Eileen Wingard

Eileen Wingard

Eileen Wingard, a retired violinist with the San Diego Symphony, is a freelance writer specializing in coverage of the arts.

In La Jolla, Steven Schick Ascends the Podium in New Role as Conductor Emeritus

By Eileen Wingard   LA JOLLA, California — Steven Schick, celebrated conductor, master percussionist, and distinguished UCSD professor, has commissioned over 150 new works. His latest was awarded to UCSD alumnus, Mary Kouyoumdjian for her piece, “Walking with Ghosts,” the opener of the La Jolla Symphony & Chorus’ February 11 concert at Mandeville Hall. Schick, […]

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Eileen Wingard, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County

‘Intersections’ Showcases the Diverse Talents of Klezmer Musician Yale Strom

By Eileen Wingard LA JOLLA, California — “Intersections” is the name of a new 12-part series curated and hosted by the multitalented Yale Strom. Each month this year, Strom will introduce a diverse array of artists for programs at UCSD’s Park & Market, a new venue at 1100 Market Street in San Diego. The programs,

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Eileen Wingard, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County

JCC Program to Spotlight Exotic Ladino Melodies

By Eileen Wingard LA JOLLA, California — The exotic melodies and improvisatory style of Ladino (Judeo-Spanish) songs evoke the colorful bougainvillea and balmy nights of Spain, even though much of that music was composed by the Sephardic Jews after their expulsion. They were driven out of Spain in 1492, then from Portugal five years later.

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Eileen Wingard, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County

Three Jewish Poets Share Their Creativity at the JCC

Julie Potiker, Robert Nejmias, and Lisa Schwartz were the featured poets for the second evening of Jewish Poets—Jewish Voices’ 15th season on January 17 at the Astor Judaica Library in the Lawrence Family JCC.  They all read their own works and the audience was totally engaged by the creativity and beauty of their poems, as well as their self-assured presentations.  Examples from each are at the end of this article. [Eileen Wingard]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Eileen Wingard

Ukrainian Pianist Romanenko Delights at Impromptu Recital

Pianist Iegor Romanenko from Kharkiv, Ukraine, sat down to give an impromptu recital last Sunday afternoon at the home of Solana Salons’ hostess, Monique Kunewalder. Although arranged just days before, Romanenko’s performance drew fifty guests to listen to this talented refugee musician. [Eileen Wingard]

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Eileen Wingard, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County

Jewish Poets-Jewish Voices Continues to Tap Into Community’s Creativity

By Eileen Wingard LA JOLLA, California — The 15th season of Jewish Poets-Jewish Voices continues on Tuesday evening, January 17, at 7 p.m., featuring three Jewish poets from our community, Roberto Nejmias, Julie Potiker, and Lisa Schwartz. Register here: https://my.lfjcc.org/12680/12681 Nejmias writes in Spanish and his sister, Sara Artenstein, will be reading the English translations.

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Eileen Wingard, San Diego County

Yiddish Songs to Kick Off New Musical Series at Lawrence Family JCC

By Eileen Wingard LA JOLLA, California — A new series of Treasures from the Music Collection of the Astor Judaica Library will be launched on Thursday, January 5, 2 p.m. in the library of the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center. Register here. The three-part series will feature songs of our people, opening with Yiddish Songs.

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Eileen Wingard, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County

Program Fuses New and Old Music, Creativity, Meaningful Connection to Chanukah

By Eileen Wingard LA JOLLA, California — The Litvak Dancers’ LIGHT and Yale Strom’s Broken Consort program served as a memorable opening for the eight nights of Chanukah. Performed on the first night of the holiday for an appreciative audience in the Lawrence Family JCC’s Garfield Auditorium, the two-part program was presented by the Center

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Eileen Wingard, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County

A Brazilian-born San Diegan’s Chanukah Song

By Eileen Wingard LA JOLLA, California — Brazilian-born singer Carla Berg’s original Chanukah song, “Nes” (Miracle), with lyrics in Ladino, is available as a video clip on YouTube and on other digital platforms. It was produced by Allan Phillips at APMStudio in San Diego and was released last year. It is a welcome addition to

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Eileen Wingard, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County

‘Light’ and ‘Hot Pstromi’ Served on 1st Night of Hanukkah at Lawrence Family JCC

By Eileen Wingard LA JOLLA, California — The first night of Hanukkah, December 18, at 7 p.m., the Festival of Lights will be celebrated at the Garfield Theatre, Lawrence Family JCC by a performance of “Light,” by the LITVAKdancers, to original music composed by Yale Strom. He and his band, Hot Pstromi, will be accompanying

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Eileen Wingard, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County

Tifereth Israel Community Orchestra Successfully Tackles Tchaikowsky

By Eileen Wingard LA JOLLA, California — It was pretty remarkable that Tchaikowsky’s monumental Symphony #4, with its opening horn fanfare of Fate and its finale, often taken at break-neck speed, was successfully tackled by TICO, the Tifereth Israel Community Orchestra. Sure, there were a few places that barely held together, but the beautiful solo

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Eileen Wingard, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County

Local Performances Spotlight Holocaust-Era Composers

By Eileen Wingard LA JOLLA, California — Canadian-born pianist, Daniel Wnukowski, performed at two venues during his recent visit to San Diego County. On Sunday afternoon, November 13, he gave a recital of works by Mozart, Chopin and Schumann in the Solana Salons series at the home of pianist and series host, Monique Kunewalder. His

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Eileen Wingard, Music, Dance, and Visual Arts, San Diego County

Returning In-Person, Jewish Poets-Jewish Voices Features Poem on Lviv and More

By Eileen Wingard   LA JOLLA, California — The first in-person program of Jewish Poets-Jewish Voices in two years took place in the Astor Judaica Library Tuesday evening, October 25, and featured three Southern California poets, Nathan Grinshpun, Jane Muschenetz, and Omer Zalmanowitz. Moderator Joy Heitzmann introduced them. First to read was Nathan Grinshpun. Although

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Eileen Wingard, San Diego County

Jewish Poets/ Jewish Voices’ New Season Begins Oct. 25

The opening Jewish Poets–Jewish Voices program of the 2022-23 season will feature three local poets who immigrated to San Diego from other countries. The Tuesday, October 25, 7:00 p.m. gathering will take place in person in the Astor Judaica Library and feature Ukrainian native Jane Muschenetz, Uzbekistan-born Nathan Grinshpun,  and Tel Avivian, Omer Zalmanowitz. [Eileen Wingard]

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Books, Poetry & Short Stories, Eileen Wingard, International, San Diego County, USA