The Arts

Soprano Saxophonist Steven Banks Delights SDSO Audience

The ovation for Banks’ expressive playing was such that he returned to the stage for an encore, Sarabande, by Johann Sebastian Bach. It confirmed that this timeless Baroque music was as profoundly beautiful played on an unconventional instrument as on the string instrument for which it was originally written. [Eileen Wingard]

Soprano Saxophonist Steven Banks Delights SDSO Audience Read More »

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

Blood and Comic-Con

Eight weeks have come and gone and my time to donate blood reoccurred this week. A few weeks before I am eligible, my cellphone starts ringing with pleas to make an appointment. I am always so honored to receive these calls since it shows how much I mean to the San Diego Blood Bank. [Cailin Acosta]

Blood and Comic-Con Read More »

Cailin Acosta, Israel, Jewish Religion, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

Parallels Between the Musical ‘Hamilton’ and Counting the Omer

On the surface, a hip-hop musical about an American Founding Father might seem worlds away from the Counting of the Omer (which we are doing now, on our way to Shavuot). However, when we delve into the underlying themes of both, some intriguing parallels emerge, especially concerning progress, reflection, and the anticipation of something significant. [Barrett Holman Leak]

Parallels Between the Musical ‘Hamilton’ and Counting the Omer Read More »

Barrett Holman Leak, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USA

Today’s Jewish Birthday: Naomi Klein

Naomi Klein (May 8, 1970) is a Canadian author, social activist, and filmmaker known for her political analyses; support of ecofeminism, organized labour, and criticism of corporate globalization, fascism and capitalism. In 2021, Klein took up the UBC Professorship in Climate Justice, joining the University of British Columbia’s Department of Geography. [Wikipedia]

Today’s Jewish Birthday: Naomi Klein Read More »

Theatre, Film & Broadcast, Today's Jewish Birthday, Wikipedia

Beethoven’s ‘Archduke Trio’ Performed by an International Group of Musicians

The German violinist, Anne-Sophie Mutter; the Spanish cellist, Pablo Ferrandez; and the Russian-Israeli pianist, Yefim Bronfman, joined forces to deliver definitive performances of Beethoven’s Archduke Trio and Tchaikovsky’s Trio at the Balboa Theater last Saturday evening. [Eileen Wingard]

Beethoven’s ‘Archduke Trio’ Performed by an International Group of Musicians Read More »

Eileen Wingard, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Staff and Bylined Contributors

‘Motti Wolkenbruch’ Portrays Another Jew Falling in Love with a Christian

Motti and Mechal (Lena Kalisch) agree that their union is a match to please their over controlling mothers. Meanwhile, Motti begins talking with a non-Jewish student, Laura (Noemie Schmidt), and they go on a couple of dates. He knows his mother will not be pleased. [Cailin Acosta]

‘Motti Wolkenbruch’ Portrays Another Jew Falling in Love with a Christian Read More »

Cailin Acosta, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast

Jewish Biography: Matvey Bronstein, Physicist and Children’s Author

On the advice of the Jewish children’s poet Samuil Marshak, he began writing science fiction books for children. The first two stories – “Solar Matter” and “Rays of X” – were printed in the magazine Koster in 1934 and 1936, respectively. The third story, “The Inventors of the Radio Telegraph,” was also published in the Koster magazine. [Alex Gordon]

Jewish Biography: Matvey Bronstein, Physicist and Children’s Author Read More »

Alex Gordon, Books, Poetry & Short Stories, International, Jewish History, Science, Medicine, & Education, Staff and Bylined Contributors