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Immerse yourself in the vibrant world of Viver Brasil, a dynamic dance company celebrated for its powerful, engaging performances. In this special evening, Viver Brasil will celebrate the roots of samba, tracing the Afro-Brazilian origins that have shaped its rhythm and spirit. In electrifying styles like orixá, forró, and bloco afro, Viver Brasil combines dance with live polyrhythmic music and evocative storytelling to bring the essence of samba’s heritage vividly to life. After the performance, Viver Brasil’s artists will answer your questions about their journey, influences, and the deeper stories behind each dance. Expect an evening filled with energy, passion, and cultural insight. About the artist: Founded in 1997 in Los Angeles, Viver Brasil is an acclaimed dance company dedicated to celebrating and sharing Afro-Brazilian culture through dynamic performances blending dance, music, and storytelling. Under the artistic direction of Linda Yudin and Luiz Badaró, the company draws from orixá movement (sacred dances of spirits with roots in West Africa), samba styles, and other African-derived traditions, to create a powerful experience that honors Afro-Brazilian roots while reimagining them for modern audiences. Known for its vibrant, polyrhythmic music and expressive choreography, Viver Brasil brings the spirit of Salvador de Bahia to stages around the world, inspiring connection through tradition and innovation. Visit: Samba Roots: An Afro-Brazilian Journey with Viver Brasil Viver Brasil Dance Company on Instagram

Experience an unforgettable evening with Qais Essar, a pioneering Afghan composer and rabab virtuoso who weaves the traditional sounds of the mountainous Hindu Kush region with contemporary global music. The rabab, an instrument first mentioned in Arabic texts of the tenth century, is a plucked lute considered by many to be Afghanistan’s national instrument and a precursor of the sarod, prominent in North Indian classical music . Qais’s music blends Afghan folk, Americana, and other sources, creating a unique soundscape that feels both timeless and boundary-pushing. Following the performance, join us for a Q&A with Qais, where he will share insights into his creative process, collaborations, and the inspirations behind his music. This close-up experience will offer a rare chance to delve into the mind of an artist dedicated to reimagining Afghan music for the modern world. About the artist: Qais Essar is an acclaimed Afghan composer, rabab player, and producer who bridges the ancient and modern through his music. Known for his innovative blending of Afghan folk with rich, genre-defying sounds from Western roots music, Qais has performed globally, including with the Oxford Philharmonic, and his music has been featured in major motion pictures and festivals. His compositions include original pieces for Oscar-nominated films Three Songs for Benazir and The Breadwinner. The latter earned him a Canadian Screen Award for Best Original Song. Qais brings traditional Afghan music to new, global audiences. Visit: Soundscapes of Afghanistan: Tradition Reimagined with Qais Essar Quais Essar on Instagram and Facebook

Join us for a captivating evening with the Pacific Trio, featuring three distinguished masters of traditional Chinese instruments and repertoire—David Liu on zheng (a plucked zither), Celia Liu on pipa (a plucked lute), and Qi-Chao Liu on dizi (a bamboo transverse flute). Together, they bring the rich soundscape of traditional Chinese music to life, blending classical techniques and repertoire with their own unique artistry. From the delicate tones of the zheng to the vibrant melodies of the pipa and the expressive voice of the dizi, the Trio’s performance will provide a glimpse of the beauty and depth of the Chinese musical heritage. Stay after the concert for a Q&A with the artists and explore their musical journeys, instruments, and inspirations up close. About the artists: The Pacific Trio is composed of three Los Angeles-based artists, all among the finest Chinese musicians of their generation living in the United States. David Chu-Yao Liu (zheng) studied under famous zheng masters and graduated from the Taiwan National Academy of the Arts. He has performed all over the world and in 1989 founded the Zheng Hsin Chinese Zither Orchestra of Los Angeles. Celia Liu graduated from the Central Conservatory of Music in China and worked at the National Orchestra in Beijing. She won the award for “Most Excellent Performance” at the Art Cup international competition. She was invited to perform with the LA Philharmonic Orchestra and recorded over a hundred soundtracks for movies and TV series with Warner Brothers Nickelodeon “Kung Fu Panda”. Qi-Chao Liu (dizi), musicologist, educator, and bandleader, is an accomplished performer on a wide variety of Chinese instruments. He graduated from the Shanghai Conservatory of Traditional and Western Music and, in 1997, was invited to attend the Asian Pacific Performance Exchange Fellowship Program through UCLA. Visit: Sounds of Dynasties: Living Traditions of China

Join us for an immersive performance by Mohammad Khodadadi, an acclaimed Persian composer and performer on the ney, an ancient end-blown cane flute that plays a central role in Persian mysticism. The sound of the ney is said to express the human soul’s longing for union with God, drawing listeners into an introspective, contemplative state. Born in Iran, and trained by masters of Persian music, Mohammad weaves the haunting sounds of the ney with the dynamic energy of Iranian bagpipes, blending traditional Persian melodies with his own innovative compositions. Mohammad will invite the audience to experience the expressive range of Persian music, enhanced by his deep knowledge of both Western and Persian classical traditions. This close-up encounter promises an evening of captivating sounds and spontaneous musical exchanges, offering rare insight into Iran’s musical heritage through the artistry of one of its most dedicated performers. In a Q&A after the performance, we’ll have the chance to engage directly with the artist and explore his creative process and inspirations. Expect an evening that draws you closer to the beauty and depth of this captivating musical tradition. About the artist: Mohammad Khodadadi, born in Bushehr, Iran, started his musical journey on the ney at age 15, He trained rigorously under master musicians, later studying the Persian radif (traditional repertoire) and vocal techniques alongside piano and composition in Iran and Austria. He is currently pursuing Western composition studies at the University of Anton Bruckner in Linz, Austria, and has expanded his expertise to include conducting. Mohammad performs as a soloist and composer across Europe and Iran and organizes seminars to promote Persian classical music in the West. He teaches Persian music fundamentals in Austrian institutions, along with individual classes in ney, Persian singing, and music theory. His work bridges cultures, blending the depth of Persian musical heritage with Western classical influences, bringing traditional Persian sounds to global audiences with fresh and innovative expressions. Visit: The Art of the Ney: Contemporary Sounds of Iran with Mohammad Khodadadi Mohammad Khodadadi on Instagram and Facebook

Join us for an evening with Julian Kytasty, whose playing of the bandura, Ukraine’s national instrument, evokes haunting memories of Russian and Soviet suppression of Ukrainian national identity. Julian’s singing of epic songs and his playing of free improvisations and modern world music blend tradition with innovation to reveal the bandura’s expressive depth. Following the performance, we’ll invite you to take part in a Q&A session with Julian to gain insight into his creative process and the remarkable journey that has established him as a leading bandurist. The concert’s intimate setting will allow you to experience his rich, evocative soundscapes up close, creating a deep connection to Ukraine’s musical heritage and Julian’s unique artistry. About the artist: Julian Kytasty is a renowned instrumentalist and composer who has expanded the expressive possibilities of the bandura, a traditional Ukrainian plucked-string lute-zither with 50 or more strings. Born to a family of Ukrainian refugees in Detroit, Julian learned the bandura from his father and grandfather. Later, he moved to New York, where he became the artistic director of the New York School of Bandura. Julian’s work spans diverse genres, from ancient Ukrainian epic songs to electroacoustic projects, world music collaborations, and experimental theater. An active educator, he has led workshops and master classes worldwide, sharing his passion for the bandura with new generations. Visit: Soul of the Bandura: Music and Stories from Ukraine featuring Julian Kytasty Julian Kytasty on Facebook

This year was a roller coaster in real estate and economic news. What will 2025 bring? During this 60 minute presentation Patrick Kappel, recognized by the San Diego Business Journal as one of San Diego's most influential real estate professionals, will provide you with real data and insights into the San Diego real estate market by sharing with you economic information collected from numerous sources to provide you with a clear image of the current real estate market and what you can expect as a buyer or seller in today's real estate market going into 2025. If you are considering buying or selling real estate, or if you would simply like to get a pulse on the status of the San Diego real estate market and the likely direction our market will go, then you won't want to miss this webinar! Join us for an in-depth discussion centered around the economy, real estate, and real data. The Kappel Realty Group is a Diamond Real Estate Team (highest level) in San Diego County, placing it in the top 1% percent of all real estate groups in the County and top 1% of all real estate teams in the United States. This webinar is taught by Patrick Kappel, named by the San Diego Business Journal as one of the 50 most influential residential real estate leaders and 50 Most Influential Military Veteran Leaders in San Diego. Patrick is a top 1% Realtor in San Diego County and the 2020 San Diego Team REALTOR Leader of the Year by the San Diego Association of Realtors. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy with a Bachelor's degree and continued his education at UCLA, where he received his MBA with a focus on finance and entrepreneurship. He then earned a Masters Degree in Real Estate from the University of San Diego. His combined years of academic and practical knowledge have given him the necessary skills to become a trusted teacher and advisor to his clients. Visit: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_CCZTqBT0STKmj5bnlJlViw#/registration Kappel Reality Group on Instagram and Facebook

A massive explosion and fire rocked a port in southern Iran possibly linked to a shipment of a chemical ingredient used to make missile propellant.

Yemen is an ancient birthplace of the coffee trade, and immigrants fleeing its civil war have brought their culture here in the form of cafes. Hundreds of Yemeni coffee shops have opened in the U.S.

Author Andrea L. Rogers and artist Rebecca Lee Kunz met by chance at the Cherokee National Holiday. Then they won the 2025 Caldecott Medal for their story about a helpful little boy named Chooch.

It was their first face-to-face meeting since they argued in front of cameras in the Oval Office in February — and comes as efforts intensify to end Russia's war in Ukraine.