'There's a Jewish story everywhere'
 


Monday, September 14, 2009



Editor's Note: Events are listed in alphabetical order of the organization sponsoring them.

La Jolla Landmark Theatres—Play The Game screening— (Story by Sara Appel-Lennon):The San Diego Jewish Film Festival recently previewed Play the Game, written and directed by Marc Fienberg. The movie is based on Fienberg’s late grandfather, Joe Ward, a former La Mesa widower who had been married for 54 years to the same woman.Ward kept active and drove a car well into his 90s. He exercised regularly and bragged about his leg bench pressing abilities.Ward, better known as Papa Joe, served as the family comedian. He was of average height with a pot belly that he covered by wearing his pants almost up to his chest. Ward, like George Burns, liked to have fun and make people laugh. He was 89 when Fienberg wrote the script, which brought him to tears when he attended the script reading.Ward will be portrayed by Andy Griffith who starred in TV's Andy Griffith Show, and in Matlock, which, fittingly, was Ward’s favorite TV show. His heart-throb will be performed by Doris Roberts, who won five Emmy Awards for her role as Raymond’s mom on the nine year TV series, Everybody Loves Raymond. Roberts recently performed as Mrs. Darnell in Unusual Acts of Devotion at the La Jolla Playhouse.Ward’s girlfriend Edna will be acted by Liz Sheridan who played Jerry’s mom, Helen Seinfeld, in the Jerry Seinfeld TV show.Both Paul Campbell and Marla Sokoloff auditioned for the parts. Campbell played David, Joe’s grandson. He previously played the role of Billy Keikeya in Battlestar Galactica. Sokoloff played Julie, Rose’s granddaughter. She also acted as Lucy Hatcher in the TV series The Practice. Fienberg kidded that he got the actors the same way anyone gets actors in Hollywood, by sleeping with them. He said that Andy Griffith agreed to the part because he had a bedroom scene and he didn’t die at the end. Fienberg explained that both Griffith and Roberts liked the roles since they lead vibrant lives off stage, and wanted to show their vibrancy on screen. The movie begins when David visits his grandfather, Joe. David realizes that Joe hasn’t talked to anyone at the retirement home for the past two years since his wife died. Joe talks about giving up on life. David convinces Joe it’s time to meet women. He proceeds to teach his grand-father his own six steps to dating. The movie unfolds as David and Joe get back in the dating game and learn from each other along the way. Fienberg told the audience that he originally met his current wife in high school. He pursued her for twelve years using his tricks of the dating trade. Seven months after he stopped playing games, he and his wife became engaged. Two years ago they both quit their jobs in Chicago and moved to Los Angeles for Play the Game. Like their courtship the movie took twelve years. I laughed several times during this film. There are anecdotes of wisdom sandwiched with the humor. One example is when David asks Joe what kind of woman he wants to meet. Joe says that companionship is the real McCoy. He explains that you know if she’s the one when you
meet her or when you lose her. She’s a woman whose hand you want to hold.The film is a light romantic comedy which shows a senior’s slice of life. The film could bring a smile to your face and a realization that seniors need to feel loved and appreciated too.Play the Game will be screened on Friday September 11th-Thursday, September 17 in La Jolla at La Jolla Landmark Theatres, 8879 Villa La Jolla Drive, La Jolla 92037
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Lawrence Family JCC—Art exhibit—The Gotthelf Art Gallery, part of the San Diego Center for Jewish Culture at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center, JACOBS FAMILY CAMPUS, is pleased to announce the new exhibition Like Water on Rock: Exhibit by the Jewish Women Artists’ Network, running September 10, 2009 – October 30, 2009. Art is for sale, with all proceeds benefiting the artists and the Gotthelf Art Gallery. The title of this exhibit relates the phenomenon of the soft continuous drip of water that eventually erodes a hard rock to personal, familial, communal or global challenge and change. The poetry and image of Like Water on Rock provoke a variety of responses and suggests a relationship between time, the human process, the persistence of change and the many layers of meaning that speak to each artist in her own way Dr. Barbara Gilbert, Senior Curator Emerita of The Skirball Cultural Center, Los Angeles, selected the work for this exhibition. Dr Gilbert points out the great diversity in this exhibition as well as the wide range of personal expression: “Beginning in the nineteen-sixties when artists in greater numbers began to explore the potential of their Jewish heritage, most efforts were identity-based. Like Water on Rock provides an opportunity for artists to transcend this earlier approach, challenging them to think expansively and take ideas and values inherent to Jewish tradition, adapting them to concerns of the larger society.” The participating artists are: Linda Arreola, Ruth Askren, Madeleine Avirov, Helene Aylon, Carol Buchman, Emily Corbato, Anne Doris-Eisner, Harriet Finck, Karen Frostig, Teresa Gale, Sari Gilbert-Batchelor, Fay Grajower, Beth Haber, Katherine Janus Kahn, Rachel Kanter, Julie Klaper, Wendy Sue Lamm, Elaine Langerman, Aline Mare, Freyda Miller, Priscilla Otani, Margaret Parker, Roxanne Phillips, Cindy Rinne, Launa D. Romoff, Dawn Saks, Masha Schweitzer, Margaret Silverman, Simone Soltan and Marian Yap.Thirty artists from across the United States were selected to comprise this exhibit. "To have thirty talented Jewish women artists exploring the theme of change is exciting to see, "says Randy Savarese, Gotthelf Art Gallery Committee Chair. "We are excited to give these artists a platform to exhibit their diverse work and the San Diego community an opportunity share art from around the country." The Jewish Women Artist’s Network is a special interest group within the National Women’s Caucus for Art (WCA) and is the only organization of professional Jewish women artists in the United States. The Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center, JACOBS FAMILY CAMPUS, is located at 4126 Executive Drive, La Jolla. Gallery hours are Sunday-Friday, 9 a.m.—5 p.m. For more information about the Gotthelf Art Gallery and other programs of the San Diego Center for Jewish Culture, visit the web site at www.sdcjc.org or call (858) 457-3030.

Lawrence Family JCC—Figure Study Painting—Gesture and long painting poses, instructed by Annette Paquet of San  Diego Community College, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Free.  For more information (858) 457-3030 or via the website www.lfjcc.org

Lawrence Family JCC—Film Fans—The Soloist, starring Jamie Foxx and Robert Downey Jr., in which a reporter comes to the aid of a Juilliard-trained street musician, will be screened at 1:30 p.m. at the Lawrence Family JCC, with discussion, refreshments, to follow.  Admission: $2 JCC members, $3 non-member. More information: (858) 457-3030, or via the website, www.lfjcc.org

Lawrence Family JCC—Law and the Retiree—Rick Levine of San Diego Community College discusses issues of interest to seniors including elections, court cases, law reform, tax cuts, foreign affairs, from 9:15 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. For more information (858) 457-3030 or via the website www.lfjcc.org

Lawrence Family JCC—Pan Card Game – For JCC members only, no fee; 11:45 a.m to 3:15 p.m. For more information (858) 457-3030 or via the website www.lfjcc.org

Lawrence Family JCC –Piano Keyboard Lessons – 12:45 p.m. – 3:45 p.m..  Basic skills and fundamentals, techniques in performance, improvisation and chord building.  Instructor: Naomi Hobbs, San Diego Community College.  Free.  For more information (858) 457-3030 or via the website www.lfjcc.org

Lawrence Family JCC—Senior Aerobics –Improve cardiovascular fitness, range of motion, flexibility, endurance and energy levels, 9:15 a.m.-10:15 a.m.  Free for members; $10 per class, non members.  (858) 362-1337, or via the website www.lfjcc.org

Lawrence Family JCC
—Senior Double Tennis—Play on the Lawrence Family JCC courts, 4126 Executive Drive, at 8 a.m. Members free, non-members $5.  For more information (858) 362-1337, or via the website www.lfjcc.org

Lawrence Family JCC –Tai Chi/Qi Gong for Older Adults—Leslie Johnson Leech of San Diego Community College instructs simple moves to help increase energy, strengthen immune system, reduce stress and discover joy through movement, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.  For more information (858) 362-1337, or via the website www.lfjcc.org

Lawrence Family JCC
– Watercolor Painting —Annette Paquet of San Diego Community College teaches color quality, theory, value and composition from 12:15 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. Free. More information (858) 362-1337, or via the website www.lfjcc.org

Orchestra Nova— Concert-—Lindsay Deutsch returns as Orchestra Nova’s principal guest artist after a series of “standing ovation” performances with the orchestra, formerly the San Diego Chamber Orchestra, two seasons ago. A Jewish community member described as a "passionate performer filled with limitless energy," Lindsay will perform Mozart’s Concerto No. 3 with the orchestra for their season opener this Friday, September 11, at St. Paul’s Cathedral downtown, with follow-on concerts at Sherwood Hall in La Jolla Monday September 14 and at the Irwin Jacobs Auditorium at Qualcomm in Sorrento Valley September 19.Lindsay has thrilled audiences since she was 11 years old when she made her performance debut. As a young artist in the dawn of her career, dedication and determination are two of the most important elements for her success. Once the #1 ranked junior racquetball player in the world, before a knee injury forced her to quit, Lindsay has learned all about dedication and determination. With a bit of humor, she notes, “Now I stick to ping-pong. It is much safer and, although I don’t compete, I still play to win!” Featured by the internationally known Strad Magazine as their pick of “Up-and-Coming Musicians” in April 2007, her calendar is filled with festivals and guest appearances, but Lindsay still finds the time to cultivate music appreciation in young people. In 2007, she and her sister Lauren co-founded Classics Alive, a nonprofit organization dedicated to building classical music audiences of young people. They do this by teaming young artists with symphonies and schools, mentoring young musicians and by providing performance and listening opportunities for young musicians. Lindsay has a special affinity for Orchestra Nova and its leader, artistic director and conductor Jung-Ho Pak. She says, “I first met Jung-Ho at a summer music festival when I was 10 years old. That experience with him really lit a musical fire within me and made me realize that music was what I wanted to spend my life doing. Working with Jung-Ho again all these years later is really a special experience for me because I still feed off of the innovative, fiery energy he creates onstage.” Pak says, “Lindsay is one of the most dynamic, athletic and passionate violin soloists in the country today. As an indication of how highly we prize our association with her, we have named her our principal guest artist. The audience is in for a real treat for this season opener of what promises to be a fantastic season.” In addition to the challenging concerto, the orchestra will explore the other facets of Mozart - as the court musician (Three German Dances, complete with a quartet of Classical court dancers) and the symphonist (the incomparable Symphony No. 40). More information on the Orchestra Nova website at http://www.orchestranova.org/

 




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