George Michael, the English singer-songwriter who shot to stardom in the 1980s as half of the pop duo Wham! and went on to become one of the era’s biggest pop solo artists with hits such as “Faith” and “I Want Your Sex,” died over the Christmas holiday. He was 53. Michael died peacefully at his […]
Pop singer George Michael dies at 53 Read More »
International, Music, Dance, and Visual ArtsBy Mark D. Zimmerman MELVILLE, New York — It’s often said that Christmas music far surpasses the quality of Chanukkah music, thanks to the many Jewish composers who wrote such beautiful songs as White Christmas (Irving Berlin), The Christmas Song/Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire (Mel Tormé and Robert Wells), and I’ll Be Home For
Jewish trivia quiz: Jewish Christmas songs Read More »
Jewish Religion, Mark D. Zimmerman, Music, Dance, and Visual ArtsDonald Trump’s inauguration performance roster is shaping up to be even less impressive than his list of celebrity guests for the Republican National Convention. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir announced Thursday that it had accepted an invitation from the U.S. Presidential Inauguration Committee to sing at the swearing in ceremony for President-elect Donald Trump and his
Who’s Performing at Trump’s Inauguration? Read More »
Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, USAMANILA — American singer-songwriter James Taylor canceled an upcoming concert in Manila to protest Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs, a campaign of extrajudicial slaughter that has claimed more than 6,000 lives. Taylor, a Grammy winner known for songs including “Fire and Rain” and “You’ve Got a Friend,” canceled the show — part of
James Taylor cancels Manila concert, protesting Philippine president’s war on drugs Read More »
International, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts
By Mimi Pollack Makeda[/caption]SAN DIEGO –Makeda “Dread” Cheatom believes the world would be a better place if people took the time to learn about and respect other cultures. She believes there would be less prejudice and a greater understanding among people. Learning about different cultures and promoting unity in diversity have been lifelong passions for
Cross border cooperation for music, dance and the arts Read More »
International, Mimi Pollack, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, USAAmbassador Ronald S. Lauder Praises Obama and Congress for Delivering Overdue Justice to Holocaust Victims and Their Families WASHINGTON, Dec. 19, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — On Friday evening, President Barack Obama signed the Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery (HEAR) Act into law. The new law ends an era where victims of the Nazis and their descendants were
President Obama Signs Law to Aid Recovery of Nazi-Looted Art Read More »
International, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, USA
By Rabbi Michael Leo Samuel CHULA VISTA, California –This past Shabbat at Temple Beth Shalom we had a most remarkable discussion on the famous Russian painter, Marc Chagall, as we discussed his various paintings of Jesus’s crucifixion. A panel consisting of Dr. David Strom, Dr. Tzvi Sax, and myself explored the history of several of
Thoughts on Chagall’s ‘White Crucifixion’ Read More »
Jewish History, Michael Leo Samuel-Rabbi, Music, Dance, and Visual ArtsAndrea Bocelli is rumored to sing at Donald Trump’s inauguration next month, and not all of his fans are happy about it. Though Bocelli has neither confirmed nor denied the reports that he will perform a duet with “America’s Got Talent” singer Jackie Evancho at the event, some of his fans have started a “Boycott
A French court on Friday upheld the two-year suspended sentences of Pablo Picasso’s former electrician and his wife, who kept 271 of his artworks stashed in their garage for almost 40 years. Pierre Le Guennec and his wife Danielle were convicted last year of possessing stolen goods and for hiding the works from Picasso’s heirs.
Verdict upheld for elderly French couple who hid Picasso works in garage Read More »
International, Music, Dance, and Visual ArtsBy Dorothea Shefer-Vanson MEVASSERET ZION, Israel — Several years ago I read The Pianist of Willesden Lane written by Mona Golabek about the experiences of her mother, Lisa Jura, first in Vienna and then in London. She had been sent there at the age of fourteen in the framework of the Kindertransport, the undertaking that
In praise of Mona Golabek, author and performer Read More »
Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Dorothea Shefer-Vanson, Jewish History, Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual ArtsNEW YORK (Press Release) — The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today strongly condemned anti-Semitic lyrics in a newly released song by popular rapper Lupe Fiasco. In the song, “N.E.R.D.,” Fiasco rhymes about, “Artists getting robbed for their publishing by dirty Jewish execs who think that it’s alms from the covenant.” In response to a tweet from DJ
ADL protests rapper Lupe Fiasco’s lyrics Read More »
Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, USAAhuva Ozeri passed away on Tuesday at the age of 68, after a long battle with cancer. The funeral date has not been set. Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein eulogized: “Ahuva Ozeri was a unique figure who blended East and West in an amazing way in her melodies and her lyrics. Her dedication to her work
Beloved singer Ahuva Ozeri passes away Read More »
Middle East, Music, Dance, and Visual ArtsThe nominees for the 74th Golden Globe Awards have been announced. The 2017 Golden Globes Awards will be held Jan. 8 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills. Jimmy Fallon has been tapped to host the ceremony that will air live on NBC. Below is the complete list of nominees. ——— FILM ——— Motion
Golden Globes 2017: Complete list of nominees Read More »
Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Theatre, Film & BroadcastEsma Redžepova, the prominent and versatile Roma singer dubbed the “Romany music queen,” has died at the age of 73, hospital sources and her family said Sunday. The singer from Macedonia was one of the first vocalists in the Balkans to sing in the Romany language. She performed in some of the world’s greatest music
Remembering Esma Redžepova, the Romany queen of song Read More »
International, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, Obituaries & memorials