The Chosen Arts

Imagine you're a Russian Jew coming to live in America in 1909. Odds are you might wind up in New York City, though there are certainly other places you might logically unpack your bags. Hamilton, Texas, however, is not one of them. But that's just where the protagonist of The Immigrant heads when he hits U.S. shores. Set to a combination of Eastern European, country and Western swing music (how are the Whiskey Folk Ramblers not the house band for this?), the musical presents the tale of the young Jewish chap in a small Baptist town as a feel-good slice of Americana, and you can catch it this Sunday as part of the 12th Annual Jewish Arts Fest of Dallas. Other acts on the docket include the noted and horribly monikered children's band Hot Peas 'N Butter, musician David Ross and historian Hollace Ava Weiner, who's presenting a lecture titled "Deep in the Heart of Texas Jewry." Tickets to the event are $15 ($12 in advance) or $9 ($6 in advance) for children ages 3 to 15. It all kicks off 10 a.m. Sunday at the Meyerson Symphony Center. Call 214-739-2737 or visit jccdallas.org for a full schedule.
Sun., Aug. 17, 10 a.m., 2008