving selections and stories from his creation about Irving Berlin’s life and music. From Russian pogroms to worldwide acclaim, Irving Berlin’s Jewish immigrant experience had a deep effect on his life and art, an art that gave his beloved America its sound.”
Festival performances are staged at various venues throughout San Diego County including San Diego REPertory Theatre, Encinitas Library and the AVO Playhouse. Highlights include The Dybukk (for Hannah and Sam’s wedding), a new adaptation of the classic and timeless play featuring award-winning actor Ron Campbell, the 13th annual Klezmer Summit featuring My Yidishe Mambo, and a performance by violinist Asi Matathias with pianist Victor Stanislavsky to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the America-Israel Cultural Foundation.
The schedule for the 21st annual Lipinsky Family San Diego Jewish Arts Festival includes:
A special performance of selections from “Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin”
Returning to the style and form that first brought Hershey Felder to the attention of San Diego audiences with George Gershwin Alone, Felder now creates the role America’s most iconic composer, Irving Berlin. In a story spanning one hundred years and featuring America’s greatest songs, from God Bless America, Always, White Christmas, There’s No Business Like Show Business, Alexander’s Ragtime Band and so many more, join us for an insider look of music and storytelling featuring selections from the upcoming Los Angeles world premiere of Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin.
Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin will take place on Sunday, June 1 at 7:30 p.m. on the Lyceum Stage at San Diego REP. Tickets are $55 for general admission and $118 for VIP seating that includes a private post-show dessert reception and sing-along with Hershey Felder. To purchase tickets, please visit http://www.sdrep.org or call (619) 544-1000.
“Una Nocha Yidishe”
This performance is a musical feast from south of the border. The Grammy-nominated band, Klezmer Juice featuring Gustavo Bulgach, performs Latin and Jewish music from the Jewish migration through South America, consisting of a stylish fusion of Jewish melodies with a Latin beat, Yiddish Tangos and favorite Israeli and klezmer songs.
The one-night performance is Tuesday, May 20 at 7:30 p.m. at the Oceanside Museum of Art. Tickets are $8 each. To purchase tickets call (760) 435-3720.
“The Dybbuk (for Hannah and Sam’s Wedding)”
A wedding toast turns into a one-man virtuoso performance of the greatest Jewish play of all time. One of the country’s most extraordinary multi-character actors, the award-winning Ron Campbell, makes his long awaited return to San Diego in this premier staged reading of a chilling story of love and exorcism about a young Jewish woman possessed by the wandering spirit of her destined husband. The performance features haunting and soulful music composed and performed by Yale Strom and members of Hot Pstromi. Todd Salovey directs, and adapted the story from its original version created by S. Ansky.
The performance will take place on Thursday, May 22 at 7:30 p.m. on the Lyceum Stage at San Diego REP. Tickets are $15. To purchase tickets, please visit http://www.sdrep.org or call (619) 544-1000.
Yom Yerushalayim with Moshav
Celebrate beloved Jerusalem with one of the country’s most popular Jewish bands, Moshav. Their recent World on Fire video has more than half a million views. Moshav originated from Moshav Mevo Modi’im, and moved to Los Angeles in 2000. They have released seven studio albums, and are one of the first groups to combine Jewish music with alternative rock, folk, funk, and reggae. The event is cosponsored by NCSY San Diego.
The performance is Tuesday, May 27 at 7:30 p.m. on the Lyceum Stage at San Diego REP. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students. For tickets please call (619) 544-1000, or visit http://www.sdrep.org.
Klezmer Summit North County
A special evening of song with one of the country’s most gifted and unique Yiddish vocalists, Anthony Mordechai Tzvi Russell. Russell has been chief soloist with operas around the country and has created a repertoire exploring the common tones of Jewish music and African American spirituals. In this program, Russell brings spirituals from the shtetl and davening from the Delta. In his career, he has devoted himself in the recital repertoire of Sidor Belarsky (1898-1975), one of the twentieth century’s most prolific performers of cantorial music, Chassidic nigunim and Yiddish art song. Sharing the program is San Diego’s Klezmer renaissance man, Yale Strom, and his beloved band Hot Pstromi featuring vocalist Elizabeth Schwartz.
The Klezmer Summit North County will be held on Wednesday, May 28 at 7:00 p.m. at the AVO Playhouse. Tickets are $8. To purchase tickets, please visit http://www.moonlightstage.com or call (760) 724-2110.
Violinist Asi Matathias with Pianist Victor Stanislavsky
An elegant classical concert featuring the works of Saint-Saens, Sarasate, and Bloch, and starring two of Israel most acclaimed young musicians, violinist Asi Matathias and pianist Vicrot Stanislavsky.
Still in his 20s, violinist Asi Matathias is already one of the most celebrated talents of his generation. He made his debut at the age of 14 with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra under Zubin Mehta. Since then, Matathias has performed as a soloist with numerous orchestras around the globe. He has collaborated with Yefim Bronfman, Frans Helmerson, Nobuko Imai, Wolfgang Laufer and Christian Altenburger. He has performed in festivals such as the Jerusalem International Chamber Music Festival and the Con Anima Festival in Austria. He has studied with the famed Pinchas Zuckerman and has been supported by the America-Israel Cultural Foundation since 1997.
Victor Stanislavsky is of the most exciting pianists of the young generation in Israel. He enjoys an extensive International career. Stanislavsky has performed as a soloist with the Israel Philharmonic, Israel Symphony Orchestra, Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra, The Israel Chamber Orchestra, and abroad with the Romanian State Philharmonic, the New York’s Summit Music Festival Symphony Orchestra, Milan’s Symphony Orchestra, and China’s National Symphony Orchestra. Stanislavsky was born in Ukraine and immigrated to Israel in 1990. He has been a recipient of the America-Israel Cultural Foundation scholarships since 2000 and completed a full three years of service in the Israeli Defense Forces.
The performance will be held on Thursday, May 29 at 7:30 p.m. on the Lyceum Stage at San Diego REP. Tickets are $30. To purchase tickets, please visit http://www.sdrep.org or call (619) 544-1000. Ticket proceeds benefit the America-Israel Cultural Foundation.
13th Annual Klezmer Summit: “My Yidishe Mambo”
Starring the All-Star Bands of Yale Strom and Gilbert Castellanos
From post-war America through the 1960’s, Jews from Hollywood to Miami Beach were filling the clubs and dancing to the mambo, cha-cha and rhumba. Come and experience those same mesmerizing Latin rhythms combined with sensuous Jewish sounds with “My Yidishe Mambo,” an exciting concert where klezmer meets Latin jazz, and shtetl culture meets salsa. Artists featured in the concerts will include: Hot Pstromi: Jeff Pekarek (bass), Lou Fanucchi (accordion), Fred Benedetti (guitar), Duncan Moore (percussion), Elizabeth Schwartz (vocals) and Yale Strom (violin) who will join Latin superstars Gilbert Castellanos (trumpet), Irving Flores (piano) and Gene Perry (Afro-Cuban percussion).
The 13th Annual Klezmer Summit is Monday, June 2 at 7:30 p.m. on the Lyceum Stage at San Diego REP. Tickets are $18. To purchase tickets, please visit http://www.sdrep.org or call (619) 544-1000.
Pete Seeger Tribute
Pete Seeger’s music was a big part of many Jewish homes. Seeger’s songs “If I Had A Hammer,” “Where Have All the Flowers Gone” and “We Shall Overcome” inspired us to join voices with others and sing out to make a stronger community and better world. We celebrate his life through the staged reading of Todd Salovey’s original full-length sing-along musical “Pete Seeger Sings Out,” to be publicly performed for the first time (portions of this musical were included in the REP’s “A Hammer A Bell and A Song to Sing.” Join singer, actor and musicians Dave Crossland, Jim Mooney and Vaughn Armstrong for this musical tribute.
Two performances only. Monday, June 9 at 7:30 p.m. in the Lyceum Space at San Diego REP; and Tuesday, June 10 at 7:30 p.m. at the North Coast Rep. Tickets for both venues cost $15. To purchase tickets for the San Diego REP, please visit http://www.sdrep.org or call (619) 544-1000. To purchase tickets for the North Coast Rep, please visit http://www.northcoastrep.org or call (858) 481-1055.
Fifth Annual Women of Valor
By Todd Salovey, Leah Salovey, Ali Viterbi, Rebecca Myers, and Sarah Price Keating
Directed by Todd Salovey
This will be the fifth anniversary celebration of San Diego’s valorous women from across the Jewish community. Each year the Festival selects new women whose unique, moving and inspirational stories are shared in a world premiere dramatic staged reading. This year’s program focuses on women of different international Jewish communities, and will feature music from across the Jewish world.
“Fifth Annual Women of Valor” is Monday, June 16 at 7:30 p.m. in the Lyceum Space at San Diego REP. Tickets for the San Diego REP performance are $18 per person and can be purchased online at http://www.sdrep.org or by (619) 544-1000. Ticket proceeds benefit the three Jewish High Schools of San Diego: Torah High, SCY High and the Jewish Academy.
FREE PERFORMANCES
Alexander Gourevitch and Freilachs
The Festival’s popular klezmer clarinet virtuoso returns for an encore! Gourevitch charms audiences with his lively performances where he expresses his Jewish soul with his entire body. He is a soloist with the prestigious Orquesta de Baja California, and will bring you joy and tears with Jewish and Klezmer classics.
The one-night performance takes place in the Encinitas Library on Wednesday, May 21 at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are free of charge. For information please call (760) 753-7376.
“The Divas of Klezmer”
Featuring Elizabeth Schwartz and special guests Kathy Robins and Debby Davis
Elizabeth Schwartz is celebrated for her uniquely dusky timbre. Reviews hail her “soulful,” “passionate” and “penetrating” vocals. She has drawn numerous comparisons to Edith Piaf and Maria Tanase. From her many appearances with Yale Strom & Hot Pstromi and as a solo artist, Schwartz has built a loyal following. She is joined for this special library concert with two of San Diego’s leading musical divas, Kathy Robbins and Debby Davis.
“The Divas of Klezmer” is presented Sunday, May 25 at 2 p.m. in the Encinitas Library. Tickets are free of charge. For more information please call (760) 753-7376.
Fifth Annual Women of Valor
By Todd Salovey, Leah Salovey, Ali Viterbi, Rebecca Myers, and Sarah Price Keating
Directed by Todd Salovey
This will be the fifth anniversary celebration of San Diego’s valorous women from across the Jewish community. Each year the Festival selects new women whose unique, moving and inspirational stories are shared in a world premiere dramatic staged reading. This year’s program focuses on women of different international Jewish communities, and will feature music from across the Jewish world.
“Fifth Annual Women of Valor” is Wednesday, June 18 at 7:30 p.m. at the Encinitas Library. Tickets are free of charge. For more information please call (760) 753-7376.