It’s a mouthful of a name—which is appropriate for the seventh annual Neustadt JAAMM (Jewish Arts, Authors, Movies and Music) Fest, as it brings a mélange of cultural offerings to the Mile High City for two weeks (October 22 to November 9). In the interest of saving you a bit of time wading through the hefty schedule, I’ve highlighted a few of the top events, all of which will be held at the Robert E. Loup Jewish Community Center. Though the festival is centered around the Jewish tradition and focuses on Jewish speakers and artists, it is by no means a religious event, and anyone is welcome.

Kindertransport. Theater is meant to get people talking, and Diane Samuels’ Kindertransport is sure to do just that. The 1992 play was inspired by the Kindertransport rescue missions set up by the British government to help Jewish children flee Germany and Austria for England—without their families. Recently deceased Denver cultural “titan” Henry Lowenstein, who was part of the Kindertransport program, will be honored at a special preview showing on October 22, and four Kindertransport participants who currently live in Denver will be recognized at a separate performance. Opens October 30, $35

A Celebration of Leonard Bernstein. The Colorado Symphony Orchestra gets in on the action during an evening dedicated to the American composer and pianist. The event also includes a lecture by Nigel Simeone, author of The Leonard Bernstein Letters. Wednesday, October 29, 7 p.m., $36

Michael Chabon. The best-selling author and Pulitzer Prize winner will give a lecture on his latest novel, Telegraph Avenue, followed by a conversation with University of Denver professor Adam Rovner. Sunday, November 2, 6:30 p.m., $18

Fiddler at 50 in Concert. The sun is rising on another Fiddler on the Roof anniversary: its 50th. And the Mizel Arts and Culture Center and Boulder’s Dinner Theatre are celebrating with a concert version of the famous musical. Monday, November 3, 6:30 p.m., $18

Messages and Letters. Contemporary dance troupe Wonderbound and the Confluence String Quartet collaborate for a two-part dance performance. The night starts with a piece inspired by hundreds of love letters discovered at the Theresienstadt concentration camp, followed by a world premiere from Wonderbound artistic director Garrett Ammon. Thursday, November 6, 7 p.m., $36

Tickets and additional information can be found on the JAAMM website.

@daliahsinger.

Daliah Singer
Daliah Singer
Daliah Singer is an award-winning writer and editor based in Denver. You can find more of her work at daliahsinger.com.