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San Diego's Top Weekend Events: From Balanchine To Cherry Blossoms

A photo from City Ballet's Balanchine Masterworks 2016.
Courtesy of City Ballet of San Diego
A photo from City Ballet's Balanchine Masterworks 2016.

Arts and culture happenings for Friday, March 4, through Sunday, March 6, 2016

San Diego's Top Weekend Events: From Balanchine To Cherry Blossoms San Diego's Top Weekend Events: From Balanchine To Cherry Blossoms
San Diego’s Top Weekend Events: From Balanchine To Cherry Blossoms GUEST: Nina Garin, KPBS Arts Calendar Editor and Producer

Admiral the national news that the summer the California assembly has voted to raise the smoking aged 18 to 21. Today's vote is the first piece of the package of tobacco related legislation scheduled for discussion. It would make California among the first day to make -- raise the smoking age. Dozens of security experts are warning that Donald Trump is unfit to be commander-in-chief. In a letter released late yesterday, Michael Chertoff had more than's 70 other experts wrote that they are united in their opposition to a Trump presidency. The stage for tonight's presidential debate in Detroit will be a bit emptier. Ben Carson is skipping the event after skipping his campaign leaving just for candidates. It is 12:36 PM. You are listening to KPBS Midday Edition. This is KPBS Midday Edition. I am Maureen Cavanaugh. San Diego author paper Ferruccio Furlanetto returns to present his first solo concert recital in America this Saturday at the Joan and Irwin Jacobs Music Center. Ferruccio has performed in San Diego most recently in "Don Quixote". KPBS arts reporters Beth Accomando spoke with them during a break . First of all do you remember the first upper you saw and what it Krishna made a new? Of course it was quite adventurous. Was in a very small village. It was a beautiful old fashion theater. It is the kind we have a negatively. There were three days of rehearsals. And that was my very first time on a stage. It has been fascinating because from the very first moment I understood the magic of this profession. Then, famous it was quite easy to continue. But the first role that I had done was quite adventurous. A young boy with no experience at all and three days of rehearsals including the orchestra it was overwhelming but when 12. How early did you decide to create? -- Career? [ Indiscernible ] [ Music ] I was born with a voice. I was singing since I remember it for years old or five years old. I remember my great grandfather was a fanatic about Opera. He was teaching me tender, and every scene for his pleasure. Then when I was a teenager I was the second half of the 60s. And a group. I was lead guitar and lead voice over this group. I also did some -- I did the pop. It was a bit like we save people sleeping under the bridge. I did quit. I was continuing my studies which were completely different. It was a very humanistic school. I studied a lot of ancient Greek philosophy. Then when I was 22, my sister and my mother, did seeing a bit of Opera, she kept telling me why don't you try Opera. So I did. I know that I have a voice, I have to do something with this a voice. And she introduced me to this very famous voice teacher. After a year I was on stage. What draws you to Opera? What you feel you can do their that you can do anywhere else forget the same satisfaction? You can be somebody else for three hours. To be a king. You can be a double. You can be "Don Quixote". The humanity of this character is it unique. And to have the chance to be for 3.5 hours on stage these amazing, fantastic characters is an enormous privilege. You have a long history with the San Diego Opera. Do have a favorite role you've performed here? Back I have performed all my favorite roles. It is difficult to say which I prefer the most. I have a special weakness towards "Don Quixote" . I would say. Is F --[ Music ] But I was extremely pleased to have the chance to[ Indiscernible ] Which is a very rare Opera and a sensational piece of theater and music. I had the chance to do it, and it was great. They are all like my children. It is difficult to say which I prefer. You had a chance to do "Don Quixote" when they Opera is going through some troubled times. What was like proof forming -- performing that particular role about a dreamer and achieving an impossible dream at that time? It was more dramatic to do the Requiem in the announcement. Look like it did not happen. It was hard because I saw all these people working for the San Diego Opera in the wings that I knew had seen so many years totally destroyed. They were in tears. San Diego occupies a very special place in my heart. So to be there for this announcement and this perspective of closing, and "Don Quixote" would have been the last know that it was not easy. But in your very special's place and the sensitivity, it was ported I think to make -- important to make the audience understand what risk they were running and what they could have lost. So it was a very successful round of performances. I think that the audience understood because we are still here to talk about it. Will be performing a concert here. What are you planning for it? What music selections and how to choose that? When there was this dramatic time two years ago know that at the time of proposed to take care of the rental of the theater myself into give the audience and the people of San Diego an idea of what they were going to lose. And the only possibility that we had was to come here with that famous concert. So instead about doing a show about[ Indiscernible ] , We decided to put something that put more -- together more or less everything it done here, Giovanni, follows the "Don Quixote" . [ Music ] It was just an idea to be present soon after this tragic moment. And here you. -- And here I am. What's the difference of doing -- It is obviously more difference because you are alone. You have many arias, two big scenes constant musical songs that I never did. Of course, the weight of this program is bigger than any role you can imagine. It is -- of course you must be extremely sure what you are doing. You must be under control of your capability. You must have the chance like we are doing in a Newhall like this where I have never been before. Coming into a new bed -- venue like this is kind of like athlete trying out a new tracker field. Do you have to feel it out? In the moment you were on stage and you feel the return or what would be the return of the voice you take immediately the measures. Last summer, for example, I was in Sydney for the first time. I was in this beautiful building. The stage acoustic was terrible. It was very muffled. In two years copyable close it for eight months and do some adjustments. In those cases you need to know your profession. You just switch on the GPS and you go without expecting any kind of return of the voice. You just need to trust yourself. I want to thank you for your time. Bulk, matter -- thank you, Madam. Ferruccio Furlanetto will be performing selections from his favorite Opera's this Saturday at the Joan and Irwin Jacobs Music Center this Saturday. Music back -- [ Music ] Choreography rarely seen live outside of the city low riders and cherry blossoms are on the weekend preview can do order today. Joining me is Nina Garin, arts calendar editor and producer. Nina welcome. Thank you. This is an all Balanchine program remind me who George Balanchine is and why this is unique? He is considered to be the father of American ballet. It was the artistic director of the New York City ballet. His dances are very rarely performed outside of that company. It is special because the director of the San Diego ballet was coached by Balanchine. He has a special relationship with the company. And his company has given permission to put on his ballets. Back we had music from month pieces they will be doing. This is from "Square Dance."[ Music ] This doesn't sound like square dance. That is Vivaldi. Those are baroque styles. The movements that Balanchine puts with it are inspired by "Square Dance." and modern choreography of ballet. What else will people see? Something else that they are excited about our emeralds from the jewels it is a three-part ballet that has emeralds, rubies, and diamonds. Emeralds is the prettiest one. You will also be performed. Let's move on to a string quartet. What can you tell us about Meccore String Quartet. It's a group of four Polish performers. They perform works by Polish composers which is something we don't here in America very much. They bring some of that, some of their Polish music to American audiences. What audiences does it attract? Definition to bring chamber music to younger audiences. They do attract a younger crowd. I think we have some of the musics you can hear what I mean. [ Music ] So that's the kind of thing that attracts young audiences? Yes. They are ambassadors of the young polling program which is reawakening the whole Polish art scene. Their mission is to make music more accessible for everybody. The Meccore string quartet performs on Friday night. I forgot to mention we were talk about the City Ballet of San Diego.the Balanchine masterworks 2016 that happens Friday through Sunday at Spreckels Theatre. Let's move on to something that the San Diego Art Institute is putting on. It's not normally expected what is going on? They are having a street party. They Street Art & Lowrider Festivalwill be going a common with a will be showcasing art from Chicano culture. There will be graffiti, there will be music. It is celebration of art of that region. So there will be Carson prayed? Yes about 50 cars. We have the artist that is going to be featured is [ Indiscernible Name ] Ponca -- PANCA. They have grotesque figures. It is become her signature. There will also be some printmakers and artists from the barrio Logan galleries representing their work also. And those of low rating cars are works of art -- low writing cars are works of art. And the decorations know that Arends the sparkly paint jobs. How is this a family-friendly event? It is family friendly but it is also are related because they will have print making activities for children. There will be regional music and there will be Street tacos. The street art and lowrider Festival is on Saturday. When introduce this is that it's being put on by Balboa Park Museum. But it's actually at the Jacobs center. Yes. Now we can go on to something that is happening in Balboa Park. It's the cherry blossom Festival. It's at the Japanese Friendship Garden. Why is this so popular? It is so pretty and relaxing entity to enjoy Japanese culture. They have music, dancing, and a lot of treats. It has become so popular that there are shuttles the to from the park direct leave their. It is in its 11th year. Doing all of the cherry blossoms are actually in Bloom right now? I am not sure. They are only in Bloom for one or two weeks which is why they celebrate this in the first place. In Japan it is called hanami. It is something they do every year and it is enjoyed the flower. It is that transient thing. Asian culture is so aware of that. There has also been a great deal of renovation to the Japanese Friendship Garden itself, hasn't there? Yes. You can enter this year, previously you could only enter from the top of the museum. But now you can actually buy your tickets and enter through the expanded parts. I try to check to see if there would be blooms. I am hoping that there are. Well if there is not blooms, there is a sake garden right? Yes there is sake. And Japanese beer and T -- tea. If you're interested in and it traditional tea ceremony they will have that as well. The 11th annual cherry blossom Festival happens Saturday and Sunday at the Japanese friendship Garden in Balboa Park. You can see more of what is happening around town in the KPBS art section at kpbs.org. I've been speaking with Nina Garin, the arts calendar editor and producer. As always con Nina, thank you.

City Ballet's Balanchine Masterworks 2016: City Ballet of San Diego presents an all-Balanchine program with accompaniment by The City Ballet Orchestra.

George Balanchine is widely considered to be the greatest choreographer of the 20th century who changed the art of ballet with his modern vision of ballet. Though his dances are mostly performed at New York City Ballet, The George Balanchine Trust has granted City Ballet permission to stage "Concerto Barocco," Emeralds from "Jewels" and "Square Dance" for the 2016 event.

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Details: 8 p.m. Friday, March 4 and Saturday, March 5; 2 p.m. Sunday, March 6. Spreckels Theatre, 121 Broadway, downtown. $29 to $79; online details or call (858) 272-8663.

A photo of Poland's Meccore String Quartet.
Courtesy of UC San Diego
A photo of Poland's Meccore String Quartet.

Meccore String Quartet: UC San Diego's ArtPower presents a concert by Poland's Meccore String Quartet.

Formed by four of Europe’s most celebrated young string players, the quartet is known for its breathtaking performances, flawless technique and visionary interpretations. Mecorre won second prize — and three additional special prizes — at the Wigmore Hall International String Quartet Competition.

Details: 8 p.m. Friday, March 4. Conrad Prebys Concert Hall, Russell Lane, UC San Diego. $12 to $54; online details or call (858) 534-8497.

A graphic promoting San Diego Art Institute's Street Art & Lowrider Festival.
Courtesy of San Diego Art Institute
A graphic promoting San Diego Art Institute's Street Art & Lowrider Festival.

San Diego Art Institute's Street Art & Lowrider Festival: San Diego Art Institute's family-style event will celebrate the diverse cultures and artistic traditions of Southeast San Diego, with an emphasis on Chicano art and culture.

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Throughout the day, more than 50 lowrider cars will be on display and there will be art displays by renowned Tijuana street artist PANCA, printmaker Kim Cruz and stencil artist Pierce Williams, who will give away art to the first 100 attendees.

Details: Noon Saturday, March 5. Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Intervention, 404 Euclid Ave. Free; online details or call (619) 236-0011.

A photo of cherry blossom flowers.
Jeff Kubina
A photo of cherry blossom flowers.

Cherry Blossom Festival: Enjoy the Japanese custom of hanami and the beauty of cherry blossom flowers at the Japanese Friendship Garden's annual, family-friendly event.

Along with relaxing under the pink cherry blossom flowers, visitors will also be able to purchase Japanese food and treats, watch cultural music and dance performances, try kid-friendly activities and more.

Details: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 5 and Sunday, March 6. Japanese Friendship Garden, Balboa Park. $7 to $8; online details or call (619) 232-2721.

You'll find dozens more weekend events on the KPBS/Arts calendar.