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Are you passionate about Jewish languages and cultures? Dive into the rich world of the Sephardic Jewish tradition through the Ladino language! Our new Ladino course is your gateway to exploring this beautiful, historic language while immersing yourself in the poetic expressions of Sephardic life. What You’ll Learn: Language Mastery: Build your Ladino vocabulary and grammar skills, enhancing your reading abilities with texts in both Latin alphabet and Hebrew Rashi script. Literary Exploration: Journey through the captivating world of Ladino poetry, from timeless ballads (romansas), religious komplas and folk songs to contemporary works by celebrated poets like Clarisse Nicoidski, Avner Perez, Margalit Matitiahu, Rita Gabbai Simantov, and more. Cultural Insight: Discover the deep cultural and historical context behind each poem, gaining a unique understanding of Sephardic heritage. Rashi Script Practice: In every class, you’ll have 10 to 15 minutes dedicated to reading exercises in the Hebrew Rashi script, helping you develop this specialized skill. Whether you have a basic command of Ladino or a background in Modern Spanish, this course is designed to enrich your knowledge and appreciation of this fascinating language and its poetic traditions. When: Tuesdays, October 29 – December 3, 10-11 a.m. PT. (12-1 p.m. CT, 1-2 p.m. ET, 6:00 p.m. in the UK, 7 p.m. in Central Europe). Cost: Early bird (available until Tuesday October 15) $210, Regular (after Tuesday October 15) $300 for 6 hourly sessions. Where: on Zoom Teacher: Dr Agnieszka August-Zarębska is an assistant professor in the Taube Department of Jewish Studies at the University of Wrocław, Poland. She has a degree in Spanish Studies, and her current research interests include contemporary Ladino poetry, contemporary literary translations into Ladino, and Sephardic children’s literature. She has also worked on critical editions of early 20th-century Judeo-Spanish literature. Please see our Events Calendar and Other Upcoming Events!

The Library's Autumn Concert Series takes place on Fridays from September 6 to October 25. Each concert will begin at 1 p.m. in the Winn Room. Doors will open 15 minutes prior to the performance. On September 20, the Joshua White Trio will be performing the Music of Johnny Mercer. Joshua White is one of the music scene’s most creative and technically accomplished pianists. Praised by legendary musicians like Herbie Hancock as having “immense talent” and lauded for his “daring and courageous approach to improvisation … on the cutting edge of innovation”, Joshua has distinguished himself as a formidable leader of distinct voice among his peers. Born and raised in Southern California, Joshua received early training at the piano and developed rapidly through rigorous study of both Western European Classical literature and the Black American Music traditions. Shortly after placing in the top two as a finalist of the prestigious Thelonious Monk International Piano Competition, Joshua began concertizing as a soloist and musical collaborator all over the world -- and continues to maintain an active touring schedule throughout Europe, Africa, and Asia. Joshua White can most often be heard with his critically-acclaimed TRIO (featuring Karl McComas-Reichl, bass & Tyler Kreutel, drums), as well as these musical ensembles: The Mark Dresser Quintet, Nicole Mitchell's Black Earth Ensemble, The Daniel Rosenboom Quartet, Steph Richards & Super Sense, and LANCASTER (featuring Eric Revis, bass; Jeff Parker, guitar; & Guillermo Brown, drums). Jazz bassist Rob Thorsen maintains a diverse and busy schedule in Southern California as a performer, educator, clinician and composer. He has found his true voice in the upright bass and performs regularly as a leader with artists including the Mike Wofford/Holly Hofmann Quartet, Gilbert Castellanos, Charles McPherson, Steph Johnson and a host of others. Rob has released six recordings as a leader, “Bass is the Space - Solos and Duos” featuring an array of jazz talents including Joshua White, Steph Johnson, Gilbert Castellanos and Marshall Hawkins in duo and solo performances. His most recent release is "So In Love" — a 10-track album with his wife/lead vocalist Steph Johnson featuring songs from Cole Porter, Joni Mitchell, and others. Tyler Kreutel is a drummer/percussionist based in the Southern California area. Born and raised in San Diego, California, he took up the drums at the age of 12 in his middle school jazz band and hasn’t looked back since. Tyler graduated from The San Diego School for Creative and Performing Arts in 2012 and went on to receive his Bachelors in Music Performance at California State University Long Beach. While in college Tyler began playing professionally in both the San Diego and Los Angeles area and has been doing so ever since. Tyler has had the great fortune of playing with many outstanding musicians including Gilbert Castellanos, Charles McPherson, Henry Franklin, Joshua White, Marshall Hawkins, Steve Cotter and is one of the most in demand drummers in Southern California. He has taught at both The Orange County School of the Arts and Downey High School and is currently teaching at YLJC.

On Midday Edition Thursday, we check out a new novella by author Nnedi Okorafor.

Recommended for ages 2-5, this story time program includes books, songs, games, and early literacy fun! A to-go craft will be provided at the end. Audience: Young children Location: Community Room

KPBS is excited to join forces with the Verbatim Books North Park Book Fair on Saturday, October 26 for a special live event with María Dolores Águila, author of our 2024 One Book, One San Diego kids selection, "Barrio Rising: The Protest That Built Chicano Park." María will read "Barrio Rising," share her inspiration, answer questions, and sign books. Join us for a beautiful day celebrating literacy in North Park! Schedule: 10:45 - 11:30 a.m. - María Dolores Águila, Author Reading & Presentation 11:30 - Noon - Book Signing Fair from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Free for all ages! "Barrio Rising" invites readers to join a courageous young activist and her neighbors in their successful twelve-day land occupation and beyond, when Barrio Logan banned together and built the colorful park that would become the corazón of San Diego’s Chicane community. Verbatim Books brings you the North Park Book Fair! This year’s book fair promises to be bigger and better, bringing together book lovers, local authors, and vendors for a day of literary festivities in the heart of North Park. Expect a diverse vendor line-up, author readings and signings, hands-on activities, live music and performances, story time for kids, and food and beverages. Mark your calendars and get ready to dive into a world of books, creativity, and community. One Book, One San Diego is a partnership, led by KPBS, with the San Diego Public Library, the San Diego County Library, San Diego State University, One Book Sin Fronteras and more than 40 other community organizations. For more information about One Book, One San Diego, please visit: kpbs.org/onebook One Book, One San Diego on Facebook One Book One San Diego is funded by the Linden Root Dickinson Foundation, the Frieda Berlinski Foundation, the Seth Sprague Educational and Charitable Foundation, the Payne Family Foundation, Kaiser Permanente, the University of San Diego, Francis Parker School, the City of San Diego, and Lloyd Pest Control.

47th Bonitafest Melodrama: September 25-28 Bonitafest Melodrama “Thin Skins and Hayseeds” Recalls the Great Sweetwater Valley Flood South County’s 47th annual Bonitafest Melodrama will look a lot like the first. “Thin Skins and Hayseeds,” the popular musical-comedy produced as the first ever Melodrama in 1978, returns in September, freshened up and still rich with South Bay history. It is the true story of the epic Sweetwater Valley Flood of 1916 sprinkled with poetic license, including a dash of “Romeo and Juliet.” “Thin Skins and Hayseeds” runs September 25-28 at the Sweetwater Church Theater, 5305 Sweetwater Road. Curtain time is 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 and available by calling (619) 850-7126. “The flooding of the Sweetwater and Otay Valleys in January 1916 remain the most remarkable historical events of this region,” said Bonitafest Melodrama Artistic Director Max Branscomb, a journalism professor at Southwestern College. “Weeks of epic rain caused the Sweetwater Dam to wash out and the Otay Dam to fail. Hundreds of people were killed and everything in the path of the water was destroyed.” Though the backdrop of the story was a dark moment in South County history, Branscomb said the production is driven by catchy songs and abundant humor…not to mention some “star cross’d lovers” from a pair of feuding farm families. “It is definitely a fun family show that we hope will leave our audiences humming the tunes and curious about our region’s amazing history,” Branscomb said. The Bonitafest Melodrama debuted in 1978 and is now San Diego County’s longest-running theatrical production. Branscomb – then a 20-year-old SDSU journalism student – teamed with 26-year-old Bonita Vista Junior High School drama teacher Loren Lindsey to create the original production. It was staged in a rented circus tent pitched on Bonita Road at the site of what is now the Bonita-Sunnyside Library. “We literally had hay bales on the stage and straw on the dirt floor,” Branscomb recalled. “It was low budget and absent of any real production values, but people liked the story and the songs. Loren and I thought it was going to be a one-off project, but here we are 47 years later still creating shows about our community.” Branscomb extended the original script in 1984 and updated it again this year with the assistance of gifted 16-year-old actor-singer-writer Ella Aldridge, a Bonita native and junior at the San Diego School of the Creative and Performing Arts. Aldridge also stars as Sadie, the Juliet-tinged lemon farmer’s daughter. “It was fun to contribute some ideas and new moments to the show,” said Aldridge, who performed in “Thin Skins and Hayseeds” as a 10-year-old in 2018. “This was one of my first shows. I am so happy for the opportunity to play Sadie. I’ve wanted to since I saw Shae-Linn Carr play her so well in 2018.” Aldridge was the title character in last year’s Melodrama, “Ms. Sweetwater Valley” and played the chameleonic teenage Archangel Gabriel in the 2023 Christmas comedy “La Pastorela de los Transfronterizos” which aired on KNSJ radio and streamed to cities across the United States and Canada. Aldridge also co-wrote the rhyming script. She received glowing reviews for her impersonations of Barbie and Taylor Swift. This summer she played the title role in the Disney musical “The Little Mermaid.” “Everybody should come watch Ella now so you can say ‘I saw her when…’,” Branscomb said. “She’s a real talent.” Southwestern College student Trevor Braaten plays opposite Aldridge as Buck Gurnsey, the son of a lima bean farmer. Evil villains Cadwell Von Fowl and Lickpenny are played by Kaede Muller, Tim Evans and Donavan Hash. Syara Platero and Evelyn Sugapong are Carmelita and Lee, the storytellers. Sofia Petroulias plays Helen Bookmiser, the lonely schoolteacher. Other featured members of the cast include Tanya Carr, Alexis Luna, Lily Hobson, Isla Hobson, Randy Phillips, Malachi Veglia, Shay Alexander, Dalia Candelario, Mackenzie Koeppen, Estrella Luna, Brissamar Luna, Caleigh Miller, Lorenzo Malatag, Rose Ingram and Keira Sugapong. Ken Santillan is the musical director. Alexis Luna is the vocal director. Musicians are Patrick Noyes, Karl Muller, Keiler Avery and Michaelangelo Campos. Kerie Muller is the producer and stage manager. The Bonitafest Melodrama has been honored for theatrical excellence, providing opportunities for underrepresented performing artists, promoting community, teaching history and reflecting multiculturalism. It is funded in part by the San Diego County Community Enhancement Program. Bonitafest Melodrama on Facebook

Every year, we remember some of the writers, actors, musicians, filmmakers and performers who died over the past year, and whose lifetime of creative work helped shape our world.

The copyrights of thousands of 20th-century films, books, compositions and sound recordings expire on Jan. 1, making them free for anyone to share and adapt. Here are some of the highlights.

TERI Campus of Life, whose mission is to change the way the world sees, helps, and empowers individuals with special needs, is thrilled to announce that AMERICAN IDOL contender and indie rock sensation, Adin Boyer, along with special guests Jungle Poppins, will perform live at their Rock the Spectrum Benefit Concert. This event will take place on Dec. 29, 2023 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at TERI’s San Marcos Campus of Life (Cornfeather Suite/Mountain View Deck, 555 Deer Springs Rd, San Marcos, CA 92069). All proceeds will benefit TERI Campus of Life programs and services for children, adults, and seniors with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Guests will experience a magical evening of music under the stars as they bid farewell to 2023, celebrating with the talented pianist and San Diego's own Jungle Poppins. Both gifted artists credit autism as their catalyst to excellence and are geared up to “Rock the Spectrum.” Adin, an exceptional musician and advocate for Autism and Anti-Bullying, will open hearts with soulful melodies while Jungle Poppins vows to "let music upstage autism." In 2023, Adin wowed audiences on American Idol, advancing to Hollywood and earning accolades from industry icons Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, Luke Bryan, and mentor Phillip Phillips. TERI is honored to host Adin in his first San Diego show prior to launching his national tour. Tickets to the concert start at $25 for general admission and $50 for VIP. The VIP ticket includes Chef Pete Moceri hosted farm to table lite bites with wine tasting and exclusive table service during concert, as well as a signed poster and artist meet and greet after the show. Dinner menu and drinks are sold separately. Concert tickets can be purchased at https://events.humanitix.com/rock-the-spectrum-benefit-concert. Sponsorship level opportunities are also available here or contact Development Director, Danielle Aguas, at danielle.aguas@teriinc.org or call/text 760.822.1321. For over 43 years, TERI Inc (Training Education and Resource Institute) has been a pioneering and innovative service provider, delivering best-practice, evidence-based services to underserved children, adults, and seniors with mild to severe intellectual and developmental disabilities in San Diego County. TERI is committed to ensuring that every person, regardless of ability, has proper access and support to discover and express their strengths within society. TERI staff provide an extensive array of enrichment options including education, arts, culinary programs, vocational training, and more. ABOUT TERI. INC. TERI Inc. and the Campus of Life’s mission is to change the way the world sees, helps, and empowers individuals with special needs. Since its inception in 1980, TERI has grown to accommodate a lifetime of needs while remaining true to its original goal: to improve the quality of life for children and adults with developmental and learning disabilities, and to change the way the world sees them, allowing for inclusion within the community. As a true center of innovation and excellence, the TERI Campus of Life is dedicated to transforming lives through education, performing arts, fine arts, fitness, nutrition, organic agriculture, vocational pathways, social gatherings and so much more. For more information about TERI Campus of Life, please visit: https://www.teriinc.org/campus-of-life

“Art is a mirror held up to the society which birthed it, a whisper from long ago history. It is a code message sent to a timeless future: this is who we were; what we believed; what we valued.” — Linda Blair This lecture will be a meditation on Jan Vermeer, an artist celebrated in literature and movies today, but after his death, forgotten until the 1850s, when a French art critic stumbled upon a masterpiece (View of Delft) by a mysterious artist he thought might be named Meer and devoted the rest of his life to searching out more “Meers.” Today, of course, Vermeer’s crystalline cubes of light-filled space, masterful reflections, and enigmatic, contemplative women make him one of the most revered painters in art history. About Linda Blair: Linda Blair has taught art history for many years, at the La Jolla Athenaeum and UC San Diego Osher; she was a docent at The Cloisters. She holds a BA from Mills College and an MA from USD. She is an active volunteer at UC San Diego, dedicated to raising scholarship funds. Tickets: $16/21 The lecture will be in person at the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library. There are no physical tickets for this event. Your name will be on an attendee list at the front door. Doors open at 7 p.m. Seating is first-come; first-served. This event will be presented in compliance with State of California and County of San Diego health regulations as applicable at the time of the lecture.