Music, Dance, and Visual Arts

Hero- Martyr: Basquiat and Samson

By Sam Ben-Meir ROME, Italy –  For international collage artist, Michael Anderson, Jean-Michel Basquiat is the single most significant artist of the last fifty years: “Picasso, Pollack, Basquiat,” he tells me. There is no denying the immense influence of this extraordinary painter, who in a short but meteoric career of seven years produced an astonishing […]

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Jewish History, Jewish Religion, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Sam Ben-Meir

Glen Campbell’s wife speaks out about the severity of his current condition

It’s been a little over six years since Glen Campbell and his family shared the heartbreaking news that the legendary singer-songwriter had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Since then, Glen’s decline has been slow and steady, and in a recent interview with “Access Hollywood,” wife Kim shared a devastating update. “He’s in the late stages

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Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Science, Medicine, & Education

Reflections on the Lipinsky S.D. Jewish Festival

By Mimi Pollack SAN DIEGO — The 24th Annual Lipinsky Family San Diego Jewish Arts festival, directed and produced by Todd Salovey, was a learning and poignant experience for me. I learned about the art of Boris Malkin [1908-1972] a talented painter, graphic artist, and book illustrator from Belarus. His dark work reflected the anti-Semitism

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Mimi Pollack, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, USA

A double premiere for Michael Roth

By Eileen Wingard SAN DIEGO — Michael Roth is an accomplished composer, with over 250 scores for theater productions throughout North America to his credit. This outstanding local Jewish artist had two of his compositions featured as part of the 24th Lipinsky Jewish Arts Festival at the Lyceum Theatre. The works not only utilized Roth’s

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Eileen Wingard, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Supreme Court rules band may trademark its name, strikes down law banning offensive terms

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court extended trademark protection on Monday to words and names that may be offensive, ruling that the First Amendment right to free speech allows an Asian-American band to call itself The Slants. The unanimous decision will also likely preserve the trademarked and controversial name of the Redskins, Washington’s NFL team. In

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Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, USA

Singer Noa lashes Tel Aviv official for bid to nix gig

Songstress tells Arnon Giladi to mind his own business, after council member says event should be canceled over views he calls anti-Zionist By Jessica Steinberg Singer Achinoam Nini performs during a memorial ceremony for the late Yossi Sarid, on January 12, 2016. (Tomer Neuberg/Flash90) Singer Achinoam Nini, known for her outspoken support for a two-state

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Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts

Multiple cultures on display at Jewish Arts Festival

By Mimi Pollack SAN DIEGO — Monday evening was a good example of Jewish culture from around the world at the 24th Annual Lipinsky Family San Diego Jewish Arts festival, directed and produced by Todd Salovey. First was the exhibit of Boris Malkin [1908-1972], a painter, graphic artist, and book illustrator from Belarus. His work

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Mimi Pollack, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County

San Diego composer, pianist featured in TICO concert

By Eileen Wingard SAN DIEGO — Youth Overture by Arkady Luxemburg opened the June 4 concert of the Tifereth Israel Community Orchestra (TICO). Luxemburg, who died recently, was a Russian-Jewish immigrant, residing in San Diego for more than two decades and writing music in many genres. His brief, upbeat work displayed influences of Kabelevsky and

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

Neil Diamond voice still in top shape on 50 Year Anniversary Tour

ANALYSIS/OPINION: His voice remains smooth like silk, and as flawlessly on-pitch as he was a half-century ago when the world of rock was yet young. Neil Diamond, now 76, brought his hits, his verve and his unconquerable joy to Baltimore’s Royal Farms Arena Friday night, where the New Yorker took the thousands gathered – from

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Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, USA

The debate about Bob Dylan’s faith is over

Nearly 40 years after Bob Dylan stunned the music world with the release of his overtly Christian album, “Slow Train Coming,” followed quickly with the unambiguously gospel “Saved,” people still don’t know what to make of America’s most enigmatic troubadour. The conventional wisdom is that Dylan took an intense dive into evangelical Christianity for a

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts

Teenager is driving force behind ALS benefit concert

  SAN DIEGO (Press Release) —  The July 29 “Striking A Chord” Benefit Concert was conceived by local Carmel Valley resident Megan Spector after her Aunt Marjie Block was diagnosed with ALS. Currently there is no cure for this disease, and the life expectancy of patients is tragically short, typically 2-5 years from diagnosis. Megan’s

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Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education