Manoukian to speak on Memorial Day
Local Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Socrates Peter Manoukian, of Los Altos Hills, will be speaking on Memorial Day, May 26, at Redwood City’s Union Cemetery to honor America’s fallen. The event begins at 10 a.m.
Judge Manoukian is a Gold Star father whose son, Marine Raider Capt. Matthew Patrick Manoukian, was killed in action, August 10, 2012, as he served in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. For his actions that day, Captain Manoukian was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross.
Judge Manoukian is a graduate of Los Altos High School and his son, Matt, was a graduate of St. Francis High School in Mountain View, where a scholarship now bears his name.
Union Cemetery is located at 316 Woodside Road, Redwood City, just west of El Camino Real. Parking is limited.
After the formal service, which is sponsored by American Legion Post 105 of Redwood City, all are invited to stroll the memorial park and learn more about this Civil War site of remembrance, which is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Commonwealth Club hosts talk with Oliveseed founder
The Commonwealth Club-World Affairs has scheduled a talk with Oliveseed founder Barb Mackraz beginning 7 p.m. June 4 at the Los Altos main library. Mackraz started a small nonprofit in Palo Alto that grew from its first library to a grassroots initiative in rural Kenya and Morocco, transforming thousands of lives. The organization has blossomed to dozens of library and literacy projects in disadvantaged settings, such as a women’s work center with Maasai women earning an income for the first time in their lives and safe water facilities, addressing the greatest daily challenge many families face. With individual stories, especially from youth, Mackraz will discuss how even small changes well placed can make deep, lasting impact.
Free admission; pre-registration is not required. Doors open 6:30 p.m. Seating capacity is limited to 100, so arrive early to ensure a seat. For more information, visit commonwealthclub.org/peninsula-chapter.
Viva la Musica to play Mozart in Los Altos
“Mozart’s Requiem’ is scheduled to be performed in a June 1 concert at Los Altos United Methodist Church, 655 Magdalena Ave.
Viva la Musica choir and orchestra perform under the baton of Shulamit Hoffmann. The quartet of soloists consists of Helene Zindarsian, soprano; Solmaaz Adeli, mezzo-soprano; Corey Head, tenor; and José Mendiola, bass. Hoffmann was formerly choir director at Los Altos United Methodist Church; Mendiola is the current director.
“Mozart’s Requiem” is arguably the most beloved of all choral-orchestral repertoire. In part because of the movie “Amadeus,” the music is recognized beyond classical music circles. The most famous part, the “Lacrymosa,” was featured at this year’s Oscar award ceremony.
The June 1 concert is a preview to a performance that Viva la Musica choir, including some LAUMC choristers, will give at Carnegie Hall on June 22, under Hoffmann’s baton. This is the fourth appearance of the choir at Carnegie.
The Requiem, approximately 50 minutes long, will be performed without intermission. The concert starts at 3 p.m. Admission is free; donations to Viva la Musica are appreciated.
For more information, call (650) 346-5084 or visit vivalamusica.org.
Cellist to raise funds for Myanmar earthquake victims
Cellist Sarah Hong of Los Altos is scheduled to perform works from Russian composers in two chamber music concerts, June 20 in Palo Alto and June 22 in San Francisco.
The concerts have Hong teaming with pianist Makiko Ooka and violinist Fumico Ando performing pieces from Rachmaninoff, Myaskovsky and Arensky.
The first concert, set for 7 p.m. at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Palo Alto, is a benefit for Phos, Hong’s humanitarian project. All donations from the concert will go toward ministry to children in earthquake-affected Myanmar. The second concert is scheduled 4 p.m. June 22 at Old First Church in San Francisco.
Hong and longtime collaborator Ooka have been performing since 2000 as a duo, “Le Due Muse.” Celebrating their 25th anniversary this year, they have performances planned this summer in the United States, Japan and South Korea.
Hong balances a busy career as a soloist, collaborative artist and teacher. In addition to Le Due Muse, she performs with the San Francisco Cello Quartet and Ensemble Ari. She started the Phos Benefit Concert Series in Palo Alto to help support various nonprofit organizations serving children in underdeveloped countries in 2014.
For more information, visit cellistsarahhong.com.
