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Diamonds Of The Dead Sea
With people from all over the country slated to observe the ancient Dead Sea Scrolls, marketing coordinator for the San Diego Natural History Museum (SDNHM) Hallie Shere confirms what Diegans already know: "We aren’t in L.A.’s shadow anymore." And according to Shere, not since the treasures of King Tut’s tomb toured the country has a museum exhibition raised so much interest. Treasures of a different kind but treasures indeed, the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in Israel and are widely acknowledged as mankind’s greatest archaeological link to the beginnings of Rabbinic Judaism and Christianity. Among them, the oldest known manuscripts from nearly every book in the Hebrew Bible as well as hymns, prayers, and apocryphal manuscripts — texts previously excluded from biblical canon. Setting this display apart from other venues hosting Dead Sea Scrolls exhibitions is the fact that SDNHM is the only one that was granted two sets of 12 IAA scrolls, which will allow for an unprecedented six-month run. With tickets already sold to visitors from 27 states and Canada, and perfectly timed to coincide with the American Academy of Religion and the Society of Biblical Literature conference destined for San Diego in November, the exhibition is expected to draw at least 400,000 people. "The public is extremely excited for this exhibition," says Shere, "especially because it truly is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for most people." The exhibition runs June 29 through December 31, with one set of scrolls being exhibited for three months and another set for three more. (619/255-0193, www.sdscrolls.org)
— Rebecca Chappell
Body Art
Only the most squeamish should bypass Bodies...The Exhibition, which presents a fascinating look at human anatomy through preserved body specimens. Using a technology called plastination, scientists can dissect and display bodies and organs in innovative ways. A full-body specimen, dermis removed, is fixed in an athletic pose, giving viewers a rare glimpse at the muscular system in action. Placed next to a healthy lung, a smoker’s lung sends a more powerful message than any TV ad, while another body specimen reveals the ravages of obesity. Some of the tastefully presented displays — thousands of tiny red capillaries, for example — are so striking they might be mistaken for art. With an emphasis on the visual, Bodies teaches about the complexities of the human systems, including skeletal, circulatory, respiratory, and reproductive. And for non-science types — it’s a lot cooler than your high school anatomy class. Bodies... The Exhibition is currently slated to run through early September at Westfield UTC. (877/BODIES5, www.bodiestheexhibition.com) — AnnaMaria Stephens
Vegas — Acting Up
Broadway theatre in Las Vegas? No way. Yet, something’s happening there, and it’s great. Having enjoyed Jack O’Brien’s Hairspray and a delightful Avenue Q in Las Vegas last year, we recently opted for a luxe Vegas theatre immersion, and were definitely not disappointed. First up was a fabulous production of Monty Python’s Spamalot at Wynn Las Vegas. Starring John O’Hurley, this Spamalot is crisp, funny, and Broadway professional. It’s all so silly, yet brilliant, and definitely merits a long run. (877/321-WYNN, www.wynnlasvegas.com) In Love Theatre at The Mirage, we were wowed by the much-publicized The Beatles LOVE, which fantastically combines elements of Cirque du Soleil with songs of The Beatles. The custom-built theatre offers 360-degree seating, panoramic video, and surround sound. Cirque du Soleil incorporates movement styles, such as lyrical skateboarding, and Stomp-type dancing, in addition to its usual masterful acrobatic feats. (702/792-7777, www.themirage.com) The third show in this flurry of Vegas theatre going was a gorgeous new version of The Phantom of the Opera. Having seen the original Broadway production in New York on a New Year’s Eve, in the company of a black-tie audience, we entered the theatre at The Venetian with an attitude of skepticism, only to be won over by exquisite artistry. It was clear that, in casting roles, voices were of paramount importance. The music was sung with clarity, while the sets and costumes seemed inspired by paintings. The theatre itself is designed to resemble the interior of the Paris Opera House. Technical effects are pretty amazing. (702/414-7469, www.venetian.com) It’s hard to imagine having a higher quality theatrical experience on Broadway than you will have in Las Vegas with these shows. — Darlene G. Davies
Leading Dads
You’ve see them on the silver screen, shooting bad guys, wooing vixens, sometimes saving the world, and sometimes trying to take it over. Offscreen, however, Hollywood’s leading men have lives not unlike you or me. Okay, maybe not exactly like you and me, but many of them do go home at the end of the day to be with their family, which is something we can all relate to; even the most vile onscreen villain tucks his children in at night, plays ball with them on the weekends, and threatens to turn the car around if the backseat squabbling doesn’t stop. Released in time for Father’s Day, Hollywood Dads captures tender moments between today’s leading men and their offspring. Photographer Joyce Ostin offers a unique collection of celebrities for the book, including Michael J. Fox, Tom Hanks, Robin Williams, Quincy Jones, and David Duchovny, to name just a few. Even if you don’t like their films, it’s fun to marvel at the resemblances. (www.chroniclebooks.com) — Ryan Thomas
Art For Heroes
Videogamers unite. From June 4 through July 31, the San Diego chapter of The Art Institute of California, in conjunction with Sony Online Entertainment, presents The Masters of Fantasy Art exhibition highlighting game art created by Keith Parkinson. "Our goal is to highlight the artistry that is integral to the creation of video games," says Laura Naviaux of Sony Online Entertainment. Trained as a classical artist, Keith Parkinson created well-known fantasy art images and book covers serving as the hallmark art style for the fantasy genre. His early work included book covers for Dragonlance and Forgotten Realms, and paintings for bestselling fantasy authors Terry Goodkind, Margaret Weis, and Terry Brooks. Turning toward technology, Parkinson created the original artwork for one of the highest selling video games in history, EverQuest. Later he joined Sigil Games Online working as art director to create the artistic vision behind Vanguard: Saga of Heroes before his passing in 2005. "By showcasing Keith Parkinson’s work on the new Vanguard: Saga of Heroes online game," says Naviaux, "we hope to raise the public’s awareness of computer and graphical arts as a discipline." (800/591-2422, www.artinstitutes.edu/sandiego)
— Nickolas Cook
Culture Calendar
June
Ongoing: Ocean Oasis
This giant-screen film takes viewers on a fascinating journey into Mexico’s Sea of Cortés and the Baja California desert. Winner of the Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival and the International Wildscreen Film Festival. San Diego Natural History Museum. (619/232-3821, www.sdnhm.org)
Thru 6/9: Alex Webb: Istanbul: City Of A Hundred Names
Joseph Bellows Gallery presents the gallery’s second exhibition of photographs by Alex Webb, featuring photographs from Webb’s new book, Istanbul: City of a Hundred Names. (858/456-5620, www.josephbellows.com)
Thru 6/10: Eva Zeisel: Extraordinary Designer At 100
Mingei International Museum. (619/239-0003, www.mingei.org)
Thru 6/24: Who’s Afraid Of Virginia Woolf?
Considered by many to be Edward Albee’s masterpiece, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? is a brilliantly original theatrical experience, surging with shocks of recognition and dramatic fire. The Old Globe’s Cassius Carter Centre Stage. (619/23-GLOBE, www.theoldglobe.org)
Thru 6/24: Baby
North Coast Repertory Theatre closes its 26th season with an intelligently charming musical by Sybille
Pearson, lyrics by Richard Maltby Jr., music by David Shire, and directed by Paula Kalustian. (858/481-2155, www.northcoastrep.org)
Thru 7/8: Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Lamb’s Players Theatre’s first major musical hit comes for the first time to the resident stage in Coronado and will be directed by Robert Smyth. (619/437-0600, www.lambsplayers.org)
Thru 7/29: Waking Dreams: The Art Of The Pre-Raphaelites From The Delaware Art Museum
Drawn from the Delaware Art Museum, which houses the largest collection of Pre-Raphaelite art outside the United Kingdom, the works featured in Waking Dreams represent some of the most iconic images of the period. San Diego Museum of Art. (619/232-7931, www.sdmart.org)
Thru 7/31: The Alps
Producer Greg MacGillivray and director Stephen Judson present a film that celebrates the majestic Alpine locale and the culture and lifestyle of the people living among its craggy slopes. On IMAX at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center. (619/238-1233, www.rhfleet.org)
Thru 8/5: Eighth Annual San Diego Jewish Music Festival
Headlining this year’s music festival are Israeli bassist/composer Avishai Cohen; tenor Michael Philip Davis; the Israel Contemporary String Quartet; the distinguished American pianist Jeffrey Siegel; and the Israeli ensemble, SheshBesh, along with a variety of other musicians. (858/362-1348, www.lfjcc.org/sdjmf)
Thru 9/9: Harry Callahan: The Photographer At Work
The Museum of Photographic Arts presents an exhibition of photographs and rare archival materials by master 20th century photographer Harry Callahan. The exhibition features approximately 120 photographs along with the artist’s working materials drawn from Callahan’s archive at the Center for Creative Photography in Tuscon, AZ. (619/238-7559, www.mopa.org)
6/2: Switchfoot Bro-Am After Party With Special Guests
The Belly Up. (858/481-8140 , www.bellyup.com)
6/2: Bobbie Eakes & Walt Willey
Two daytime TV stars — Bobbie Eakes of All My Children and The Bold and the Beautiful and Walt Willey of All My Children — take their off-screen talents and combine them for an evening of heartfelt songs and belly-laughing humor. California Center for the Arts, Escondido. (800/988-4253, www.artcenter.org)
6/2-9/2: Vik Muniz: Reflex
The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego in La Jolla presents works by Brazilian artist Vik Muniz, who has been intriguing audiences worldwide with his photographs documenting his pictorial reconstructions of famous images from the news, art history, and mass media. (858/454-3541, www.mcasd.org)
6/3: Morrissey With Kristeen Young
Viejas Concerts at Bayside. (619/220-TIXS, www.ticketmaster.com)
6/3: David Benoit
David Benoit is renowned for his influential contributions to modern jazz. As a composer and pianist, he has reshaped jazz with innovations that have made him a five-time Grammy Awards nominee. California Center for the Art, Escondido. (800/988-4253, www.artcenter.org)
6/4: An Evening Of Archaeology And Music
The San Diego Museum of Man has partnered with Mainly Mozart for An Evening of Archaeology and Music from 6-8:30pm. The pre-opening benefit celebration will offer a preview of the much-anticipated Journey to the Copper Age: Archaeology in the Holy Land exhibit, and a Mainly Mozart concert performance by renowned violinist Ida Levin. (619/239-2001, www.mainlymozart.org)
6/4: John Cruz
Hawaiian singer-songwriter and Grammy winner John Cruz performs at the Belly Up Tavern. (858/481-8140, www.bellyup.com)
6/5: Manu Chao
Radio Bemba Sound System at Viejas Concerts at Bayside. (619/220-TIXS, www.ticketmaster.com)
6/5-10: Hairspray
This mega-hit is piled bouffant-high with laughter and romance — and enough tuneful songs to fill a nonstop platter party. (619/220-TIXS, www.ticketmaster.com)
6/5-7/22: Carmen
After years of working on large-scale productions for Cirque du Soleil, Franco Dragone brings his heightened theatricality to the intimate environment of La Jolla Playhouse with Carmen, a brand new musical interpretation of Mérimée’s famous novella. (858/550-1010, www.lajollaplayhouse.org)
6/10: Keith Urban With The Wreckers
ipayOne Center. (619/220-TIXS, www.ticketmaster.com)
6/10: Tomás Kubínek
Poetic, outrageous, and hilarious — a one-man extravaganza — Kubínek performs mind-boggling miracles and feats of the most virtuosic variety. California Center for the Arts, Escondido. (800/988-4253, www.artcenter.org)
6/10: Mainly Mozart
The California Center for the Art’s season concludes in classical music splendor with the annual performance by the Mainly Mozart Festival Orchestra with Conductor David Atherton. California Center for the Arts, Escondido. (800/988-4253, www.artcenter.org)
6/10- 1/31/08: Journey To The Copper Age: Archaeology In The Holy Land
At the San Diego Museum of Man, this exhibit features 6,000-year-old objects from the Israel Museum and stunning photography by Kenneth Garrett. (619/239-2001, www.museumofman.org)
6/12-17: Stomp
Stomp, the international percussion sensation, makes its triumphant return to San Diego Civic Theatre after playing to sell-out crowds for over 12 seasons. (619/220-TIXS, www.ticketmaster.com)
6/13-16: SoundON Festival
The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library will host a new music festival featuring the NOISE Ensemble that presents four days of contemporary music. Composers in attendance include Edward Top (Netherlands), Orlando Jacinto García (USA), Sidney Marquez Boquiren (Philippines), NOISE composer-in-residence Christopher Adler, and more. (858/454-5872, www.ljathenaeum.org)
6/16-8/31: Chip Hooper: New Zealand’s South Pacific And Tasman Sea
Joseph Bellows Gallery presents an exhibition of work from Hooper’s most recent series, An opening reception with the artist takes place on Saturday, June 16, from 3-8pm. (858/456-5620, www.josephbellows.com)
6/16-9/30: Hamlet
Shakespeare’s great tragedy has fascinated and enthralled audiences for nearly 400 years, but remains as relevant and urgent as ever. The Old Globe’s Lowell Davies Festival Theatre. (619/23-GLOBE, www.theoldglobe.org)
6/20-8/5: Avenue Q
Winner of the 2004 Tony Award for Best Musical and still one of the biggest hits on Broadway, Avenue Q tells the hilarious story of Princeton, a bright-eyed college grad who comes to New York City with big dreams and a tiny bank account. At Spreckels Theatre. (619/23-GLOBE, www.theoldglobe.org)
6/20-9/30: The Two Gentlemen Of Verona
Shakespeare’s classic comedic tale of two headstrong lovers comes to The Old Globe’s Lowell Davies Festival Theatre. (619/23-GLOBE, www.theoldglobe.org)
6/21-7/15: Boyd Gavin Exhibition
Susan Street Fine Art Gallery presents new still-life works by Boyd Gavin, a prominent California painter. A reception with the artist takes place on June 21 from 6-9pm. (858/793-4442, www.susanstreetfineart.com)
6/21-1/1/08: Contemporary Israeli Photography
The Ordover Gallery at the San Diego Natural History Museum presents Contemporary Israeli Photography, which complements the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit. Photos showcase the faces of Israel’s founding leaders, children in Torah class, ancient Israeli architecture, and religious rituals. An opening reception, with live music and refreshments, will be on July 14 from 10:30am-1pm. (619/232-3821, www.sdnhm.org)
6/23-24: La Jolla Festival Of The Arts
In its 21st year, the festival is one of the top-rated art shows in California, and hosts over 190 award-winning artists from around the country. Proceeds benefit over 30 programs for San Diegans with disabilities. The UCSD East Campus parking lots. (858/456-1268, www.lajollaartfestival.org)
6/23-9/30: Measure For Measure
Truth and hypocrisy, chastity and lust, justice and compassion collide in Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure. The Old Globe’s Lowell Davies Festival Theatre. (619/23-GLOBE, www.theoldglobe.org)
7/12: Summer Light
Rancho Santa Fe Art Guild presents an artist reception and spring exhibition. Guests will also enjoy refreshments and entertainment. 5-8pm at the The Rancho Santa Fe Art Gallery. (858/759-3545, www.ranchosantafeartguild.org)
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