Dear San Diego,

I really wish our fellow humans were more evolved. Ukraine is just the latest violent testament of how far we have to go. The Russian military invasion of Ukraine is a human rights and refugee catastrophe that is worsening by the minute. We stand with the people of Ukraine; people everywhere deserve self-determination and freedom from war and violence.  If you want to help the people of Ukraine, consider donating to one of the following organizations, all of whom are providing direct aid and relief to Ukrainians and Ukrainian refugees:

International Rescue Committee

UNICEF

Doctors Without Borders

UN Refugee Agency

International Committee of the Red Cross

Save the Children

Global Giving

Project Hope

Razom for Ukraine

World Food Programme

Fight for Right

International Organization for Migration

United Ukrainian-American Relief Committee

House of Ukraine (International Cottages, Balboa Park)

If you want to get the most up-to-date information about the situation in Ukraine Straight from Kyiv, check out: The Kyiv Independent.

Please be aware that many Russians are opposed to their country's invasion of Ukraine. Thousands of people all over Russia have been arrested for protesting the war. For more on this, please visit: Thousands of Russians protest President Vladimir V. Putin’s assault on Ukraine. Some chant: ‘No to war'!

*************

Current theatrical offerings in the San Diego area include: The Great Khan at the Lyceum, The Band's Visit (limited engagement) at San Diego Civic Theatre, Abigail's Party at the Tenth Avenue Arts Center, Trouble in Mind at the Old Globe (Shiley Stage), El Borracho at the Old Globe's White Theatre, and, opening on Tuesday, performances for the musical Bhangin' It will begin at La Jolla Playhouse.  Be sure to check our Ongoing and Extended Events section for current art exhibits.

Tonight (Friday), Keltik Kharma (Fred Benedetti and Chris Vitas) will perform at Poway's Templar Hall.  Tonight and tomorrow night Kenneth Branagh's semi-autobiographical film Belfast will screen at Cinema Under the Stars.

Saturday, UCSD's Center for Academic Research & Training in Anthropogeny will hold an online symposium on Human Origins and Humanity's Future. Front Arte & Cultura will hold an opening reception for the 15th Annual Dia De La Mujer Exhibition featuring works by 40 local artists from San Diego, San Ysidro, and Tijuana.

Sunday, the House of India will hold its annual Lawn Program at the International Cottages in Balboa Park. Should be colorful!

Wednesday at the Landmark's Hillcrest Cinemas the Royal Opera House's filmed version of Romeo and Juliet will be screened. Warwick's, in partnership with Mission Viejo Library, will host Jo Piazza as she discusses online her new novel, We Are Not Like Them. The Point Loma Assembly will host a Benefit Concert for Ukraine featuring the wonderful Fred Benedetti on guitar.

Next Thursday we are extremely excited to report that the 10-day San Diego Latino Film Festival will kick off! Can't wait! Warwick's will host Kellye Garrett who will discuss her new book, Like a Sister. Avital Meets Avital at the JAI at the Conrad will feature mandolin player Avi Avital and bassist/oud player Omer Avital and pianist Gadi Lahavi. The San Diego Archaeology Center will present the virtual talk: Forensic Analysis of Moari Transport  which will present structural engineering analysis of how the Maori moved those colossal statues into place. ABBA Mania will return to the Balboa Theatre. Latin Grammy nominee singer-songwriter Gina Chavez will perform at UCSD's Loft.

Next Friday, the annual Cherry Blossom Festival will begin at the Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa Park. Also next Friday, the 11th Annual San Diego Arab Film Festival kicks off with weekend screenings through the 26th. The Colombian singer-songwriter Lido Pimienta will perform at the Casbah. Next Friday and Saturday Being the Ricardos will screen at Cinema Under the Stars.

Next Saturday, the 40th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival and the ShamROCK St. Patrick's Day Music Festival will take place. The exquisite multi-lingual Jazz singer Allison Adams Tucker will present the 14th Annual Brasil Jazz Festa at Dizzy's featuring Allison herself, Peter Sprague, Trip Sprague, Danny Green, Justin Grinell and Julian Canteim.

Next Sunday, the House of Ireland in celebration of St. Patrick's Day will hold its annual Lawn Program with Irish music, dance and food.  Camarada will perform at the Mingle at the Mingei. Attendees will be able to enjoy the museum's exhibits before the concert.

Everyone here at the San Diego Participant Observer and the Worldview Project wish you a fulfilling, illuminating and culturally rich weekend. See you next week!

Your Window to the World

‘Cultural catastrophe’: Ukrainians Fear for Art and Monuments Amid Onslaught War-Hit Families Flee to Safety As 1M Leave Ukraine – in Pictures People of colour fleeing Ukraine attacked by Polish nationalists Weatherwatch: the Japanese Legend of the Wind Weasel More Rights Defenders Murdered in 2021, With 138 Activists Killed Just in Colomb It’s Become a Movement’: Afrobeats’ Steady Path to World Domination Donatello Bronzes Moved in Italy for Groundbreaking Exhibition Chagossian Exiles Celebrate Emotional Return As UK Tries to Justify Control ‘Showing Respect’: Revival of Japanese Technique That Promises Fish a Better Way to Die ‘House of Love’: the Calm, Creative Space Changing Young Lives in Karachi Fear and Dread: Covid-Free for Two Years, Pacific Islands Experience Explosion in Case Numbers ‘For Our Grandchildren’: the Man Recording the Lives of Paraguay’s Vanishing Forest People ‘Our Fates Are United’: Syrians Rally Behind Ukraine After Years of Russian Torment The Student, the Penguin and the King: Elite Thai University Roiled by Dissent Also at Stake in Ukraine: the Future of Two Orthodox Churches ‘We Are on Our Side’: Across Asia, a Mixed Reaction to Ukraine War Gold Ingots From 18th-Century Shipwreck Returned to France

Our recipe of the month is for Bánh Mì Gà Nướng. Some people believe that Bánh mì are the sandwiches to end all sandwiches. We agree! Combining fresh and pickled vegetables with grilled chicken, Bánh mì gà nướng sandwiches make a light, fresh-tasting and very satisfying lunch.

Buy the Music (Paid Link)

Our International Music CD of the Month selection is The Eternal Return by Irfan. Irfan is a group that hails from Bulgaria. They perform instrumental and vocal music that is an electro-acoustic World Fusion influenced by folk and sacred music from Bulgaria, the Balkans, Persia, the Middle East, North Africa, India and Medieval Europe. Note: As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Buy the Book (Paid Link) The Participant Observer Book of the Month selection is The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead. In this Pulitzer Prize-winning follow-up to The Underground Railroad, Colson Whitehead brilliantly dramatizes another strand of American history through the story of two boys unjustly sentenced to a hellish reform school in Jim Crow-era Florida.Note: As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. International Films Around Town NOTE: Covid-19 remains a serious public health problem. Please use utmost caution so that you protect yourself and others. 2022 Oscar Nominated Shorts: Live Action Film 2022 Oscar Nominated Shorts: Animation Belfast A semi-autobiographical film which chronicles the life of a working class family and their young son's childhood during the tumult of the late 1960s in the Northern Ireland capital. Belle A high school student becomes a globally beloved singer after entering a fantastic virtual world. She soon embarks on an emotional and epic quest to uncover the identity of a mysterious beast who's on the run from ruthless vigilantes. Bheemla Nayak Bheemla Nayak is a 2022 Indian Telugu-language action drama film directed by Saagar K Chandra from a screenplay written by Trivikram Srinivas. It a remake of the 2020 Malayalam film Ayyappanum Koshiyum by Sachy Compartment Number 6 A Finnish student and an uncouth miner slowly forge a hesitant connection when they throw together in cramped train quarters on a journey across Russia. Cyrano Cyrano de Bergerac dazzles everyone with his ferocious wordplay and brilliant swordplay. However, he's convinced his appearance renders him unworthy of the affections of the luminous Roxanne, a devoted friend who's in love with someone else. Death on the Nile Belgian sleuth Hercule Poirot's Egyptian vacation aboard a glamorous river steamer turns into a terrifying search for a murderer when a picture-perfect couple's idyllic honeymoon is tragically cut short. Gangubai Kathiawadi Gangubai Kathiawadi is a 2022 Indian Hindi-language biographical crime drama film directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali and produced by Jayantilal Gada and Bhansali Harriet From her escape from slavery through the dangerous missions she led to liberate hundreds of slaves through the Underground Railroad, the story of heroic abolitionist Harriet Tubman is told House of Gucci When Patrizia Reggiani, an outsider from humble beginnings, marries into the Gucci family, her unbridled ambition begins to unravel the family legacy and triggers a reckless spiral of betrayal, decadence, revenge -- and ultimately murder. Jhund Jhund is an Indian Hindi-language biographical sports film based on the life of Vijay Barse, the founder of NGO Slum Soccer. Parallel Mothers Two single women meet in a hospital room where they are both going to give birth. One is middle aged and doesn't regret it, while the other is adolescent and scared. The two women form a strong bond with one another as they both confront motherhood. Sebastian P.C. 524 Sebastian P.C. 524 is an Indian Telugu-language action thriller film written and directed by Balaji Sayyapureddy. The film stars Kiran Abbavaram and Nuveksha in the lead roles. The Worst Person in the World A young woman battles indecisiveness as she traverses the troubled waters of her love life and struggles to find her career path. Uncharted Treasure hunter Victor "Sully" Sullivan recruits street-smart Nathan Drake to help him recover a 500-year-old lost fortune amassed by explorer Ferdinand Magellan. West Side Story Love at first sight strikes when young Tony spots Maria at a high school dance in 1957 New York City. Their burgeoning romance helps to fuel the fire between the warring Jets and Sharks -- two rival gangs vying for control of the streets.

Have you thought of new features that you would like to see in the Participant Observer?  Let us know by writing to us at: tjon@thewvp.org

Important Disclaimer: While as a public service we list political, religious, spiritual, consciousness-raising and commercial events in our calendar, this does not mean that The Participant Observer necessarily endorses or otherwise supports any of the views, sentiments, beliefs or products presented or promoted in such events. We endeavor mightily to ensure that our calendar listings are accurate, but please confirm dates and times of events.

The San Diego Participant Observer is Published by:

www.worldviewproject.org
2445 Morena Blvd. Suite 210
San Diego, CA 92110