Search results for

Gershwin in Vienna Concert-Lecture presented by Levi Hammer, piano Tuesday, May 26, 2026 Levi Hammer’s solo piano album "Gershwin in Vienna" brings together his American roots and his current life in Europe, where he has lived for the last decade. The historical and musical connections between Gershwin, Schoenberg, Berg, and Webern are fascinating but rarely explored beyond a tantalizing footnote. At the Athenaeum, Hammer will play much of the album and speak about the musical parallels between Gershwin and the Viennese modernist masters. Paintings by Gershwin and Schoenberg—both accomplished painters!—will accompany Hammer’s performance of their music. In addition, the composers’ Californian connection will be highlighted in a short film shot on Gershwin’s own tennis court in Los Angeles in the 1930s—right where their legendary tennis matches took place. This program is also an artistic and personal self-portrait of Hammer himself as he describes growing from a child of the Great American Songbook to a conductor and pianist wrestling with the rigorous beauties of the Second Viennese School. Levi Hammer; photo credit: Denislav Matzel About Levi Hammer: Known for his remarkable range and versatility, Levi Hammer performs regularly as both a conductor and pianist. He has conducted orchestras across the United States and Europe, and his repertoire encompasses more than 70 operas. Additionally, he has prepared acclaimed operatic productions for major conductors, including Lorin Maazel, Simon Rattle, Zubin Mehta, and Gustavo Dudamel. Besides the standard repertoire, Hammer is an accomplished performer of both Baroque and contemporary music. As a pianist, he appears as a concerto soloist, chamber musician, and art song collaborator, and he has frequently performed Bach’s Well-Tempered Clavier and Aaron Copland’s complete music for piano. “Where words fail, music speaks.” — Hans Christian Andersen Athenaeum Music & Arts Library on Facebook / Instagram

Join Wildlife Jewels for a special World Ocean Day Wildlife Walk along the beautiful La Jolla shoreline. Together, we’ll explore the unique coastal wildlife of La Jolla and share stories of the seabirds and marine mammals Wildlife Jewels regularly observes, documents, and helps support through our monitoring and rescue programs. Wildlife Jewels on Facebook / Instagram

A KPBS investigation found supervisor offices tapped influential companies, associations and individuals for monetary gifts. Some of the entities had business before the county at the time.

Nowruz celebrates the arrival of spring and rebirth. But for many in the Iranian diaspora, this year is different. As the war continues, many are trying to balance the joy of the holiday with grief.

The five-acre garden has been growing in phases. A grand opening is scheduled for April 18.

Jen Sherman tracks every penny her family spends on groceries and dining out. The data reflect their changing habits, including a switch to more locally-grown produce.

When Republican Rep. Darrell Issa quit his reelection campaign last month, Democrats celebrated. Now, some are worried.

The Port of Entry team sits down with Tijuana native Jorge Meraz, host of “Crossing South,” to unpack the fear, headlines and misconceptions that shape how many people in the U.S. see the border — and what the reality is actually like.

We check in on the latest military stories from the KPBS newsroom. Then, we go to a San Diego Storytellers segment with the region's first poet laureate. And finally, how local bookstores are celebrating the annual San Diego Book Crawl.

San Diego congressional candidate Ammar Campa-Najjar violated Pentagon rules on political campaigns. Then, hear from a Logan Heights library assistant who is retiring after nearly 40 years at the branch. And, why concert ticket prices have skyrocketed since the pandemic. Plus, things to do this weekend.