The Arts

Jewish musicians focus of Jewish American Heritage Month

PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania (Press Release)—Jewish American Heritage Month (JAHM), a national commemoration of the contributions that Americans Jews have made to the fabric of our nation’s history, culture, and society. The theme for the May 2018 celebration is American Jews and Music, which focuses on the rich and deep influence of American Jews on American music

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Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, USA

San Diego Symphony begins salute to Bernstein today; A columnist remembers her encounters with ‘Lenny’

By Eileen Wingard SAN DIEGO — The San Diego Symphony, like many other orchestras throughout the world, is honoring the centennial birthday of Leonard Bernstein, the great 20th century American conductor, composer, pianist and educator, by including his works in all three Masterworks symphony programs during the month of May, as well as in a

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Eileen Wingard, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, San Diego Calendar, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

Jews and the culinary revolution

Andrew Friedman, Chefs, Drugs and Rock & Roll, How Food Lover, Free Spirits, Misfits and Wanderers Created a New American Profession, Ecco, $27.99, 464 pages © Oliver B. Pollak RICHMOND, California — Andrew Friedman gave a reading at San Francisco’s Omnivore Bookstore.  After the talk I asked the author if the book has some Jewish content.

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Oliver Pollak, Travel and Food

Snippet of ‘Power’ performed at YAAANA

By Ren Feldman SAN DIEGO — This past Sunday, a group of bubbies, babies, and everyone in between gathered to celebrate the one year anniversary of YAAANA, Yiddish Arts and Academics Association of North America hosted by the group’s founder, Jana Mazurkiewicz Meisarosh. The intergenerational gala kicked off with a schmoozy cocktail hour, mingling among

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San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Travel and Food

Art of Yiddish children’s books on exhibit

AMHERST, Massachusetts (Press Release) – The visiting exhibit Through the Yiddish Looking Glass: The Art of Yiddish Children’s Literature is on view at the Yiddish Book Center in Amherst, Massachusetts. The exhibit will be at the Center’s Brechner Gallery through Fall 2018. Through the Yiddish Looking Glass features Yiddish children’s book illustrations, created by artists who

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Jewish History, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, USA

Natalie Portman is a fine actress, but …

First of two articles By Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California — Lately, it seems as though Natalie Portman has transformed herself into a human lightning rod. She created a storm of controversy and gave the Palestinians in Gaza far more respectability than they deserved by canceling plans to receive a prestigious Genesis Award

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Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Middle East, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

Jewish trivia quiz: Verne Troyer

By Mark D. Zimmerman MELVILLE, New York — Actor Verne Troyer, best known for playing Mini-Me in the Austin Powers movies, died last week. In 2011, he visited Israel. Besides visiting the Western Wall, what else did Troyer do in Israel? A. Troyer, a Catholic, was in Israel to speak at the Youth Summit for Peace, sponsored by

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Mark D. Zimmerman, Middle East, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Trivia, Humor & Satire

A journalist’s life in David Feldman’s memoir

Irreverent Forever: True Tales From a Newspaperman’s Outrageously Rewarding Life by David Arledge Feldman; © 2018, Gray Castle Publishing, ISBN 9781987-713190; 226 pages plus appendix and acknowledgments. By Donald H. Harrison   SAN DIEGO – Journalist David Arledge Feldman inherited his father’s sense of humor, but not his Jewish religion.  For most of his life,

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Donald H. Harrison, International, Jewish History, Middle East, San Diego County, USA

‘Noises Off’ brings you behind the scenes of a comedy

By Eva Trieger CORONADO, California — Noises Off, the British play-within-a-play, was conceived by writer Michael Frayn in 1970, as he watched Vanessa Redgrave from the wings, perform in a show he authored. What he discovered was that the play was much funnier from off-stage and so he created this clever idea for his British

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Eva Trieger, San Diego County, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

‘Evening with Groucho’ brings back funnyman Marx

By Eva Trieger SOLANA BEACH, California — A delighted North Coast Repertory Theater audience watched in amazement Tuesday night, as Frank Ferrante became funnyman Groucho Marx.  Before our very eyes, Ferrante painted on his mustache, donned rimmed glasses and adopted the familiar Noo Yawk accent in his lightning quick banter. The ninety-minute show recalled Marx

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Eva Trieger, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Trivia, Humor & Satire