MUSICALS, COMEDIES, WORLD MUSIC AND MORE AT SAN DIEGO JEWISH ARTS FESTIVAL

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May 5, 2012 (San Diego) – San Diego Repertory Theatre (San Diego REP) hosts the 19th annual Lipinsky Family San Diego Jewish Arts Festival. The festival, rich in culture, talent, and Jewish soul, is organized and directed by Todd Salovey, associate artistic director, San Diego REP.

Festival performances are staged on various venues throughout San Diego County from May 7 to June 7, 2012, including San Diego Repertory Theatre, Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center, AVO Playhouse, Carlsbad Public Library, Encinitas Public Library and North Coast Repertory Theater.

Highlights include two free concerts; Broadway and PBS favorite Avi Hoffman’s “Still Jewish After All These Years,” the Mediterranean flavored band from Israel, Soulfarm featuring Grammy winner C. Lanzbom; and the popular Klezmer Summit featuring Common Chords with Yale Strom and United Nations Goodwill Ambassador Salman Ahmad.

The line-up for the festival includes:

“That’s Baseball” and “Fantography” Photo Exhibit
By Andy Strasberg

East County native Andy Strassberg, former SDSU pitcher/storyteller/baseball historian and San Diego Padres takes us on a heartfelt and humorous journey of unforgettable baseball life experiences. In his inimitable style, he tells stories of growing up in the Bronx in the shadow of Yankee Stadium, becoming a lifetime fan of slugger Roger Maris, and what it was like behind the “seams” working with Billy Crystal on the HBO movie “61*.” 

Prior to the Wednesday, May 23 performance of “That’s Baseball,” there will be a free event with former major league player, coach and manager Norm Sherry. Sherry is credited with transforming Sandy Koufax into a Hall of Fame pitcher and will discuss Jews and major league baseball. This pre-performance event begins at 6:30 p.m. If guests wish to see “That’s Baseball” they are encouraged to purchase tickets at the Lyceum Box Office.

Beginning Monday, May 14, there will be an exhibit in the Upper Lyceum gallery “Fantography” Strasberg’s collection of photographs of baseball taken by fans. The exhibit is sponsored by B.H. Gold and runs through Friday, June 8, 2012. Admission is free to view this gallery exhibit.

Performances of “That’s Baseball” are Wednesday, May 23, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. and Thursday, May 24, 2012 at 7:30 p.m., in the Lyceum Space at San Diego REPertory Theatre. Tickets are $18 per person and may be purchased from the Lyceum Box Office in person, by phone (619) 544-1000, or online at www.sdrep.org.

“Natasha and the Coat”
By Deborah Stein

A young New York fashion designer comes face to face with her Jewish roots when she becomes entangled with a Hasidic family and their young unmarried son. Coffee, a priceless fur coat and a dry cleaner all play a part in this comic take on fashion and religious tradition. 

“Natasha and the Coat” is a comedy staged reading presented in conjunction with Look & Listen, a performing arts series from the San Diego Center for Jewish Culture. Performances are Monday, May 7, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. at the David & Dorothea Garfield Theatre Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center in La Jolla and Tuesday, May 8, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. at the Ruby G. Schulman Auditorium, at the Dove Library in Carlsbad. Tickets are $10 for JCC members; $12 for non-members. Tickets may be purchased at the JCC Box Office. Call (858) 362-1362 for more information.

Klezmer Summit North County -- FREE concert

Alexander Gourevitch, with his daughter Nathalia and band Freilachs, touch the heart with favorites like “My Yiddische Momma,” as his Jewish soul soars from his clarinet and his whole body. Yale Strom with Hot Pstromi includes Mark Dressier, vocalist Elizabeth Schwartz, Trip Sprague and Lou Fanucchi. Strom brings well-known and newly discovered klezmer treasures from around the Jewish world. The San Diego Jewish Men’s Choir, under the direction of Ruth Lopez-Yanez, features soaring harmonies and melodies of beloved Jewish favorites from long ago and today.

The Klezmer Summit North County is Sunday, May 13, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at the AVO Playhouse. This event is free of charge and open to the public. Call (760) 724-2110 for more event details.  

“Still Jewish After All These Years”
By Avi Hoffman

A new music and comedy celebration by national PBS and Broadway favorite, Avi Hoffman will take you on a nostalgic, fun-filled journey through his entertaining life and works. Hoffman has entertained millions of people with his humor, his pathos and his passionate singing voice. His last appearance at the festival was in 2005 when his piece “Too Jewish” was a sold-out hit. Michael Larsen is musical director of “Still Jewish After All These Years.”

Preceding the one-night performance of “Still Jewish After All These Years” is a wine and cheese reception to celebrate the opening of the latest art installation in the Lyceum Theatre Gallery. “Enchilatkes” is a personal exhibit which brings together a group of 15 Mexican Jewish painters and photographers for the first time since they left Mexico to move to the United States. The event, which is free and open to the public, is on Monday, May 14, 2012 at 6:30 p.m.

“Still Jewish After All These Years” is Monday, May 14, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. in the Lyceum Space at San Diego REP. Tickets are $20 per person and may be purchased from the Lyceum Box Office in person, by phone (619) 544-1000, or online at www.sdrep.org.

Voice of Klezmer -- FREE concert
Starring Elizabeth Schwartz

Acclaimed Yiddish vocalist Elizabeth Schwartz is one of the world’s leading specialists in the Romanian style of klezmer. Accompanied by violinist Yale Strom and Lou Fanucchi on accordion, Schwartz will present a sumptuous feast of new and traditional beloved Yiddish, Ladino and Romanian songs in her celebrated soulful style.

Voice of Klezmer is Monday, May 21 at 6:30 p.m. at the Encinitas Public Library, 540 Cornish Drive in Encinitas. This event is free of charge and open to the public. Please call (760) 753-7376 for event information.

Soulfarm

One of the country’s most popular Jewish bands, Soulfarm was founded in Israel by Grammy Award-winner and lead guitarist C. Lanzbom and singer Noah Solomon Chase. Their live shows are full of Mediterranean flavor with captivating guitar leads, dance rhythms and strong percussion breaks. Soulfarm’s numerous albums have a wide range of influences from rock and Latin to Hebrew and Celtic folk music.

Soulfarm’s performance is Tuesday, May 29, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. in the Lyceum Stage at San Diego REP. Tickets are $18 per person and may be purchased from the Lyceum Box Office in person, by phone (619) 544-1000, or online at www.sdrep.org.

“El Primero” (in Spanish)
Performed by Teatro Punto y Coma

After 21 years, Teatro Punto y Coma revives its premiere production, "El Primero," originally  "The Line" by Israel Horovitz. Five eager people strive to be first in line, in this famous philosophic comedy.  Punto y Coma’s seventh festival appearance is directed by Emmy winner Pepe Stepensky, and stars the original cast: Joel Chait, Beto Cohen, Lizette Galicot, and Emmy winners Zeji Ojeri and David Chait. 

Performances are Saturday, June 2, 2012 at 9:00 p.m., Sunday, June 3, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. and Tuesday, June 5 at 8:00 p.m. Performances are at the Lyceum Space at San Diego REP. Tickets are $20 per person and may be purchased from the Lyceum Box Office in person, by phone (619) 544-1000, or online at www.sdrep.org.

Annual Klezmer Summit

The all new program starts with Yale Strom and Hot Pstromi. Strom has spent a lifetime discovering musical treasures from Eastern Europe. Wedding dances to folk songs to theatre songs, the Old World becomes the New World in Strom’s virtuoso hands.

This program also features Common Chords, a celebration of the shared musical roots of klezmer, jazz, Indian, Sufi, bhangra and old time rock. Klezmer enthusiasts will recognize Middle Eastern motifs shared by Jews and others. Common Chords takes beloved Jewish songs and stretches them into exciting realms of spiritual and emotional ecstasy shared by both Jewish and Sufi mystics. 

Common Chords is led by Salman Ahmad (creator of Sufi rock and United Nations Goodwill Ambassador to Southeast Asia) and klezmer great Yale Strom. Joining the duo are tabla virtuoso Samir Chatterjee, vocalist Elizabeth Schwartz, percussionist Sunny Jain, bassist Mark Dresser and local favorites Tripp Sprague and Lou Fanucchi.

Join us prior to the Monday, June 4 performance for a free pre-show discussion titled “Common Music in Colliding Cultures” with Yale Strom, Salman Ahmad, Elizabeth Schwartz, Sunny Jain, and Samir Chatterjee. This pre-performance event begins at 6:30 p.m.

The 11th annual Klezmer Summit is Monday, June 4, 2012 at 7:30 p.m., on the Lyceum Stage at San Diego REP. Tickets are $18 per person and may be purchased from the Lyceum Box Office in person, by phone (619) 544-1000, or online at www.sdrep.org.

“The Blessing of a Broken Heart”
By Todd Salovey
Based on the book by Sherri Mandell

“The Blessing of a Broken Heart” is the true story of a young American mother who moves her family from Maryland to the wilderness of Israel in search of meaning and adventure only to be immersed in the storm of a 3,000 year-old struggle. When a shocking tragedy hits the heart of her family, she embarks on a profound journey of discovery, growing faith and spiritual transcendence that becomes an inspiring story of healing and rebirth. Music and images from the Holy Land add to this touching story of a loving mother who discovers a courage she never knew she possessed.

Music and images from the Holy Land add to this inspiring story of healing and rebirth. “The Blessing of a Broken Heart” is the winner of the 2008 Edgerton New American Play Award. 

After the Tuesday, June 5 performance of “The Blessing of a Broken Heart,” there will be a free discussion about Israel today featuring Shliach Lee-El Lewinsohn from StandWithUs.

“The Blessing of a Broken Heart” is on Tuesday, June 5 at 7:30 p.m. at the North Coast Repertory Theater (NCRT). Tickets are $18 per person. To purchase, please call the NCRT Box Office (858) 481-1055 or order online at www.northcoastrep.org.

“Women of Valor”
Adapted from the book by Sherri Mandell
By Rebecca Myers, Leah Salovey, Todd Salovey, and Ali Viterbi

Live music, vivid images and heartwarming stories are combined to honor inspirational Jewish women who have made a difference in many lives. This year’s special women include Edith Eva Eger, Claire Ellman, Karen Flexer Friedenberg, Ana Galicot and Julia Stone.

“Women of Valor” is Thursday, June 7, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. in the Lyceum Space at San Diego REP. Tickets are $18 per person and may be purchased from the Lyceum Box Office in person, by phone (619) 544-1000, or online at www.sdrep.org. All ticket proceeds benefit SCY High School, Torah High School and San Diego Jewish Academy.

 


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