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PEOPLE & ARTS Monday 19 March 2018
Leonard Bernstein, social

activist, is focus of new exhibit

In this Dec. 1, 2017 file photo, Demi Lovato arrives at Jingle Ball
at The Forum in Inglewood, Calif.
Associated Press
Demi Lovato

celebrates 6 years

sober at show

By MESFIN FEKADU "Six years ago, I was drink-
AP Music Writer ing vodka out of a Sprite
NEW YORK (AP) — Demi Lo- bottle at 9 in the morning,
vato celebrated six years throwing up in the car," Lo- In this Wednesday, March 14, 2018 photo, journalists walk through the Leonard Bernstein exhibit
of sobriety at a concert in vato said. "So, I took a look during a press preview at the National Museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia.
New York with tour mate at my life and I said, 'Some- Associated Press
DJ Khaled, whose powerful thing has to change, I've
words brought the pop star got to get sober.' So, I did." By KRISTEN DE GROOT ation American Jew who war and so conducting the
to tears. "Thank you for being a part PHILADELPHIA (AP) — In inspired social progress on group of 17 players was his
Lovato performed Friday of saving my life. I love you October 1979, Leonard Ber- and off the stage. first confrontation with the
night at the Barclays Cen- guys," she added before nstein received a fan letter "He lived through very tu- weight of the Holocaust,
ter in Brooklyn, telling the performing the song "War- from a high school humani- multuous times: World War Weingram said. The event
audience that March 15 riors." ties teacher. Helen Morgan II, the Holocaust, the Cold had a lifelong impact on
was a proud day for her. Lovato struggled with an wrote to the celebrity com- War and the Vietnam era," him.
DJ Khaled played the role eating disorder, self-mu- poser-conductor-pianist said curator Ivy Weingram. "He cried his eyes out dur-
of preacher, life coach tilation and other issues, in hopes he could share "It was a time of great so- ing the concert and af-
and best friend as he of- entering rehab in 2010. the theme that guided his cial upheaval, all of which ter, he wrote home about
fered words of inspiration, The 25-year-old has spo- compositions — something would challenge the many that experience," she said.
motivation and admiration ken out about her battles she could pass along to her facets of his identity." When he died, he left be-
to Lovato, who has been over the years, detailing students for inspiration. His efforts at breaking down hind an unfinished Holo-
open about her issues with her recovery in the You- "There are far more than racial barriers in casting "On caust opera.
drugs and alcohol. He told Tube documentary "Simply one 'central theme' within the Town," and addressing Visitors can see a photo-
the crowd "this is a special Complicated," which was my body of works," Bern- racial tensions in "West Side graph of him with the small
day" and repeatedly said released last year. stein wrote in reply. "But if Story" are among the stories orchestra, a program from
"happy birthday" to Lovato, Grammy-nominated Ke- I had to choose one, per- told through interactive ex- the concert and a citation
as she began to tear up. hlani, who has also been haps the most significant, it hibits, listening stations and they gave him. A video
"Every time I see you I open about her personal would be our search for a video presentations. Also presentation shows a doc-
say, 'Man, this is a strong struggles, thanked Lovato solution to the 20th century on display are personal umentary interview with
queen,'" he said. "What and said she's honored to crisis of faith." items like Bernstein's piano, members of the orchestra
you've overcome through know the singer. Bernstein's lifelong effort to conducting suit and baton. on how that day affected
trials and tribulations, "As a 22-year-old woman, find that solution through The display runs to Sept. 2. them, including violinist Da-
through dark clouds, you you represent me, you rep- music is on moving, and It's just one of over 2,500 vid Arben, who later spent
found the sunshine, and resent every single women sometimes surprising, dis- events around the world 34 years with the Philadel-
now the sun is shining on in this room and even ev- play at Philadelphia's Na- celebrating the 100th an- phia Orchestra.
you forever." ery single young boy," the tional Museum of Ameri- niversary of his birth. EAST SIDE STORY
"You inspire me," Khaled singer said. "You are 100 can Jewish History in its new A few highlights: Fans of the immortal "West
added. percent yourself, and that exhibit, "Leonard Bernstein: HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR OR- Side Story," the Romeo-
DJ Khaled and R&B singer is so rare in this world and The Power of Music." CHESTRA and-Juliet tale set amid
Kehlani, another tour mate, this industry." Bernstein thrilled millions In May of 1948, 29-year- Manhattan fire escapes
encouraged the crowd Lovato's concert took an- around the world with his old Bernstein was on a Eu- and street gangs in the late
sing "Happy Birthday" to other emotional turn when compositions, his theatri- ropean conducting tour, 1950s, might be surprised to
Lovato in honor of her sixth she performed the song cal works like "West Side and was asked to take a learn the show was initially
year of sobriety. "Father," saying this was the Story" and his over-the-top side trip from Munich to called "East Side Story." It
The crowd then chanted first tour she's been able to conducting style before his conduct a small orchestra was a tale of Jewish and
"Demi!" as she sat down by sing the song. Her biologi- death in 1990 at age 72. of Holocaust survivors liv- Irish Catholic gang rivalry
the piano and dabbed her cal father, who she has de- But the focus here is on a ing in displaced persons' set on the New York City's
eyes with tissues handed to scribed as mean and abu- lesser-known side of Bern- camp. Asthma prevented Lower East Side, on the eve
her by a crew member. sive, died in 2013.q stein: the second-gener- him from serving during the of Passover.q