Dear Readers, It is with a heavy heart that I write this week's newsletter. We are shocked and dismayed by the brutal killings at the Islamic Center in San Diego. This is another life-destroying event in a long stream of violence against immigrants and people of faith by individuals who have been convinced that their way, their ideology, is the only way to live. Our hearts are with the families whose lives have been torn apart by these senseless murders. For the past 25 years, the Worldview Project has been developing projects with one simple goal: to promote greater cross-cultural awareness, understanding, and engagement. What happened earlier this week was not a rare event or simply the act of two individuals who were young, immature, and embedded in an environment that glorifies violence. There are powerful people in our world who promote hate and violence to achieve political ends. They influence individuals to resort to violence in pursuit of these corrupt, hateful, and too often lethal goals. But one of the conditions that enables these devastating events is profound ignorance of other peoples, cultures, and ways of life. This ignorance permits "influencers" and politicians to scapegoat the people who have the least power among us. What happened this week was lethally extreme, but it is not alien to the terrible discourse that has arisen in our society. We will fight this ignorance with every initiative we develop and deliver. We are not alone; we are all in this together. There are many wonderful organizations in San Diego that also promote greater cross-cultural understanding and appreciation. They do so through artistic productions, music and dance, talks, films, symposiums, festivals, and celebrations. We do our best every week to inform you about these events that break down cultural walls and lead us to a better understanding of our shared humanity. We can, and we must, do better. Things have gotten rather dark in our society, but we still have hope that empathy and understanding will eventually win out, and that we can share our lives and cultures with others without fear or danger. We are capable of this; it is the best of our human nature to do so. And with that commitment to empathy, understanding, and shared humanity in mind, here are some of the cultural events taking place around San Diego this week. The Annual Fringe Festival will wrap up this weekend, so it's your last chance to enjoy some truly unique events. All throughout the weekend (including tonight) the 22nd Annual Lebanese Festival will take place at St. Ephrem Maronite Catholic Church in El Cajon. Saturday, there will be an Asian/Pacific Islander Celebration at the Oak Park Library. Saturday at El Jardin, there will be a Cultura Fest featuring music from the Philippines (from one of our favorite groups, SAMAHAN), Hawai'i, Brazil, West Africa, and Latin America! Sunday, the Buddha's Birthday and Family Festival will be held at the Hsi Fang Temple on Park Ave. Music and dance options include the I Love Paris event throughout the weekend at the Museum of Art, featuring the San Diego Ballet. The Latin rock and ska band, Los Fabulosos Cadillacs, will be at SDSU. Next Wednesday, the acclaimed Sergio Mendes Band will be at the Belly Up. Next Thursday at Quartyard, the Latin bands, Los Mirlos, Tropa Magica & Reza will perform. Next Friday, there will be three concerts to choose from Sonido De La Frontera at the CCA in Escondido, Metaliachi at the Holding Company, and pianist Zade Dirani with a guest orchestra will perform at the Jacobs Music Center. Local film screenings include Turning Red at the Pacific Beach/Taylor Library tonight, Terry Gilliam's Brasil (with a discussion) next Thursday at the Digital Gym, and Vermiglio at La Paloma (also next Thursday). Local theatrical productions include Kim’s Convenience at the Old Globe, Purpose at La Jolla Playhouse, A Room In The Castle at MOXIE, Beau Jest at North Coast Rep (ends Sunday), Samuel, His Widow and the Whispering Flowers at the JCC, and starting on Tuesday, The Sound of Music (Touring) at the Civic Center. Other notable and worthy events include a book talk by Alessandra Ranelli who will discuss her latest book, Hotel Orient which will be streaming online with Warwick's on Saturday, an Anime Workshop at Mission Valley Library (also on Saturday), an Around the World Book Exchange at Cafe Athena on Tuesday, a Hellenic Showcase of "Lightening Talks" by UCSD students (also Tuesday), next Thursday's UCSD talk on The Qiang and Multiethnic Imagination in Modern China, and at talk by food writer Adeena Sussman at Congregation Beth Am (also on Thursday).
Lastly, the Worldview Project, which produces this newsletter every week (and does lots of other stuff too!), is a non-profit organization. Supporting cross-cultural awareness, understanding, and engagement has never been more critical than it is now. As you may have noticed, we don't annoy you with advertisements or constant fundraising appeals. But we need your support to continue to do what we do. In particular, we are seeking our readers' help in funding the further development of our Cultures in the Classroom™ curriculum project to inspire children to connect with and appreciate the wonder of cultures around the world. You can show your support by clicking on the "Donate to the WVP" button above and making a tax-deductible donation to the WVP. No donation is too small— even a dollar would be appreciated!
Cross-Cultural Events in the Next Two Weeks:
Festivals, celebrations, and community events: The 14th Annual San Diego International Fringe Festival • 22nd Annual Lebanese Festival • AAPI Celebration • Cultura Fest • Buddha's Birthday and Family Festival • House of Finland Lawn Program • Kuumba Festival. Music and/or dance performances: I Love Paris • Los Fabulosos Cadillacs • The Sergio Mendes Band • Los Mirlos, Tropa Magica & Reza • Sonido De La Frontera • Metalachi • Zade Dirani • LuMaya • Kishi Bashi • Keerati Jinakunwiphat • Ram Miriyala • The Hu • Third World • Tango Elite • Beatles vs. Stones. Interesting talks around town: Hellenic Studies Research Showcase • The Qiang and Multiethnic Imagination in Modern China • Human Security in the Middle East and South Asia. Film festivals and special movie screenings: Turning Red • Vermiglio • Film & Discussion: Brazil • Kanal. Books and literature lovers are sure to enjoy: Alessandra Ranelli • Around the World Book Exchange. Food and Drink events: Food Talk: Adeena Sussman • Umeboshi Workshop. Fundraisers: Fundraiser: Global Connections to America’s Finest City. Local theatrical productions: Kim’s Convenience • Purpose • A Room In The Castle • Beau Jest • Samuel, His Widow and the Whispering Flowers • The Sound of Music (Touring) • Thinking Shakespeare • The Hombres • The Jewish Short Play Festival. Visual Arts events: Anime Workshop.
Everyone here at the
San Diego Participant Observer and the
Worldview Project wish you fulfilling, illuminating, and culturally-rich experiences in the days ahead. See you next week!
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