Music, Dance, and Visual Arts

Satire: Trump’s Campaign Songs

What was telling is that the song from the movie Titanic implies Trump’s bid for his second term is sinking and that he is drowning like Jack in the film. One wonders what other messages his musical coordinator wants to convey with his selections of music for Trump’s appearances. Here are my predictions. [Laurie Baron]

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Lawrence Baron, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA

African Art, Jewish Folk Customs Enliven Intercultural Conversation

Two worlds apart but we speak the same language of art.  Olga Worm met artist Bongani Lincoln Khumalo of Cape Town, South Africa, at the Laguna Beach Art-A-Fair Summer Fine Art Festival. Subsequently he came to San Diego County to deliver a piece of art that Worm had purchased. We met at a restaurant in La Mesa. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, California, International, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

SummerFest’s ‘In Loving Memory’ Program Salutes the Late Joan Jacobs

This concert’s featured works were all dedicated to the memory of people dear to their composers. Ravel’s Sonata for Violin and Cello was in memory of his fellow impressionist composer, Debussy;  Arensky’s  Piano Trio was in memory of the great Russian cellist, Karl Davidov; and Faure’s Requiem, was written to be performed at the funeral of his dear friend, Joseph Lesoufaché, an architect. [Eileen Wingard]

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Eileen Wingard, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

Memoir Tells of Russian Immigrant’s Social Climb in New York City

Memoirs are typically written by famous people or by those who survived extraordinary events.  Politicians, movie stars, artists, and diplomats are in the first category.  Soldiers and Holocaust Survivors are in the second.  But who is Anya Gillinson?  How many people outside of New York City have ever heard her name?  What impelled her to write her memoir? [Donald H. Harrison]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

Becky Guttin’s Trio of Separate Art Exhibits in San Diego and Mexico City

This has been a good year for internationally renowned artist, Becky Guttin. After the pandemic, and the passing of her beloved father, a talented artist in his own right, she has emerged from a period of mourning. She has come out with a bang artistically with three different projects. [Mimi Pollack]

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International, Mimi Pollack, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors

An Israeli-American Perspective: Navigating Youth Culture in Both Countries

My early 20s in Florentin, a neighborhood in south Tel Aviv near Jaffa, were truly magical. I was part of a local band, living in the bohemian heart of the city, feeling carefree and immersed in the moment. We were a generation connected by shared experiences, yet separated by the vast cultural currents flowing through our lives. Most of us were fresh out of the IDF, eager to enjoy the freedom we had fought for. [Shahar Masori]

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Israel, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Shahar Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Former San Diegan Fashioned Simone Biles’ Goat Necklace

She founded and operates her own business, Janet Heller Fine Jewelry, specializing in custom pieces. She doesn’t consider herself and artisan but rather a person with the ability to transform vision into story through jewelry, with meticulous skill and precision. [Barrett Holman Leak]

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Barrett Holman Leak, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

An Israeli-American Perspective: Symbiotic Relationship of Music in Our Two Countries

Songs like “Stairway to Heaven” and “Dust in the Wind” opened me up to a much greater world and introduced me to the power of lyrics, offering a wider outlook on life. For instance, the first time I heard the lyric from Kansas, “Same old song, just a drop of water in an endless sea, all we do, crumbles to the ground, though we refuse to see,” I was struck by its beauty and depth. [Shahar Masori]

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Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Shahar Masori, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA

Today’s Jewish Birthday: Geddy Lee

Courtesy of Wikipedia Geddy Lee Weinrib (July 29, 1953) is a Canadian musician, best known as the lead vocalist, bassist, and keyboardist for the rock group Rush. Lee joined the band in September 1968 at the request of his childhood friend Alex Lifeson, replacing original bassist and frontman Jeff Jones. Lee’s solo effort, My Favourite Headache, was released in

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Jewish Celebrities, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia

Today’s Jewish Birthday: Mike Bloomfield

Courtesy of Wikipedia Michael Bloomfield (July 28, 1943 – February 15, 1981) was an American blues guitarist and composer. Born in Chicago, he became one of the first popular music stars of the 1960s to earn his reputation almost entirely on his instrumental prowess, as he rarely sang before 1969. Respected for his guitar playing, Bloomfield knew and played

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Jewish Celebrities, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia

Today’s Jewish Birthday: Pete Yorn

Courtesy of Wikipedia Peter Yorn (July 27, 1974) is an American singer, songwriter, and musician. He first gained international recognition after his debut record, Musicforthemorningafter, was released to critical and commercial acclaim in 2001. He is known for playing the bulk of the instruments on his records. Spin magazine, in a career retrospective article dated March 26,

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Jewish Celebrities, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia

Local Events and Jewish Summer Travel Opportunities

Jewish Federation of San Diego and Entwine announce that  Thursday, August 1, is the deadline to apply for inclusion in the “Inside Jewish Italy” trip happening Monday, November 18 until Monday, November 25. This travel opportunity is intended for young adults ages 23-39!  Click here to apply. [Cailin Acosta]

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Cailin Acosta, International, Israel, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USA