alice Archives - Good News!

Please Re-Register: Inauguration Celebration March 14

Austin Tang — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 13:36:32 +0000

Dear neighbor:

Our Inauguration Celebration is rescheduled for Saturday, March 14, from 5-7pm at Alice Tully Hall.

If you would like to attend on the 14th, please re-register at our new Eventbrite HERE

About the Event: Doors will open at 4pm, and entrance will be first come, first served. The Inauguration ceremony will begin at 5pm. We invite you to arrive early or stay after the ceremony for the Borough Convention and help our office and community stakeholders help set the priorities for Manhattan! Refreshments will be served.

Should we exceed capacity, there will be overflow at the Martin Luther King Jr. Educational Campus auditorium.

Please reach out to events@manhattanbp.nyc.gov if you have any questions or need any special accommodations.

We’re excited to welcome you all on Saturday, March 14!

RSVP HERE

All best regards,

Brad Hoylman-Sigal

Manhattan Borough President

The post Please Re-Register: Inauguration Celebration March 14 appeared first on Good News!.

Alice, Ying & Jake Liu, American Oriental Arts Foundation share their Good News for Peace.

admin — Thu, 23 Aug 2018 16:06:22 +0000

Listen to “Alice Liu, American Oriental Arts Foundation” on Spreaker.

Listen to “Ying Liu, What Does Peace & Love Mean to You” on Spreaker.

Listen to “Jake Liu, What Does Peace & Love Mean to You” on Spreaker.

Founded in 1999, the American Oriental Arts Foundation (hereinafter referred to as the “Foundation” or “AOAF”) is a cultural, educational and cultural exchange center with headquarters in New York, USA and branches in many countries around the world. 501 (c) (3) Nonprofit Organization organized as a core business by the IRS.
Through its annual support and sponsorship of a series of major events and educational projects, the Foundation promotes the cultural integration of the Chinese community in the United States and the elites from all walks of life in China and endeavors to promote Chinese culture and the arts all over the world. Our annual activities include: the United Nations New Year’s Eve, International Music Festival, the United Nations summit celebration party, “Friendship Bridge” International Arts Festival and so on.
Through its annual sponsorship and sponsorship of a series of large-scale activities and educational programs, the Foundation promotes the cultural blend of the American community and elites from all walks of life in China and promotes the Chinese culture and art to the world. Foundation organized art exhibitions auction, art research, exchange, international academic forum activities. The foundation owns a number of businesses such as commercial planning and planning, public relations planning and execution, artist management, artwork exchange, convention and exhibition management, social welfare financing, culture and finance, film and television production and classical music. It also organizes cultural and art exchange activities both at home and abroad, Organizing organizations, signing venues and performing arts exchange events, organizing international or national activities focusing on education and training, artistic exchange and charity dedication. The Foundation has successfully held a number of large-scale cultural exchanges, cultural exchanges, cultural trade, public fundraising And other activities such as the United Nations New Year’s party, the United Nations summit gala, the “bridge of friendship” International Art Chorus Festival and so on.

Our vision
The Foundation is devoted to the understanding and exchange of culture between China and the United States. It integrates cultural communication, talent promotion and education funds and focuses on the fields of performing arts, music, public welfare, media, education, commerce and film and television, and promotes and promotes various cultural levels China and the United States, cultivate and promote their interest in international music, dance, literature and painting. Through the promotion and production of music, dance and drama, the Foundation fosters and enhances the general public’s interest and appreciation for the arts and builds a bridge of friendship for all ethnic groups in all countries in the world.
It is the purpose of the American Oriental Art Foundation to convey the common voice of peace and peace with the performance of stage art!

#alice #ying #jake #liu #american #oriental #arts #foundation #good #news #peace #cultural #education #chinese #united #states #friendship #bridge #china #funds

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The National Academy of Television, Arts & Sciences, Click Here for Videos & Podcasts…

admin — Fri, 01 Dec 2017 22:17:12 +0000

The Gold & Silver Circles are societies of honor. Television professionals are inducted into the Silver Circle to recognize significant contributions made to the industry and the community for 25 years or more. In addition, the Gold Circle honors individuals who have spent 50 or more years working in television or allied media.

These noteworthy media professionals began their careers in broadcasting either in a performing, creative, technical, administrative, or journalistic role within the industry, or in an area directly related to television such as TV journalism, education, and production.

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Evening in Remembrance of Alice Herz-Sommer on March 20, 2014

admin — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 14:37:54 +0000

Jolana Blau	and	Gregorij H. von Leitis
Member of the Board of Directors of Elysium – between two continents		Founding Artistic Director of Elysium – between two continents

under the auspices of

Martin Dvorák

Consul General of the Czech Republic

cordially invite you to an evening in remembrance of

ALICE HERZ-SOMMER (1903 – 2014)

Pianist

Survivor of Terezin

Honorary Artistic Director of Elysium – between two continents

on Thursday, March 20, 2014 at 7.00 pm

at the Consulate General of the Czech Republic

321 East 73rd Street (between First & Second Avenues)

in New York City

Screening of the film From Hell to Paradise by Michael Teutsch

documenting the life of Alice Herz-Sommer

followed by a reception

Due to limited seating reservations are required

Please R.S.V.P. by March 15

phone: 212-744 4875

e-mail: elysiumbtc@aol.com

or gvl@lahrvonleitisacademy.eu

Alice Herz-Sommer served for many years as advisor and Honorary Artistic Director of Elysium – between two continents. The German daily “Die Welt” called her “an optimist bigger than life.” She wasborn on November 26, 1903 in Prague, then part of the Austro-Hungarian empire. Her mother was an accomplished pianist and a childhood friend of Gustav Mahler. Her parents were close to a number of well-known writers, scientists and musicians. Franz Kafka was a regular guest in their house. Alice’s older sister married Kafka’s best friend, the philosopher Felix Weltsch.

Early on it became clear that Alice, too, was musically very gifted and at sixteen she was the youngest member of the masterclass at Prague’s German Musical Academy. She soon became one of the best-known pianists in the city, and in the early 1930s she gave recitals in Warsaw, Vienna, Brussels; Copenhagen and other European cities.

In 1931 she married Leopold Sommer. In 1937 their son Stephan (later known as Raphael) was born. But little by little her comfortable, bourgeois world began to crumble around her. When the German Army occupied Prague in March of 1939, the persecution of Jewish citizens systematically began. Alice Herz-Sommer was not any more allowed to publicly perform or to give piano lessons to non-Jewish citizens. Then, in 1942 Alice’s mother was deported. Desperately unhappy, she resolved to learn Chopin’s 24 Études – the most technically demanding piano pieces she knew – and the complex but beautiful music saved her sanity.

In 1943, she, too – together with her husband and their six-year-old son – was deported to the concentration camp Theresienstadt. But even there music was her salvation. In the course of more than a hundred concerts she gave her fellow-prisoners strength and hope in a world of hunger, pain and death. At the same time she struggled to create a happy childhood for her beloved only son in the midst of atrocity and barbarism. Of 15,000 children sent to the camp, Stephan was one of the 130 who survived. Alice’s husband, Leopold Sommer, was deported from Theresienstadt to Auschwitz at the end of September 1944. Shortly before the liberation he died in Dachau of typhus.

After the end of World War II, Alice Herz-Sommer and her son Stephan returned to Prague. But the political climate was dominated by repression, fear and distrust. Anti-Semitism still was widespread. Therefore, Alice Herz-Sommer and her son decided to emigrate to Israel in 1947. There, she taught at the Conservatory in Jerusalem for more than 25 years.

In 1986 Alice Herz-Sommer moved to London to be close to her son, who in the meantime had become a well-known cellist, and his family. Suddenly and unexpectedly, Raphael Sommer died in 2001 during a concert tour in Israel. Almost until the very end, Alice Herz-Sommer played the piano every day for a few hours. She passed away on February 23, 2014.

The Munich-based filmmaker Michael Teutsch has documented Alice Herz-Sommer’s life in an impressive film “From Hell to Paradise or Chopin saved me” that has been highly acclaimed at international festivals.

Elysium – between two continents

Artistic dialogue, creative exchange and friendship between the United States of America

and Europe.

Fighting against discrimination, racism and anti-Semitism by means of art.

Since its founding on October 11, 1983, Elysium has presented more than 400 programs

(theater and opera productions, concerts, readings, exhibitions, and lectures) in more than

80 cities worldwide. Over the years, Elysium has established itself as a vital force at the

intersection of American and European cultures.

www.elysiumbtc.org

The Lahr von Leitis Academy & Archive

was founded in 1995 by Michael Lahr and Gregorij H. von Leitis to foster the academic

dialogue between the US and Europe by means of lectures, seminars, workshops and

master classes.

Art and education without borders. Education and knowledge as efficient tools to fight

against ignorance, discrimination and hatred.

Familiarizing the young generation with the treasures of exiled art, to help them create a

meaningful future that incorporates the lessons learned from history.

www.lahrvonleitisacademy.eu

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Oldest Holocaust Survivor And Pianist Passed Away Yesterday In London

admin — Mon, 24 Feb 2014 17:43:11 +0000

We mourn the passing of our

Honorary Artistic Director

Alice Herz-Sommer (1903 – 2014)

Yesterday morning, Sunday, February 23, Alice Herz-Sommer died in London at the age of 110. We mourn the passing of our beloved Honorary Artistic Director. She was an extraordinary human being, a true mensch!

For two years, Alice Herz-Sommer was imprisoned in the ghetto and concentration camp Theresienstadt. She had to endure the terror of the Nazi Regime and personally lived through the horror of the Holocaust. But despite all these dreadful experiences she remained a steadfast optimist to the very end. Her love for her fellow human beings and for life in general was a source of inspiration for everyone who met her. Yet, she was not out of touch with reality. She always pointed out: “I know there is bad in the world, but I look for the good.” Her constant search for the good sparked the good in everyone else around her. She was a bright light and a shining example of humanity.

Without Alice Herz-Sommer, the world will be poorer.

We at Elysium – between two continents and The Lahr von Leitis Academy & Archive feel very glad and privileged to have known her. For many years, Alice Herz-Sommer was a wonderful Honorary Artistic Director. She always was interested in what we were doing and curious to know how our educational programs were received, especially by the younger generation.

In our hearts and minds Alice Herz-Sommer will continue to live!

-Gregorij H. von Leitis

Alice Herz was born on the 26th of November 1903 in Prague. As a young girl she met the composer Gustav Mahler, and Uncle Franz (the author Franz Kafka) was a family friend. Early on her talent as a pianist was discovered, and already at age 20 she gave public recitals.

In 1931 she married Leopold Sommer. Six years later their son Stephan (Raphael) was born. In 1943, the young family was deported from occupied Prague to the ghetto and concentration camp Theresienstadt.

The Nazis used Theresienstadt for propaganda purposes. To the outside world it was presented as a “model ghetto.” For that reason they allowed the presentation of concerts, operas and theater performances inside the camp. These artistic programs were presented by the so-called “Freizeitgestaltung” (Leisure Organization). In Theresienstadt, Alice Herz-Sommer gave about 100 concerts. Music saved her life – as she later would frequently say. Shortly before the end of the war Alice’s husband died of typhoid fever. But she and her son survived.

In 1947, the two emigrated to Palestine. In the newly created state of Israel, Alice became a founding member of the Academy in Jerusalem and taught at the Jerusalem conservatory. In 1986 she moved to London to be close to her son Raphael – by now a famous cellist – and his family. She took residence in a small studio apartment in Belsize Park, played the piano every day and recieved visitors from around the world, in particular young students who were doing research on Franz Kafka.

On February 23, Alice Herz-Sommer peacefully passed away, surrounded by her family.

“I know there is bad in the world, but I look for the good.”

“Wherever you look, there is beauty everywhere.”

– Alice Herz-Sommer

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