The Buddha never did take kindly to all the fuss. His lofty place in religious circles was a fabrication, he said ” he had no more answers to life’s riddles than the rest of us, and those answers were available at the drop of a hat, to wit: “Within this very fathom-long body, with its perceptions and inner sense, lies the world, the cause of the world, the cessation of the world and the path that leads to the cessation of the world.”
That may seem out of place for a discussion about the 13th annual Lipinsky Family San Diego Jewish Arts Festival, but it’s actually pretty relevant, for two reasons: Jewish mysticism teaches much the same thing about the human body’s central place in spiritual evolution, and the festival’s opening entry provided an ideal case in point. The program for Malashock Dance Company’s “Fathom: The Body As Universe,” in fact, included a reference to the Buddha and his nod to our crucial physical being.
The world-premiere piece, which opened May 12 at the Stephen and Mary Birch North Park Theatre, was a breathtaking lesson on such introspection, replete with a color-complementary visual arts background that defied description. Its only major flaw is its closure, which was May 21. But there’s more where that came from, with nine additional festival events scheduled at various area venues through June 21. The festival closes the San Diego Repertory Theatre’s 30th season and is presented in association with The Center for Jewish Culture and Creativity.
“Jeffrey Siegel ” Keyboard Conversations: Mozart & Gershwin” is Siegel’s musical exploration of the thematic and historical relationship between the famed Austrian composer and Jewish music. It takes place Monday, June 5, at 7:30 p.m. at the Rep’s Lyceum mainstage. ($19-$22)
“A Tribute to an Uncommon Playwright: Wendy Wasserstein” marks the January death of this modern American playwright, one of very few women to win a Pulitzer Prize for drama. Three of her works ” “Uncommon Women and Others,” “Isn’t It Romantic” and “The Heidi Chronicles” ” will be staged Monday through Wednesday, June 5 through 7, at 7:30 p.m. at the North Coast Repertory Theatre, 987-D Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach. ($13-$15; all three evenings for $36)
The world-renowned Kol Zimra vocal quintet has performed everywhere from Israel to the White House with its repertory of popular Jewish songs. The group, whose visit is sponsored by Southern California Yeshiva High School, will perform Sunday, June 11, at 7 p.m. at the Rep’s Lyceum space. ($22-$25)
The sixth annual Klezmer Summit includes the New Orleans Klezmer All-Stars and its schmaltzy take on this famed genre of Jewish music. The program also includes several song and dance performances and special narration by Rabbi Arnold Kopikis. The summit takes place Monday, June 12, at 7 p.m. at the rep’s Lyceum stage. ($19-$22)
“Blessings of a Broken Heart” is a world-premiere reading of a new work based on Sherri Mandell’s journey of faith following the murder of her son. Through the work, Mandell seeks to place her pain in perspective amid 3,000 years of Jewish tradition. The reading will take place Tuesday, June 20, at 7:30 p.m. at the Rep’s Lyceum stage. ($15-$18)
“BAT 58: A Tribute to Israeli Music” is a multimedia program celebrating Israel through song. It features acclaimed San Diego educator Zeji Ozeri and a full band, video and dance. The program is sponsored by Tarbut L’Shalom and will be presented Wednesday, June 21, at 7:30 p.m. at the Rep’s Lyceum stage. ($18-$25)
Tickets can be purchased at San Diego Repertory Theatre’s box office, 79 Horton Plaza downtown, or by calling (619) 544-1000. Admission is also available on-line at www.sandiegorep.com.