- Mandy Patinkin in Concert headlines this year along with the 15th inspiring Women of Valor, International Hip-Hop Artist Nissim Black, Italian Jews Through the Generations, a Premier Play in Spanish, The Klezmer Summit, Eco-Performances, and much more!
The highly anticipated Lipinsky Family San Diego Jewish Arts Festival (JFest) is set to charm audiences once again, fostering a celebration of Jewish heritage and creativity that transcends boundaries. From May 30 to June 30, San Diego will come alive with the vibrant sounds and sights of Jewish music, theatre, dance, and performances marking its 31st year of artistic excellence.
This year’s festival promises a mesmerizing celebration of the rich diversity of Jewish people, history, and ideas through virtuoso performances. Festival venues span the county and include Balboa Theatre, The Old Globe, Lawrence Family JCC, the Unitarian Church in Hillcrest, UCSD Hillel, Coastal Roots Farm, and Leichtag Commons.
Festival founding artistic director Todd Salovey remarks, “Last year we rebirthed JFest and were amazed at the size and passion of our audiences. This year, the Festival is growing with one of the most celebrated and beloved Jewish performers, Mandy Patinkin, and nine unique programs meant to heal, bring joy, and inspire.”
International hip-hop artist Nissim Black returns to San Diego to kick off JFest on May 30th. With a musical style that ranges from Rap to Pop to World music, Nissim Black’s unique sound has uplifted audiences worldwide. This year’s headline performer is Tony, and Emmy Award winner, the acclaimed actor/singer/storyteller Mandy Patinkin presenting his most electrifying role: concert performer in BEING ALIVE at the Balboa Theatre. The Community Concert Refuah will take place at the JCC featuring talented performers from across San Diego sharing healing through song, dance, poetry, and more. Klezmer Summit this year presents From the Shuk to the Shtetl, a concert that traces how the strains of Middle Eastern folk music heard in the busy shuks influenced the Klezmer musicians who played throughout Eastern Europe. Punto y Coma Theatre takes the stage with the play in Spanish La Obra at The Old Globe and the 15th Women of Valor returns to showcase six inspiring women who have impacted our community. LA funnyman Avi Liberman will host Comedy for Koby, which has become Israel’s most popular English stand-up comedy tour. JFest will host a culinary theatre experience with chef Benedetta Jasmine Guetta of Santa Monica’s Café Lovi, where Playwright Ali Viterbi intertwines the historical, personal, and fictional dedicated to Italian Jews through the generations.
An Eco-Performance Fest in its second edition REGENERATE! at Coastal Roots Farm will wrap up JFest showcasing eco-theater, dance, and music by some of California’s most exciting, forward-thinking artists and there will be an after-party on the Farm at the closing of REGENERATE! to celebrate the festival and all who made it possible.
JFest producing director, Rebecca Myers, reflects, “This year, sharing stories that bring people together feels more important than ever. Seeing communities come together at JFest events is an important reminder of the beauty and joy of being Jewish and how essential it is to support Jewish art.”
Tickets for each event range from $18 to $140 and are available for purchase at www.sdjfest.org
Year after year, JFest continues to shine a light on the richness of Jewish culture by welcoming all individuals and cultures, fostering inclusivity, and creating high-quality cultural experiences for the entire community.
JFest 2024 SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE
May 30 @ 7:30 pm – Nissim Black – Lawrence Family JCC
June 4 @ 7:30 pm – Mandy Patinkin in Concert: BEING ALIVE – Balboa Theatre
June 10 @ 7:30 pm and June 13 @ 9:00 pm – Ken Jewish Community presents La Obra by Teatro Punto Y Coma (performed in Spanish) – The Old Globe’s Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre
June 18 @ 7:30 pm – Woman of Valor – Lawrence Family JCC
June 20 @ 6:00 pm – Italian Jews Through the Generations – UCSD Hillel
June 23 @ 2:00pm – Woman of Valor – Leichtag Commons, Encinitas
June 24 @ 7:30 pm – Comedy for Koby starring Avi Liberman – Lawrence Family JCC
June 25 @ 7:30 pm – Community Concert: Refuah – Lawrence Family JCC
June 27 @ 7:30 pm – Klezmer Summit From the Shuk to the Shtetl – First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Diego
June 30 @ 5:00 pm – REGENERATE! – An Eco Performance Fest – Coastal Roots Farm Encinitas
JFEST Locations:
Lawrence Family JCC | 4126 Executive Dr, La Jolla, CA 92037
Balboa Theatre | 868 4th Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101
The Old Globe | 1363 Old Globe Way, San Diego, CA 92101
UCSD Hillel | 9009 La Jolla Scenic Dr N, La Jolla, CA 92037
Coastal Roots Farm | 441 Saxony Road, Encinitas, CA 92024
Leichtag Commons | 441 Saxony Road, Encinitas, CA 92024
First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Diego | 298 W Arbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92103