Category Arts & Culture

The Moaning Yoni returns

photo - In this scene from their solo physical comedy The Moaning Yoni, Joylyn Secunda is playing the vulva character, Yoni, who is based on the archetype of the Jewish mother (inspired by their own grandmother) – Yoni is strangling the Disembodied Voice of the Patriarchy with a tampon string

In this scene from their solo physical comedy The Moaning Yoni, Joylyn Secunda is playing the vulva character, Yoni, who is based on the archetype of the Jewish mother (inspired by their own grandmother) – Yoni is strangling the Disembodied…

Reading expands experience

images - Yosef Wosk and Gidal book cover

Letters that highlight friendship, writing that facilitates healing, stories that dissect societal mores – the books reviewed by the Jewish Independent this week represent only a small fraction of those featured at the Cherie Smith JCC Jewish Book Festival this…

Controversy welcome

photo - Soldiers of Tomorrow, about Itai Erdal’s experiences in the Israeli army, is at the Roundhouse Feb. 3-5

Soldiers of Tomorrow, about Itai Erdal’s experiences in the Israeli army, is at the Roundhouse Feb. 3-5. (photo from the Elbow Theatre) “I know that this play will piss off a lot of people on both sides of the conflict, but…

Sacre premières here

photo - Circa’s Sacre is an exploration of humanity’s interconnectivity, our inherent sexual desire and our complex relationship with divinity

Circa’s Sacre is an exploration of humanity’s interconnectivity, our inherent sexual desire and our complex relationship with divinity. (photo by Pedro Greig) DanceHouse and the Cultch present the Canadian première of Circa’s acrobatic Sacre, on stage Jan. 17-21, 8 p.m.,…

Opening gates of kabbalah

photo - Rabbi Matthew Ponak recently released his latest book, Embodied Kabbalah: Jewish Mysticism for All People

Rabbi Matthew Ponak recently released his latest book, Embodied Kabbalah: Jewish Mysticism for All People. (photo by Marilyn Wolovick) Rabbi Matthew Ponak introduced his new book, Embodied Kabbalah: Jewish Mysticism for All People, this month both in a Zoom event…

Reflecting on life of creativity

image - Earlier this year, Claire B. Cohen published a book of her 30-plus years as an artist. She made it for family and friends, as a record of her artistic legacy

Earlier this year, Claire B. Cohen published a book of her 30-plus years as an artist. She made it for family and friends, as a record of her artistic legacy. “Art is a powerful and a creative force of self-expression.…

Artist advocates for nature

photo - Lori Goldberg’s artwork reminds viewers that “that which we discard doesn’t disappear”

Lori Goldberg’s artwork reminds viewers that “that which we discard doesn’t disappear.” (photo from Lori Goldberg) If you attend a performance at Queen Elizabeth Theatre, you will see the artwork of Lori Goldberg. She is one of the artists whose…

Survivors share their stories

photo - Charlotte Schallié, a University of Victoria scholar and Holocaust historian who is leading the graphic novel project, with survivor David Schaffer and graphic artist Miriam Libicki, left, at Schaffer’s home in Vancouver in January 2020

Charlotte Schallié, a University of Victoria scholar and Holocaust historian who is leading the graphic novel project, with survivor David Schaffer and graphic artist Miriam Libicki, left, at Schaffer’s home in Vancouver in January 2020. (photo by Mike Morash) A…

Beckow’s music legacy – CDs now available

photo - Left to right: Wendy Bross Stuart, Jessica Stuart and Katey Morley in a Joan Beckow Legacy Project performance at Holy Blossom Temple, Toronto, on Nov. 19

Left to right: Wendy Bross Stuart, Jessica Stuart and Katey Morley in a Joan Beckow Legacy Project performance at Holy Blossom Temple, Toronto, on Nov. 19. (photo by Robert Saxe) The Joan Beckow Legacy Project performance at Holy Blossom Temple, Toronto,…

Hochman joins Fung in VRS concert

photo - Zlatomir Fung (cello) and Benjamin Hochman (piano)

Zlatomir Fung (cello) and Benjamin Hochman (piano). (photo from vanrecital.com) The Vancouver Recital Society (VRS) presents American cellist Zlatomir Fung and Israeli pianist Benjamin Hochman at the Vancouver Playhouse Jan. 15. Fung has racked up a slew of awards: in…