The arrival of the Thanksgiving Weekend means that the holiday season is officially upon us. We all have our traditions of course, and one of mine that stretches back a quarter-century in my family is listening to Judy Collins’ “Christmas at the Biltmore Estate” album.
Recorded live at that beautiful mansion in Asheville, N.C. in 1997, the CD features Collins singing 14 holiday favorites in her emotive, crystalline voice. “Christmas at the Biltmore” was also captured on video, one that’s still available on Amazon Prime.
So naturally I’ve associated Judy Collins, now 85 years old and still performing, with the holidays ever since. That brings us to next Thursday night at the Magnolia Theater in El Cajon where Collins arrives with her “Holidays & Hits Tour.”
OK, it’s not the Biltmore Estate, but Collins should bring the same spirit to this show as she did to that one so long ago.
There are several Judy Collins holiday albums out there, so clearly she’s sentimental about this time of year. Like many of us.
Classical Music
Summertime’s long over and colder days and nights are upon us, but the warmth of 2024’s La Jolla Music Society SummerFest can now be rekindled thanks to streaming performances from the 2024 festival now available online.
You can relive performances from the festival, which ran July 26 to Aug. 24, via either the LJMS YouTube channel (youtube.com/@theconradprebys) or the company’s Digital Concert Hall (theconrad.org/digital-concert-hall).
The musical selections were once again captured and edited by cinematographer Tristan Cook, who told me a couple of years ago in a Union-Tribune interview that he considers these films “their own art form. Not necessarily the art form of music or cinema, but its own thing: a cinematic movie (with music).”
Among the highlights available for viewing is a performance of Beethoven’s Piano Trio in B-flat Major, Op. 97 “Archduke,” which featured SummerFest Music Director Inon Barnatan on piano, Alisa Weilerstein on cello and Stefan Jackiw on violin.
Theater
Next Thursday also bring the opening of La Jolla Playhouse’s 2024 DNA New Work Series. For two weekends – Dec. 5-8 and Dec. 12-15 – staged readings free and open to the public will highlight a variety of theatrical works under development by both established and emerging playwrights.
The series has been a launchpad for notable works that ultimately received full stage productions, both at the Playhouse and elsewhere. The opening weekend’s readings include those of Mat Smart’s “A Black-Billed Cuckoo” directed by Shelley Butler, Kirsten Greenidge’s “Matilde: a Fable” directed by Delicia Turner Sonnenberg and Robert Farid Karimi’s “American Dream Casino,” which is earmarked for the Playhouse’s site-specific WOW Festival.
These readings are held in the Playhouse’s Rao and Pa Makineni Play Development Center and Seuss 1 rehearsal spaces. Details at lajollaplayhouse.org/dna-2024/.
Standup comedy
What’s so funny, you ask? A show at the Belly Up in Solana Beach, where on Sunday night Patton Oswalt headlines a comedy lineup that also includes Pete Holmes, Chad & JT, Erica Rhodes, Maronzio Vance and Mark Serritella.
Oswalt’s humor is often political, so with the Nov. 5 election still fresh, he should have a few things to say in its wake. What you might not know about Oswalt, unless you’re a devoted fan, is that he’s also a comic-book writer. He’s the creator of the “Minor Threats” series along with television writer Jordan Blum. Details at bellyup.com.
Film
If you’re looking for an escape from all the relatives after Thanksgiving dinner, how about a taste of Hitchcock? Media Arts Center San Diego’s Digital Gym Cinema is screening filmmaker Mark Cousins’ 2023 documentary “My Name is Alfred Hitchcock” Friday through next Thursday.
This fascinating film finds a fictional Alfred Hitchcock (voiced impressively by Alistair McGowan), taking us “on a guided tour of my movies,” with clips and insights and some surprises too. We’ll never know if Hitch himself would have spoken these exact words, but it’s delicious to contemplate the possibility.As long as we’re on Hitchcock, my favorite filmmaker of all time, here are my top five movies from his lengthy and stellar canon: 1. “North by Northwest.” 2. “Rear Window.” 3. “The Birds.” 4. “To Catch A Thief.” 5. “Vertigo.” Honorable mention: “Notorious,” “Psycho,” “Strangers on a Train.” Highly underrated: “Marnie.”
For tickets, visit digitalgym.org.
UCTV
University of California Television (http://www.uctv.tv) invites you to enjoy this special selection of programs from throughout the University of California. Descriptions courtesy of and text written by UCTV staff:
“Fabulous Fleischer Cartoons Restored”
Celebrate the legacy of Max Fleischer, a pioneering animator, film director, and producer who brought to life iconic characters like Betty Boop, Popeye the Sailor and Koko the Clown. A contemporary of Walt Disney, Fleischer revolutionized animation with groundbreaking techniques that continue to influence the industry. Though his contributions have often been overshadowed by Disney, Fleischer’s work remains a cornerstone of early American animation. In this program, Rockin Pins CEO Mauricio Alvarado and animation historian Ray Pointer discuss efforts to restore Fleischer’s cartoons for a new generation of fans. Discover how these timeless classics are being preserved to honor Fleischer’s enduring impact on the art of animation.
“Brain Health, Neuroplasticity and Aging”
What’s the secret to ing a sharp mind at any age? In this program, Dr. Nancy Isenberg discusses the latest science-based practices to promote brain health and resiliency as we age. You’ll explore key topics like neuroplasticity and strategies for maintaining cognitive function throughout life. With insights grounded in cutting-edge research, you’ll gain practical tips to enhance your mental clarity and well-being. From lifestyle adjustments to the science of brain adaptability, this program offers actionable steps to help you a healthy and vibrant mind at every stage of life.
“Pragmatism: Defining America’s Philosophy”
What is pragmatism, and why does it matter? In this program, Aaron Zimmerman, professor and chair of the Philosophy Department at UC Santa Barbara, explores this uniquely American way of thinking. Pragmatism, a philosophy focused on the practical effects of ideas and actions, is both a guide for daily life and a way to understand our world. Zimmerman explains how early thinkers like Alexander Bain, Charles Sanders Peirce and William James shaped pragmatism, and how John Dewey and John Rawls later applied it to the challenges of their time. Learn how pragmatism connects natural rights with real-world challenges, making it a philosophy that still resonates today.
And finally, top weekend events
The best things to do Thanksgiving weekend in San Diego.
