Scene Around

Laugh and cry ...

(That seems to be how I describe my days lately).

During this pandemic, I stay at home a lot and watch television. Of course I see many comedians. There is one comedian especially, he was also a gifted actor, producer and director. His name was Mike Nichols.

Mike was only about seven years old when his parents sent him out of Germany, where he was born as Igor Mikhail Peschkowsky, to America to keep him from falling into the hands of Nazis. Yes, Mike Nichols was Jewish, and for years he formed a comedy team with ELAINE IVA BERLIN, and they were very famous and successful. (Oh yes, her performing name is ELAINE MAY. Surely you remember Nichols and May ... funny, funny, funny! By the way, she is also Jewish. What talent!

So much for laughter ... now crying ...

The other night I watched the movie "West Side Story" on television. It had a very sad ending indeed. The talents of the composer and lyricist were magnificent! Who were they? Why, Leonard Bernstein and STEPHEN SONDHEIM, of course.

(I capitalize those who are still with us and don't for those who have past on, in case you are wondering.) And of course, both Jewish!

What a talented people we are!

A sad anniversary ...

I received this letter from the president of the World Jewish Congress, RONALD S. LAUDER, and I pass it along in part to you:

"Holocaust remembrance stands at the core of our mission at the WJC. Preserving the memory of the devastating moment in history and ensuring that the World knows and understands how this greatest of human tragedies occurred underscores our global work each and every day.

In January, I again lent my voice as we commemorated the 76th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, an annual ceremony that this year needed to take place virtually for the first time.

And though we could not gather in person, we came together from around the world in a sacred virtual space, united in our collective mourning and our shared commitment to eradicating the hatred that led to the near destruction of European Jewry.

We must never forget the tragic price when the world turned a blind eye to hatred and extremism. We must continue to hold nations accountable for protecting their Jewish citizens and we must put an end to bias against the Jewish state of Israel in world bodies like the UN. Also, we must stop the viral spread of anti-Semitism and conspiracy myths throughout social media.

We must invest even more in Holocaust education to reverse the dangerous trend of historical ignorance among younger generations. And we must continue to stand together as one Jewish family to tell the world, today and always, "Never Again must mean NEVER AGAIN."

YES, I'm reporting it once more ...

Because it's one of my favorite (actually, my favorite) event of the year. I'm referring to the "Dazzling Divas." Their spectacular show takes place tomorrow, Saturday, May 22nd at the VFW, 1520 Ronald Reagan Blvd, Longwood. Doors open at 5 p.m. and the show begins at 6 p.m.

The cost is only $15 (which includes yummies). There will also be a birthday bash for one of my very favorite people, KENNY LEE.

(I haven't gone out anywhere since the start of the pandemic, but this I will not miss!)

The other entertainers include BJ Stephens, Crystal Viasse, Ramona, Geraldine Jones and Josslyn Jones. They are all fantastic!

See you there!

Winter Park Playhouse ...

While on the subject of yummies, I'm reminded of the off-Broadway musical, "Five Course Love." It is being performed now through June 13, one day before my 48th birthday! (Oh Shut up!)

The Winter Park Playhouse is located at 711 N. Orange Avenue in Winter Park (naturally) and always presents the finest performers.

For further information, phone 407-645-0145 or visit Winterparkplayhouse.org.

Alan Rock Jazz Information ...

At Blue Bamboo: May 21: Cortez/Williams Project 8 p.m.; Trumpeter Larry Williams has returned home to Orlando, and after a 10-year absence from the instrument, and much to the delight of his many fans, has also returned to the trumpet. Also an inspiring composer, guitarist, and percussionist, Larry's body of work includes orchestral, rock, world music, fusion, and straight-ahead jazz. The partnership between Chris Cortez and Larry Williams goes back over 40 years. The 2 spent the early part of their careers in the band Rhythm Method, which became a premier jazz/fusion group in Central Florida in the 1980s, opening for Miles Davis, James Brown, Zawinil Syndicate, and backing up Ira Sullivan and Joe Diorio, among others.

May 29: Bobby Koelble Quintet presents Flamenco Jazz, 8 p.m. – 10 p.m. A night of flamenco jazz featuring Bobby Koelble (guitar), Don Soledad (guitar), Alain Bradette (sax), Chuck Archard (bass) and Ito Colon (percussion). Bobby Koelble is a guitarist and teacher whose artistry ranges from straight-ahead jazz to heavy metal. He is a graduate of Berklee College of Music, and was a member of the foundational death metal band Death. He also released four albums as the guitarist/vocalist/composer for the eclectic rock band Junkierush. Today, Koelble is a professor of Jazz guitar at the University of Central Florida in Orlando and Rollins College in Winter Park, FL. He is guitarist for the Dave LaRue Band, The Absinthe Trio, and is a member of the hit jazz group "The Jazz Professors," who have released two Top Twenty Billboard Jazz albums to date. He has performed with Sam Rivers, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Lou Donaldson, Chris Potter, Larry Coryell, Kenny Drew Jr. and the finest jazz musicians in Central Florida.

At the Dr. Phillips Center:

May 21: 8 p.m. – 10 p.m., Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra Septet with Wynton Marsalis. The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra Septet's performance of "The Sounds of Democracy" aims to entertain, inspire, and uplift audiences with the full vigor, vision, and depth of America's music. Led by trumpeter/composer Wynton Marsalis and featuring seven of jazz's finest soloists, the concert's unique repertoire celebrates jazz's embodiment of freedom and democracy.

At Timucua Arts Foundation:

May 28: Will Patrick Quartet (LIVE) 7-9:30 p.m. Producer and multi-instrumentalist Will Patrick returns to Timucua! Patrick and his jazz quartet will perform compositions by Thelonious Monk, Victor Young, Sonny Rollins, and more. He has collaborated with artists including Bob James, Kirk Whalum, Larry Coryell, and members of Orlando based group, the Conglomerate. 2020 marked the beginning of independent releases with his group and label, the Radical Collective.

One for the road ...

Mrs. Grossman instructed the artist painting her portrait, "I want you should put a gold bracelet on each wrist, a pearl necklace on my neck, ruby earrings on each ear, an emerald tiara on my head, and, on each finger, a 20-carat diamond ring."

The artist was bewildered. "Why do you want to ruin a beautiful painting of yourself with all that stuff?"

Mrs. Grossman explained, "My husband is running around with a young chippie. When I die, I want her to go crazy looking for the jewelry."