(Photo by Pedro Greig)
White Bird welcomes Australian contemporary circus company, Circa, with their program HUMANS.
After an absence of five years, White Bird is delighted to present the return of the world-famous Australian contemporary circus company, Circa, with the West Coast premiere of their astonishing new work HUMANS. Since 2004, from its base in Brisbane, Australia, Circa has toured the world—performing in 39 countries to over a million people. As was the case in Portland in 2013, with their White Bird debut, Circa’s movement-based circus works have been greeted with standing ovations, rave reviews and sold-out houses across six continents. Under the direction of circus visionary Yaron Lifschitz, Circa’s HUMANS features an ensemble of 10 exceptional, multi-skilled circus artists whose physicality and artistry are put to the test in Lifschitz’ newest work.
Yaron Lifschitz
An article in the Australian Jewish News says: Lifschitz looks back on his career with lots of pride, as do his Jewish parents who may initially have preferred him to be a doctor.
Circa is at the forefront of the new wave of contemporary Australian circus—pioneering how extreme physicality can create powerful and moving performances. Circa pushes the boundaries of the art form, blurs the lines between movement, dance, theatre and circus, and leads the way with a diverse range of thrilling creations that ‘redraw the limits to which circus can aspire“ (The Age).
Over the course of 70 nail-biting minutes, HUMANS explores the limits of human physicality and perseverance. The stage remains stripped bare as the vulnerability of the artists is left exposed throughout this thrilling work. Seamlessly moving from one breathtaking acrobatic act to the next, HUMANS challenges both the artists and the audience members to answer the questions “what does it mean to be human? How can you express the very essence of this experience with your body, with the group and with the audience? Where are your limits, what extraordinary things can you achieve and how can you find grace in your inevitable defeat?” Lifschitz uses this work to report on what it means to be human. “In our limitations are our possibilities,” he says. It is “precisely because we are human that our physical achievements acquire dignity, meaning and poetry. It is in connection to our vulnerability that our strength finds its true articulation.”
In its glowing review, The Guardian (UK) sums up the power and beauty of HUMANS: “Circa’s brand new production Humans is the five-star favorite: a clear demonstration of the artistry of circus and its potential to draw together multiple theatrical forms. What I adored was its fluid take on humanity and gender roles: women caught men falling backwards; men leapt towards and were caught by men. As the ensemble moved themselves into sculptural, abstract shapes, reaching higher to the ceiling for the denouement, I felt moved by their vulnerable, collective humanity.”
Circa’s Artistic Director Yaron Lifschitz is a graduate of the University of New South Wales, University of Queensland, and National Institute of Dramatic Arts (NIDA), where he was the youngest director ever accepted into its prestigious graduate director’s course. Since graduating, Yaron has directed over 60 productions including large-scale events, opera, theatre, physical theatre, and circus. His work has been seen in 39 countries and across six continents by over one million people and has won numerous awards including six Helpmann awards and the Australia Council Theatre Award. He is currently Artistic Director and CEO of Circa, and was the Creative Director of Festival 2018: the arts and cultural program of the 21st Commonwealth Games. In 2018, Yaron directed four new Circa creations, and a new production of Idomeneo which opened in Lisbon at The Teatro Nacional de São Carlos.
White Bird’s 21st season (2018-19) is supported by the Regional Arts & Culture Council, including support from the City of Portland, Multnomah County and the Arts Education & Access Fund; Work for Art; The James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation, Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, and Oregon Arts Commission.
Portland Jewish Book Celebration – Author Talk: The Book Smugglers by David Fishman
Portland State University, Browsing Lounge (Room 238) Smith Memorial Student Union, 1825 SW Broadway.
Join author, David Fishman, as he brings a gripping and compelling book to life with his recounting of how he came to learn about this story, illustrated by many photographs. Free and open to the community.
This event is sponsored by Congregation Beth Israel, Mittleman Jewish Community Center, Portland State University’s Judaic Studies Program, and Congregation Shaarie Torah.
Fundraising Dinner with Aviv
Join the MJCC for a fundraising dinner at Aviv, Portland’s home to delicious vegan Israeli food. The first dinner seating begins at 5:30 pm and the second seating starts at 80 pm. We are pleased to offer each multi-course dinner with an optional wine-pairing featuring Israeli, kosher, and Oregon-local wines. Aviv is donating a portion of the proceeds of this multi-course dinner to the MJCC.
Tuesday, April 16, 2019
5:30 pm or 8:00 pm
Aviv 1125 SE Division St., Portland
$45 per person. Wine not included.
$85 per person. Wine included.
Sign up in the MJCC lobby or at https://www.oregonjcc.org/about-us/brunch/party-boards
Poker Party with Rob La Forte
Join Rob La Forte at his office for a night of Texas Hold’em, beer, wine, snacks, and fun.
Thursday, May 30, 2019
7:00 pm
Cost: $50/person
Sign up in the MJCC lobby or at https://www.oregonjcc.org/about-us/brunch/party-boards
Spring Monthly Mitzvah Projects
Each month the MJCC and PJA communities will collect items for the monthly mitzvah. Drop off items in the blue bin in the MJCC lobby. Check the display for how you can participate and donate to these worthy causes.
This project reflects the Jewish commitment to Tikkun Olam (repairing the world), providing opportunities to give back to our community.
Please drop off items in the blue bin in the MJCC Lobby.
June – Fruit for Shavuot for Neighborhood House Food Pantry
The Soul of the Matter ~ Who Are You?
This program will offer coffee and Krispy Kreme donuts to nourish your soul… plus:
Soul Searching: Where’s the Soul & Afterlife in the Bible?
11:30 pm, with Rabbi Ken Brodkin
As Jews, we often hear about the eternal soul and the afterlife. Oddly enough, they don’t seem to be mentioned in the Bible. Join us for an in-depth learning session as we look one layer below the surface of the Bible. Delve into the sources and discover a deeper part of yourself!
Panel Discussion: Who Are You?
12:30 am, with Dr. Rivka Berzow, Dr. Charles Kuttner & Rabbi Chanan Spivak (moderated by Rabbi Brodkin).
Join us for a candid conversation as a rabbi and two health professionals explore the nature of the soul and human spirituality. How do we know if we have a soul? Could this simply be an idea that humans fabricated? If we do have a soul, what does that mean for our real day-to-day lives?
Followed by a full night of learning and Neitz (sunrise) Minyan at 4:45 am!
Gates of Light: A New-Old Approach to Torah and Kabbalah
Jewish mysticism helps us understand the Torah, the world, and ourselves. Delve into the core teachings of the majestic Kabbalistic tradition. Red bracelets aren’t going to do it – dig deep into the texts and into ourselves. Join Rabbi Joshua Rose for a look into the book Sha’arei Orah – Gates of Light.
Monday, September 9
Monday, October 7
Monday, November 4
Monday, December 9
2:30 – 3:25 pm
Free and open to the community.
In partnership with Congregation Shaarie Torah
Gates of Light: A New-Old Approach to Torah and Kabbalah
Jewish mysticism helps us understand the Torah, the world, and ourselves. Delve into the core teachings of the majestic Kabbalistic tradition. Red bracelets aren’t going to do it – dig deep into the texts and into ourselves. Join Rabbi Joshua Rose for a look into the book Sha’arei Orah – Gates of Light.
Monday, September 9
Monday, October 7
Monday, November 4
Monday, December 9
2:30 – 3:25 pm
Free and open to the community.
In partnership with Congregation Shaarie Torah
Gates of Light: A New-Old Approach to Torah and Kabbalah
Jewish mysticism helps us understand the Torah, the world, and ourselves. Delve into the core teachings of the majestic Kabbalistic tradition. Red bracelets aren’t going to do it – dig deep into the texts and into ourselves. Join Rabbi Joshua Rose for a look into the book Sha’arei Orah – Gates of Light.
Monday, September 9
Monday, October 7
Monday, November 4
Monday, December 9
2:30 – 3:25 pm
Free and open to the community.
In partnership with Congregation Shaarie Torah
Gates of Light: A New-Old Approach to Torah and Kabbalah
Jewish mysticism helps us understand the Torah, the world, and ourselves. Delve into the core teachings of the majestic Kabbalistic tradition. Red bracelets aren’t going to do it – dig deep into the texts and into ourselves. Join Rabbi Joshua Rose for a look into the book Sha’arei Orah – Gates of Light.
Monday, September 9
Monday, October 7
Monday, November 4
Monday, December 9
2:30 – 3:25 pm
Free and open to the community.
In partnership with Congregation Shaarie Torah