Good morning, and welcome to the U-T Arts & Culture Newsletter.

I’m David L. Coddon, and here’s your guide to all things essential in San Diego’s arts and culture this week.

The Filipino word “kagitingan” translates in English to “valor.” That’s fittingly the title of a documentary play by San Diego’s Dr. Jimiliz Valiente-Neighbours about the thousands of Filipino soldiers who died while serving with Americans during World War II.

In a partnership between the Blindspot Collective theater company, Disco Riot dance and the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, the one-act “Kagitingan” will open Friday at the MCA’s downtown location on Kettner Street.

Director Desha Crownover calls the play, which grew from interviews that Valiente-Neighbours did with Filipino veterans between 2012 and 2013, “a fusion of traditional Filipino dance plus some modern movement and theater.”

Five characters in the play are composites of many of the Filipino veterans interviewed, encapsulating their experiences and sacrifices.

“Kagitingan’s” collaborators include choreographer Theresa Maigue-Bendorf, whose sister Francine Maigue had been working on the show before passing away last year. The play is is dedicated to her.

The stories of “Kagitingan,” dramatized in voice and movement, are told, said Crownover, “not only out of respect for the soldiers who gave their lives, their strength and their literal blood for the U.S., but so we don’t repeat the same mistakes.”

“It’s up to all of us to pass on this information and acknowledge these brave veterans.”

Blindspot Collective hopes to activate the MCA Downtown performance space on a recurring basis, Crownover said.

“Kagitingan” will run through Oct. 29. Tickets are $30. Visit blindspotcollective.org/kagitingan.

Classical music

What are believed to have been the final Baroque works composed by Carl Philipp Emanuel (C.P.E.) Bach and Georg Philipp (G.P) Telemannmake up the program of Bach Collegium San Diego’s “Last Blasts!” concerts on Friday and Saturday.

The performance of “Concerto Doppio Wq. 47” by Bach (son of Johann Sebastian) will feature Sylvia Berry on fortepiano and Michael Sponseller on harpsichord. The dramatic cantata by Telemann stars soprano soloist Clara Rottsolk.

Friday’s performance will be at 7 p.m. at All Souls Episcopal Church in Point Loma. Saturday’s 3 p.m. concert will be at Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Cardiff. Visit bachcollegiumsd.org/lastblasts.

Comedy and music

BFFs and longtime collaborators Nikki Glaser and Anya Marina come to town Saturday when standup comic Glaser brings her “Good Girl Tour” to the Balboa Theatre downtown.

The Cincinnati-born Glaser is a favorite of both Comedy Central and podcast fans. Among the latter, her “We Know Nothing” podcast included Marina, who San Diegans know from her singer-songwriter years in San Diego as well as her DJ stint at FM 94.9.

Theirs should be a memorable and lively evening of comedy and music. By the way: welcome back, Anya Marina!

More classical music

Four nights later at the Balboa, on Wednesday, San Diego Opera opens its 2023-’24 season with a concert starring soprano Latonia Moore (pictured) and mezzo-soprano J’Nai Bridges. They’ll be accompanied by the San Diego Symphony orchestra conducted by Bruce Stasyna.

Both Moore and Bridges are familiar to San Diego Opera-goers: Moore made her debut with SDO 10 years ago in “Aida,” Bridges in 2016 in a production of “Madama Butterfly.”

Moore recently opened the Metropolitan Opera season in New York singing the part of Sister Rose in Jake Heggie’s adaptation of the book and film “Dead Man Walking.” Visit sdopera.org.

Television

Whether looking at the camera and speaking directly to the viewer or reciting an entire episode in iambic pentameter or breaking into song, the ‘80s detective series “Moonlighting” was devil-may-care, a series that began as a playful curiosity and ended up lasting four years.

It also benefited from the terrific chemistry between its two stars: Cybill Shepherd as the model-turned-initially reluctant owner of a detective agency and Bruce Willis as the clowning shamus who becomes her partner — and later much more.

I thought this show, missing from Reruns Land, was gone forever, but it’s now streaming on Hulu. I haven’t re-watched an episode yet, so I wonder if “Moonlighting” might seem a little dated, but I’m optimistic. Its production values may look ‘80s, but sparkling chemistry and sly gags never get old.

U-T arts stories you may have missed this past week

UCTV

University of California Television invites you to enjoy this special selection of programs from throughout the University of California. Descriptions courtesy of and text written by UCTV staff:

“’TAR’: Discussion of the Film”

Writer/director Todd Field joins moderator Tyler Morgenstern in a post-screening discussion of the film “TÁR.” Field details the origins and development of the film, including the creation of protagonist Lydia Tár. He elaborates on the public persona she curates in the film and larger thematic questions of exploitation, cultural authority, and the geopolitics of abuse. They also discuss the involvement of non-profit organization Xapiri Ground and their work with the Indigenous people of the Amazon rainforest, as well as photographer David Díaz Gonzales, who created a key image with actress Cate Blanchett for the film.

“Human Rights Defender: A Life in Education and Advocacy with Eva Pacheco”

Eva Pacheco’s journey from a teacher in Mexico to the founder of the EJE Academy in El Cajon encapsulates the power of determination and community support. Facing challenges in the U.S. education system for bilingual learners, especially those with limited resources, Pacheco transformed her personal struggles into a call to action. Determined to champion bilingual education, she established a dual-language charter school that began with 110 students and now serves over 800. Despite hurdles, including laws that marginalized immigrant children and school closures, Pacheco’s unwavering commitment and belief in community engagement shine as a beacon for educators and parents. Her story exemplifies the monumental change one person can instigate with passion and community backing.

“A Recent History of U.S. Foreign Policy with China”

The relationship between the United States and China is the most important, difficult and vital bilateral relationship in the world today. So how does the U.S. make its China policy, and how has it changed over the past two decades? In this discussion, Susan Shirk, professor emeritus at the UC San Diego School of Global Policy and Strategy and founding chair of the 21st Century China Center, talks with Stephen Hadley, former national security advisor to President George W. Bush, about the evolution of U.S.-China relations in recent years. Also joining the discussion is Paul Haenle, who served as the White House China director on the National Security Council staffs of former presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama.

And finally, top weekend events

The best things to do this weekend in San Diego: Oct. 19-22.

Coddon is a freelance writer.