Music, Dance, and Visual Arts

B’Shalom: Body Image, Military History, Baseball Classic, Jewish Political News

Kristine Schomaker’s eating disorder had made her feel “othered” since her girlhood. She tried to imagine herself as a slender blonde but when she looked into the mirror, she saw herself as she was, a very large woman. Rather than hide from her physical presence, she decided to embrace it. She invited 59 fellow artists to depict her in the nude. Sculptures, photographs, paintings, and drawings in various media resulted in an exhibition now being shown through April 13 at the Mesa College Art Gallery. [Donald H. Harrison]

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California, Donald H. Harrison, International, Israel, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Sports & Competitions, USA

Igor Levit’s Piano Recital in La Jolla: A Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience

By Eileen Wingard   LA JOLLA, California — Einmalig, the German word for “once in a lifetime,” came to mind as Igor Levit began his piano recital in the Baker-Baum Hall at the Conrad in La Jolla with the opening passage of Brahms’ Six Choral Preludes. His opening phrase embraced my ears with its singular beauty.

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Eileen Wingard, International, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County

B’Shalom: Mineral Creations and Schmoozing with Bagels

By day, Carleigh Gold is a commercial contracts attorney, a precise occupation in which she must examine every clause to weigh its legal meaning and possible ramifications.  It is exacting work.  After work hours and on weekends, Gold gets to unleash her creativity.  For nearly 13 years now, she has painted in oils and acrylics, and over the past three years she has developed a new specialty: resin art utilizing minerals and gems found in nature. [Donald H. Harrison]

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California, Donald H. Harrison, Lifestyles, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County

Israeli Songs to be Showcased at JCC as Israel Nears 75th Birthday

By Eileen Wingard LA JOLLA, California — Treasures from the Music Collection of the Astor Judaica Library: Israeli Songs, will be held in the Lawrence Family JCC Library on Thursday, March 9, 2 p.m. The final event in the three-part series, which included Yiddish songs (January 5), and Ladino songs  (February 9), is certain to

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Eileen Wingard, Israel, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County

Award-Winning Jewish Pianist Igor Levit to Perform in La Jolla

By Eileen Wingard   LA JOLLA, California — The brilliant Russian-born Jewish pianist, Igor Levit, will be playing a solo recital at the Conrad in La Jolla on Thursday evening, March 9, at 7:30 p.m. It is under the auspices of the La Jolla Music Society. His program will consist of works by Brahms, Fred

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Eileen Wingard, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County

Gene Simmons of Kiss Fame to Unveil Mural of Polish Catholic Holocaust Hero

By Mike Wagenheim (JNS) Artists 4 Israel is expanding its series of murals honoring Righteous Among the Nations. It’s doing so with a “kiss” this time. The collective, which enlists artists to combat antisemitism and anti-Israel bigotry through their work, will unveil its fourth mural on Feb. 26 paying homage to non-Jews who risked their

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California, Holocaust, International, Jewish Celebrities, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, USA

In La Jolla, Steven Schick Ascends the Podium in New Role as Conductor Emeritus

By Eileen Wingard   LA JOLLA, California — Steven Schick, celebrated conductor, master percussionist, and distinguished UCSD professor, has commissioned over 150 new works. His latest was awarded to UCSD alumnus, Mary Kouyoumdjian for her piece, “Walking with Ghosts,” the opener of the La Jolla Symphony & Chorus’ February 11 concert at Mandeville Hall. Schick,

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Eileen Wingard, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County

‘Intersections’ Showcases the Diverse Talents of Klezmer Musician Yale Strom

By Eileen Wingard LA JOLLA, California — “Intersections” is the name of a new 12-part series curated and hosted by the multitalented Yale Strom. Each month this year, Strom will introduce a diverse array of artists for programs at UCSD’s Park & Market, a new venue at 1100 Market Street in San Diego. The programs,

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Eileen Wingard, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County

Composer Behind Songs in ‘Wild Kratts,’ ‘PJ Masks,’ and Other Iconic Children’s TV Shows Brings New Musical to San Diego

By Jacob Kamaras LA JOLLA, California — The co-creator of the songs for some of the most popular children’s shows on television is bringing a new musical to San Diego. Actually, it’s a musical about putting on a musical. Ensemble: The Musical — which will be performed live for the first time at the Tenth

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Jacob Kamaras, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Appreciation: Burt Bacharach Was a Music Legend Who Spoke Out

Published by The San Diego Union-Tribune As one of the greatest and most innovative songwriters in pop-music history, Burt Bacharach inspired several generations of fans and fellow musicians alike. Beyond the great art he created, two of my fondest memories of Bacharach — who died Wednesday of natural causes at the age of 94 —

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Music, Dance, and Visual Arts

Light and Obliquity: Edward Hopper at the Whitney Museum

By Sam Ben-Meir NEW YORK — Clement Greenberg once observed that Edward Hopper was a “bad painter. But if he were a better painter, he would, most likely, not be so superior an artist.” “Edward Hopper’s New York,” a major retrospective currently on view at the Whitney Museum, confirms this judgment. There is occasionally a

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Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Sam Ben-Meir, USA

JCC Program to Spotlight Exotic Ladino Melodies

By Eileen Wingard LA JOLLA, California — The exotic melodies and improvisatory style of Ladino (Judeo-Spanish) songs evoke the colorful bougainvillea and balmy nights of Spain, even though much of that music was composed by the Sephardic Jews after their expulsion. They were driven out of Spain in 1492, then from Portugal five years later.

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Eileen Wingard, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County

Israel’s Lahav Shani Named New Conductor of Munich Philharmonic

Published by DPA The Munich Philharmonic Orchestra gave a rapturous welcome on Wednesday to the appointment of Israeli musician Lahav Shani as its new chief conductor in the 2026-27 season. After a year’s deliberation, the council of the Bavarian capital backed the 34-year-old in the role, initially for five years. Shani, who despite his young

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Music, Dance, and Visual Arts