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Articles, photos and videos that are seen as promoting DEI will be removed under the new approach.

Scholar, historian, artist and raconteur Nell Irvin Painter is the author of The History of White People and Old in Art School. Her latest book is an insightful addition to her canon.

Photographer Michael Robinson Chávez visits a city in Ukraine that was partly famous as a site for Russian travelers and intellectuals, but since 2022 has come under Russian attack.

Christopher Dragon, conductor Ross Lekites, vocalist San Diego Master Chorale | John K. Russell, music director San Diego Children's Choir | Ruthie Milgard, artistic director With special appearances by Cat Conner, Loren Smith (Dec 13, Dec 14 7:30 p.m. and Dec 15), Ken Johnson (Dec 14 2 p.m.) and Scott Rad Brown Jonathan Gilmer, director Amanda Zieve, lighting designer Joshua Heming, assistant lighting designer Script by Mabelle Reynoso San Diego Symphony Orchestra Experience the San Diego Symphony's holiday tradition, Noel Noel, inside at the new Jacobs Music Center. Featuring favorite songs including "I'll be Home for Christmas, "Silent Night" and "Slight Ride", the evening will be full of Christmas classics, sing-alongs, holiday cheer and jolly spirit, featuring Mrs. Claus. The concert will be led once again by the artistic tour-de-force team consisting of celebrated guest conductor Christopher Dragon and director Jonathan Gilmer, and it features the return of the San Diego Symphony Orchestra, the San Diego Master Chorale and the San Diego Children’s Choir. Visit: https://www.sandiegosymphony.org/performances/noel-noel/ San Diego Symphony on Instagram and Facebook

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

From the KPBS Weekend Arts Preview: Manuel Oliver's son "Guac," or Joaquin Oliver, was killed during the Parkland shooting in 2018, along with 16 of his classmates, the deadliest high school shooting in United States history. In the years since, the Oliver family have tried — and continued to try — whatever form of activism they can to prevent more gun violence in the United States. But something about the theater lit a spark for Manuel Oliver. He realized he could capture the attention of hundreds of people at a time in a theater, even if they were not seeking out a story about gun violence — just by sharing a connection. "This is my real life. This is my story, and Joaquin's story. It's just putting together events that are very happy moments. I always like people to remember Joaquin for his 17 years and not for his last two minutes. So that's what the play is about. It's about those wonderful 17 years. Of course we talk about those terrible two minutes, but at the end of the show you will feel empowered," Oliver said. "It's an empowering play." "Guac" will be performed twice in San Diego. The Saturday show is already sold out, but tickets for Friday night's performance at UC San Diego are still available. —Julia Dixon Evans, KPBS From the organizers: Presented by San Diegans For Gun Violence Prevention, Manuel Oliver will hold two performances in San Diego: 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 2 at Mandeville Auditorium at UC San Diego Saturday, Aug. 3 [sold out] About the play: What do you do when you lose a son? Take it from Manuel Oliver, the father of Parkland shooting victim Joaquin Oliver, you have to do what you do best. Fearless, funny, and pulling zero punches, "GUAC – THE ONE MAN SHOW" is an 80-minute “searing” (New York Times) one-man tour-de force theatrical experience about a father turned activist, his undying love for his son, and the story of an immigrant family in search of the American Dream only instead to be confronted by a uniquely American Nightmare.

A local community archive is dedicated to preserving and sharing local LGBTQ+ history. Plus, a celebration of queer and trans performers in an upcoming dance festival. And your weekend preview.

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

You’re never too old! Create your own fuzzy Monster! Ages 12+ years or children 6-11 years if accompanied by an adult welcome! Create a professional arm-rod-and-mouth puppet of your very own from Rene Rubalcava, owner and puppeteer of LV Puppet Studio of Las Vegas who learned the art of puppet making from a Jim Henson Muppeteer. There’s no better time to create your own one-of-a-kind fuzzy monster! In this workshop, we guide you from start to finish as you select, cut, hot glue and assemble the pieces and personality of your own customized puppet. No sewing is required in this workshop. Students bring their puppets to life with their own unique interests and imaginations, and by choice and placement of different face details. Each one is unique! Find your puppet’s voice and learn some puppetry basics. All materials included. No experience necessary! • Military and sibling discounts. • Scholarships available. • Homeschool vendor funds accepted. • If this class is full, join the Interest List. • If you would like to be notified of future offerings, join the Interest List to be notified when new dates or spaces are available. Visit: Puppet Making Workshop San Diego Craft Collective on Instagram and Facebook