Next year in... the Museum!

"So how far out do you guys plan all the fabulous programs that go on in Edmond J. Safra Hall?" I imagine you all ask this question daily. (Okay, I'm sure you don't. Humor me.) The truth is it takes months of planning to get everything together for you. The result is, of course, thought-provoking and artistically diverse presentations, such as yesterday's sold-out Rosenblatt Forum or last week's classical concerts, Music in Exile.

We are currently working on the production of our January-February calendar right now. I figured the first people to hear about some upcoming programs should be our loyal blog readers. Here are some of the programs you can expect in 2009*...


Public Programs that further explore themes and context of the ongoing Woman of Letters exhibit with a series of French films curated by Prof. Dudley Andrew of Yale. Films include David Golder, Les Jeux Interdits, Lacombe, Lucien, and Monsieur Klein. Special guests will present the context of these compelling movies and follow-up with post-screening Q&A sessions.

A program entitled Breach of Peace: Portraits of the 1961 Freedom Riders will be held in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.. Author Eric Etheridge and Freedom Riders Al Gordon, Joan Pleune, and Hezekia Watkins will discuss the spring and summer of 1961 and the hundreds of people (many Jewish) who converged on Jackson, Mississippi to challenge state segregation laws. This event will also include performances by Neshama Carlebach and the Green Pastures Baptist Choir.
In February, the Yuval Ron Ensemble will present The Lost Soul of Spain: Music and Dance of the Sephardic Jews. Featuring Hebrew and Ladino songs from Morocco, Andalusia, Bosnia, and Israel, this concert will be performed for the King of Morocco at the 2009 International Sacred Music of Fez. So the Museum presentation is actually a rare opportunity to see this before the King does! See: we treat you like royalty!


*More details will, of course, follow as the dates draw nearer!