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PRESIDENT’S GREETING Recently I had the chance to tune in to the Skirball Stages presentation of Dustbowl Revival (which you can still watch on our YouTube channel if you haven’t seen it yet). The folk band formed in 2009, at the height of the Great Recession. Previously, most of these fantastic musicians had worked in other professional capacities; they did not think they could make a living as musicians. The economic crisis of a decade ago made the choice to do what they loved a better one, despite financial risk. Their experience was shared by a generation of craftspeople and artists who turned to art in a moment of uncertainty. We are all conscious of the lives and livelihoods COVID-19 has cost us, especially in Black and Latinx communities. We are only beginning to see what the resilience, innovation, and passions of our community response will produce. LA Reflections, an extraordinary new discussion series with Los Angeles’s leading creative voices, will show us more. The Skirball is part of this conversation and this experimentation. New endeavors have included our Skirball Suppers and Skirball Studio Visits—ways to enjoy the tastes and experiences of a Skirball campus visit from the safety of your home. Our streaming performances, launched in August with Skirball Stages, continue into the winter, including the family-friendly Skirball Hanukkah Celebration, featuring local klezmer band Mostly Kosher and Israeli jazz-funk player Gili Yalo. However you choose to tune in and participate, one thing remains constant: our steadfast commitment to welcome all so that no one leaves a stranger.
Jessie Kornberg President and CEO Skirball Cultural Center
OUR MISSION The Skirball Cultural Center is a place of meeting guided by the Jewish tradition of welcoming the stranger and inspired by the American democratic ideals of freedom and equality. We welcome people of all communities and generations to participate in cultural experiences that celebrate discovery and hope, foster human connections, and call upon us to help build a more just society. NOV/DEC 2020
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MUSIC SKIRBALL STAGES
Watch on YouTube!
Tune in to these uniquely curated experiences, which pair acts from across the country and around the world with talent from the local music scene. During an extraordinary time, when opportunities for artists to perform live are rare, Skirball Stages presents a new avenue for creative expression. Join us for electrifying sets and heartfelt interviews that we can enjoy as a community. Visit skirball.org/skirball-stages for details on how to watch each concert event. All performances were filmed in compliance with local safety protocols to keep the musicians and crews safe.
VIRTUAL CONCERTS
Skirball Stages is made possible by generous support from:
The Bilger Family
NOW STREAMING Check out the first three Skirball Stages concert events, now streaming on YouTube! • Gavin Turek and Ak Dan Gwang Chil (available through November 29) • Aditya Prakash Ensemble and Rini • Dustbowl Revival and Mames Babegenush
Dustbowl Revival with special guest Lashon Halley
Las Cafeteras
LAS CAFETERAS AND XÊNIAFRANÇA
Premiering Saturday, November 21, 8:00 pm (PT)
Telling modern-day stories of Chicanx life in Southern California, LA favorites Las Cafeteras kick off the final Skirball Stages presentation of 2020. Get down to their uplifting blend of Afro-Mexican beats, hip-hop, and rancheras. Then, greeting us from Brazil, Latin Grammy–nominated singer Xênia França invites you to soak up the traditional rhythms of Bahia, mixed with a pulsing blend of electronica, jazz, and R&B. With smooth vocals and creative verve, França will have you grooving to a set filmed exclusively for the Skirball community. Make a night of it and swing by the Skirball beforehand to pick up a three-course meal inspired by the evening’s performances. See p. 6 for details.
FREE | RSVPs recommended
Xênia França
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FOOD SKIRBALL SUPPERS
Saturday, November 21 Curbside pickup 5:00–7:15 pm
Before settling in to watch the Skirball Stages premiere of Las Cafeteras and Xênia França (see p. 5 for concert details), swing by the Skirball campus to pick up a sumptuous three-course meal prepared by the Skirball’s expert culinary team. Inspired by the food of Brazil, França’s home country, the Skirball Suppers menu features piri-piri marinated chicken with charred lemon and roasted vegetable feijoada with farofa. Recipes of select dishes and cocktails to pair with your meal will be available for free online for at-home preparation.
Per person: $42 Preorder by November 18, 4:00 pm
LATKES AND TREATS TO GO
Sunday, December 13 Curbside pickup 12:00–2:00 pm
Make Hanukkah extra festive with carry-out holiday bites from the Skirball! Pick up a dozen (or two) potato latkes with all the fixings— from sliced lox and caviar to crème fraîche and applesauce—or a box of sweets featuring raspberry sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts), cookies, and chocolate gelt! Whether you prefer savory, sweet, or both, our treats to go are a delicious complement to our many holiday programs (see pp. 8–11).
Prices vary Preorder by December 9, 4:00 pm
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HOLIDAY PROGRAMS
SKIRBALL HANUKKAH CELEBRATION
Premiering Sunday, December 13, 3:00 pm (PT)
Come one and all to celebrate the Festival of Lights online! Perfect for fans of our much-beloved annual Hanukkah Festival, this one-of-a-kind streaming event features everything you’ve come to expect from a Skirball holiday extravaganza.
Watch on YouTube!
Enjoy a heartwarming community candle lighting and a lively sing-along to get you feeling festive. Groove to the klezmer beat of LA’s own Mostly Kosher, jam to the psychedelic funk of Israeli superstar Gili Yalo, and gather ’round for a lively retelling of the age-old Hanukkah story. If you tune in on Sunday, when the program premieres, you can participate in a virtual scavenger hunt for prizes. Can’t make the premiere? There’s plenty of time to enjoy the Skirball Hanukkah Celebration! The video will be available on YouTube for you and your family to watch throughout Hanukkah and beyond. Visit skirball.org/hanukkah-celebration for details on how to stream the premiere. All performances were filmed in compliance with local safety protocols to keep the artists and crews safe.
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ONLINE PROGRAM
Mostly Kosher
Gili Yalo
Skirball storyteller
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HOLIDAY PROGRAMS
HANUKKAH KEEPSAKE BOXES
Exploring the Art of Collage with Katie Lipsitt Sunday, December 6, 11:00 am–12:00 pm (PT); Or Sunday, December 13, 12:00–1:00 pm (PT)
Ages 6 and up
Play with shape, color, and composition using items provided in a custom Skirball art kit! In this workshop, led by artist Katie Lipsitt, decorate your own beautiful Hanukkah box in which to keep candles, dreidels, and cherished family mementos. Learn about how Lipsitt’s heritage informs her artwork and share some of your own family influences and traditions. This program is part of Skirball Studio Visits. See p. 18 to learn more. 1 session. Art kits are limited and can be shared. Purchase required to register.
Per art kit: $35 General | $25 Members Register by November 22
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ONLINE CLASS
THE WIDE WORLD OF HANUKKAH TREATS
Making Cheese Pancakes with Amelia Saltsman
Ages 5 and up
Sunday, December 13, 11:00 am–12:00 pm (PT); Or Sunday, December 13, 1:00–2:00 pm (PT)
What do we eat at Hanukkah? Foods cooked in oil... and not just potato latkes! The foods we eat depend on where our families come from and the journeys they’ve taken. Join Amelia Saltsman—writer, teacher, and award-winning author of The Seasonal Jewish Kitchen: A Fresh Take on Tradition—for a live cooking workshop in which you’ll make your own Hanukkah treat inspired by Saltsman’s Romanian and Iraqi roots: sweet and savory cheese pancakes! 1 session. Children must be accompanied by an adult. An ingredients list will be provided prior to the class.
Per household: $15 General | $10 Members Register by December 6
ONLINE CLASS
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Aram Han Sifuentes, banner for The Official Unofficial Voting Station, 2020. Photo by Thaib Wahab / PixelCharge Studios.
EXHIBITION THE OFFICIAL UNOFFICIAL VOTING STATION
Voting for All Who Legally Can’t Through November 30, 2020
Be part of a nationwide project designed to raise awareness about voter disenfranchisement. At the founding of our nation, fewer than five percent of residents were permitted by law to vote. In the centuries since, constitutional amendments and civil rights movements have expanded the franchise dramatically. Nevertheless, more than ninety million people living in the United States have no right to participate in the election of their representative government. The Official Unofficial Voting Station is an aspirational polling place where every voice counts, created by artist-activist Aram Han Sifuentes. In this online exhibition, cast a symbolic ballot and express your values and visions for the future of America —no matter your age, citizenship, or other ineligibility. Participants receive the artist’s Voting Stickers for ALL, eye-opening infographics about US voting rights, and more in a “Voted Despite the System” Justice Kit assembled to inspire public support for expanding access to the vote. Join this voting movement in its final weeks and consider the pressing question at the heart of Sifuentes’s project: What would our democracy look like if those who cannot vote, could?
FREE
ONLINE EXHIBITION
As a component of Talking Back to Power: Projects by Aram Han Sifuentes, the online exhibition The Official Unofficial Voting Station: Voting for All Who Legally Can’t and its related educational programs are made possible by generous support from the following donor:
RELATED PROGRAM THE FUTURE IS ME
Cape Making with Exhibiting Artist Aram Han Sifuentes
Sunday, November 22, 11:00 am–12:00 pm (PT) Families with children, imagine how you can be heroes of change in an online class led by Aram Han Sifuentes! Using materials in a custom Skirball art kit, create a cape that showcases your own unique slogan about how we can all help build a better world. See p. 18 for details.
ONLINE CLASS
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WORDS AND IDEAS LA REFLECTIONS: SHIFTING CULTURE How have the extraordinary events of 2020 impacted culture makers in Los Angeles? Join us for curated panel discussions with some of LA’s most creative voices. Learn how artists have found inspiring ways to shift their practices and connect with audiences through the pandemic, social uprising, and beyond. After each conversation, join the artists in a post-panel Q&A.
FREE | Reservations required
VIRTUAL TALKS
VISUAL ART IN TIMES OF CRISIS
Sunday, November 8, 7:00 pm (PT)
Early in the pandemic, Corie Mattie painted “after the plague came the renaissance” on a boarded-up shop in Santa Monica. A simple reminder of our humanity, Mattie’s message is just one example of how visual artists have challenged and uplifted us during a difficult year. In this panel discussion, moderated by Skirball curator Cate Thurston, join Mattie along with fellow muralist Ruben Rojas and noted Pop artist Burton Morris as they share how they’re doing, what they’re working on, and the many ways art can be used for social good.
Corie Mattie
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Ruben Rojas
Burton Morris
Bruce Lemon
Ryan Heffington
Kristina Wong
Patricia Garza
Jessica Hanna
PERFORMANCE IN THE MIDST OF RADICAL CHANGE
Sunday, December 6, 7:00 pm (PT)
With restrictions on in-person gatherings, performance artists everywhere have had to adjust to distanced art making and exploration. Here in Los Angeles, choreographer Ryan Heffington has delighted the world with his lighthearted Instagram Live dance parties; comedian and elected official Kristina Wong began the Auntie Sewing Squad, a sewing collective that has produced more than eighty thousand cloth face masks (and counting!) for underserved populations; and storyteller Bruce Lemon turned his live KPCC program, Unheard LA, into a limited virtual series focused on race in Los Angeles. Patricia Garza, Line Producer of Special Artistic Projects at Center Theatre Group, offers behind-the-scenes insight about how LA’s largest regional theater is navigating the pandemic and addressing renewed calls for diversity and representation. Join these artists for a conversation about art and action in a changing world, hosted by celebrated LA theater maker Jessica Hanna. NOV/DEC 2020
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WORDS AND IDEAS CRIP CAMP: A DISABILITY REVOLUTION
A Conversation with Co-Directors Nicole Newnham and Jim LeBrecht Wednesday, December 2, 7:00 pm (PT)
Commemorating the International Day of Persons with Disabilities! In the compelling documentary Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution, executive produced by Michelle and Barack Obama, a groundbreaking summer camp galvanizes a group of teens with disabilities to help build a movement. Together, the teens forge a new path toward greater equality and the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. In this livestream conversation, join co-directors Nicole Newnham and Jim LeBrecht to learn more about this untold story of the beginnings of a revolution. A Netflix Original Documentary, Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution is available to stream on Netflix.
FREE | Reservations required
Nicole Newnham
VIRTUAL TALK
Jim LeBrecht
Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution
CLASSES
The Big Lebowski
CLASSES COMING IN 2021 Registration opens mid-December! Connect and learn with us from home this winter. Look out for detailed descriptions of the following online classes in the next issue of this printed Skirball program guide or online in December. • Coen Brothers Film Group—Converse about some of the most iconic films by this legendary filmmaker duo, including The Big Lebowski and A Serious Man. • Curtain Up! Light the Lights!—Revisit some of Broadway’s most enduring shows by Jule Styne, Comden and Green, Marvin Hamlisch, Neil Simon, and Charles Strouse. • Everyday Mindfulness and Self-Compassion—Learn techniques to find equanimity and joy in the present moment, even during challenging times. • The Healing Power of Art—Begin 2021 with a look at the power of art to heal and restore us. • Introduction to Creative Writing—Tap into your creativity, strengthen your writing practice, and enjoy the company and feedback of others. • Realism in Italian Opera—Listen and learn how nineteenth-century Italian opera marked a period of enormous artistic creativity. • The Serious Side of Music Humor—Discover how music has been a useful tool in satirizing culture, politics, and human behavior, as well as poking fun at other musicians. • Skirball Book Groups—Discuss five books chosen around the theme of art, society, and the individual, including works by Héctor Tobar and Louise Erdrich. NOV/DEC 2020
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FAMILY PROGRAMS SKIRBALL STUDIO VISITS
Ages 6 and up
Get to know dynamic contemporary artists in this online workshop series! Featuring custom art kits mailed to your home, each Skirball Studio Visits program invites you to imagine, connect, and create. 1 session. Art kits are limited and can be shared. Purchase required to register.
Per art kit: $35 General | $25 Members Find registration deadlines on skirball.org
ONLINE CLASSES
THE FUTURE IS ME
Cape Making with Exhibiting Artist Aram Han Sifuentes Sunday, November 22, 11:00 am–12:00 pm (PT)
What do you want to share with the world? How will you make your mark? Chicago-based fiber and performance artist Aram Han Sifuentes, creator of The Official Unofficial Voting Station (see pp. 12–13), will guide you in creating your own unique cape inspired by a cause you care about. As you wear your cape, imagine how you can be a hero of change!
HANUKKAH KEEPSAKE BOXES
Exploring the Art of Collage with Katie Lipsitt Sunday, December 6, 11:00 am–12:00 pm (PT); Or Sunday, December 13, 12:00–1:00 pm (PT)
Guided by Los Angeles artist Katie Lipsitt, discover the art of collage and decorate your own beautiful box in which to keep cherished holiday mementos. Learn about this program and more Hanukkah fun on pp. 8–11.
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SCHOOL PROGRAMS Check out our programs for distance learning! Visit skirball.org/education for information about our Noah’s Ark classroom curriculum and more Roslyn and Abner Goldstine School Programs.
NOAH’S ARK AT THE SKIRBALL™ CURRICULUM
Pilot lessons and videos available now
Bring the wonder of Noah’s Ark into your classroom community! Developed especially for online learning platforms, this suite of lesson plans and vibrant video content invites students to take part in the Noah’s Ark experience from home. As a class, students will make cultural connections, engage in art making, and develop a plan for positive change! Visit skirball.org/education to download the Noah’s Ark curriculum and show your students how even the youngest members of our community can make a big difference. Pre-K through Grade 5 classes. Developed based on Grade 2 California State Standards.
FREE
THANK YOU, TEACHERS Teachers, you are incredible! Thank you for everything you’re doing to help students learn, grow, and stay connected this year. Now and always, the Skirball is here to support you and your students. Let us know what you’re up to and how we can help by emailing teacherprograms@skirball.org. NOV/DEC 2020
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MEMBERSHIP
WE MISS YOU TOO, MEMBERS It’s not the same here without you! In recent months, during the Skirball’s temporary closure, a cadre of staff began making check-in calls to you, our wonderful Members. To date, we have connected with more than 3,750 of you! We appreciate the chance to hear how you’re doing and learn more about your Member experiences. It’s nice to hear, in your own words, that your Skirball Membership matters. “I miss the movies, lectures, food—everything Skirball!” “Reaching out to me is the sweetest thing.” “I appreciate the online book group. Thank you for keeping staff and Members safe.” While many of you expressed that you miss visiting on site, we are grateful that you have continued engaging with us online. Keep in touch, take care, and be well.
MEMBER MOMENT “I joined in 1996 with my late wife, Marsha, when our girls were young. Together we shared many family visits to Noah’s Ark and the Museum, first with our daughters and later our grandchildren. My daughter Karyn’s wedding in the Taper Courtyard is a fond family memory. I am proud to sustain my Skirball Membership together with my wife, Linda. Whether attending a Skirball exhibition, program, or community gathering, we enjoy the Skirball and look forward to visiting and attending future events there. “I serve on the board of Bet Tzedek, a free legal aid agency, which used to be headed by the Skirball’s new President and CEO, Jessie Kornberg. I was greatly impressed by her passionate leadership there. The Skirball is fortunate to have Jessie at its helm. Linda and I know that she will add great value to this important asset of the Jewish community.”—Michael Wachtell, Skirball Member since 1996 20
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GET INVOLVED
SUPPORT OUR MISSION
Your philanthropy sustains our ability to offer educational and cultural programming to the community, including schoolchildren and teachers. Help us continue to develop and present meaningful experiences, both online—such as Noah’s Ark videos filmed inside the gallery (pictured above) and a slate of virtual talks—and in person when we can welcome everyone back. As we approach the conclusion of an exceptional year and continue preparing for a safe and responsible reopening, please consider the Skirball in your end-of-year giving plans. The Skirball welcomes donations of cash, securities, and gift annuities. To give online or for more information, visit skirball.org/donate or call (310) 440-4579.
PLAN AN EVENT
Nestled in the Santa Monica Mountains, the Skirball Cultural Center is your venue of choice for reconnecting and celebrating anew. Our Hospitality and Private Events team has developed a strategy to meet public health requirements while continuing to offer creative event planning and personalized care. As always, the well-being of you and your guests is our highest priority. Email private-events@skirball.org to inquire about gatherings for up to fifty guests. The Skirball also welcomes inquiries about film shoots on our spectacular campus. We look forward to welcoming you soon!
STAY CONNECTED
As we prepare for a responsible return to campus, we hope you’ll stay in touch with us online! Sign up for Skirball e-news and find us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to learn about our many online offerings and for updates on our reopening. NOV/DEC 2020
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TICKETING METHODS ONLINE—RSVP to YouTube premieres, register for online classes, and/or reserve for virtual talks at skirball.org. No service charges apply! Member tip—When you are ready to register/reserve online, click on the “Sign In” link at the top of the page and enter the email address and password associated with your membership account. If you do not recall your password, click on the “Forgot your password?” link to create a new one. If you are a new Member without an online account, create one now by clicking the “Create an Account” link and following the prompts. To confirm which email address is associated with your membership, contact membership@skirball.org and a Skirball representative will get back to you. To apply Member discounts, don’t forget to sign in before placing your order! PHONE—Register/reserve by calling (877) SCC-4TIX or (310) 440-4500 and press 2. Kindly leave a message and your call will be returned. Service charges may apply. ON SITE—Due to the Skirball’s temporary closure to the public, registration/reservation support is not available on site. Thank you for your patience.
POLICIES Adult education class fees must be paid prior to the first session and are fully refundable if you cancel your registration at least twenty-four hours prior to the first session. Adult education classes may be cancelled due to insufficient enrollment. Email adulteducation@skirball.org for updates. Member discounted rates for adult education classes are limited to two Members per membership. For all other paid programs: All sales are final • No refunds or exchanges
Credits: COVER: Las Cafeteras by JP 2–3 South Arroyo by Mercie Ghimire; Jessie Kornberg by Ramona Trent 4–5 Dustbowl Revival with guest Lashon Halley by Larry Sandez; Las Cafeteras by JP; Xênia França by Noa Grayevsky 6–7 Vegetable Feijoada © Shutterstock.com/ianwalker; Jelly Doughnuts and Chocolate Gelt © Dreamstime.com/K45025; Latkes © Dreamstime.com/Vitalii Shastun 8–9 Mostly Kosher by Rick Raasch; Gili Yalo by Michael Topyol 10–11 Katie Lipsitt, photo courtesy of the artist; Collage Art by Katie Lipsitt; Cheese Pancakes by Amelia Saltsman; Amelia Saltsman by Patricia Williams 12–13 Aram Han Sifuentes by Tori Soper 14–15 Corie Mattie by Jay Jones; Burton Morris by Sara Firestone; Ruben Rojas, courtesy of the artist; Ryan Heffington by Kira Lillie; Kristina Wong by Tom Fowler; Bruce Lemon, courtesy of the artist; Patricia Garza, courtesy of the artist; Jessica Hanna by Peter Konerko 16–17 Nicole Newnham, photo courtesy of Netflix; Jim LeBrecht, photo courtesy of Netflix; Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution (2020), directed by Nicole Newnham and Jim LeBrecht, © Netflix, courtesy of Netflix; The Big Lebowski (1998), directed by Joel Coen, © Gramercy Pictures, courtesy of Gramercy Pictures/Photofest 20–21 Hanukkah Banner by Mercie Ghimire; Member Moment, courtesy of Michael Wachtell 22–23 North Campus by Mercie Ghimire BACK COVER: Gili Yalo by Michael Topyol © 2020 Skirball Cultural Center
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skirball.org
STAY CONNECTED
2701 N SEPULVEDA BLVD LOS ANGELES CA 90049-6833
Celebrate Hanukkah with acclaimed Israeli musician Gili Yalo. See p. 8 for details.