Arts briefs

Stories from 'the middle of the night'

Tuscon author Dan Stolar will release a collection of short stories called "The Middle of the Night" (Picador USA, $23 hardcover) in June.

Stolar was raised a reform Jew and six of the eight stories deal with issues of Jewish culture and heritage, to some degree.

In the collection, says Stolar, there are a number of Passover seders, a couple of intermarriages, a marriage under a chuppah and the traditional chair dancing afterward, kvetching aunts, and several grandparents escaping life in the old country. Stories include "Jack Landers is My Friend," "Home in New Hampshire," "Second Son," "Crossing Over," "Marriage Lessons," "The Trip Home," "Fundamentals" and "Mourning." Stolar teaches composition and creative writing at the University of Arizona.

Kol Chadash holds coffee house

Kol Chadash, the musical voice of The Jess Schwartz Community High School, is holding its second Coffee House 7:30 p.m. Monday, May 19, in the Temple Chai Mollen Hall, 4645 E. Marilyn Road, Phoenix. The evening will include songs, dramatic scenes and dessert. Donations will be accepted. Call 602-971-1234.

Jewish life essay contest

Interfaithfamily.com is holding an essay contest for children and adults, called "We're Interfaith Families ... Connecting to Jewish Life." Grand prize is $1,000. For entry information, visit www.interfaithfamily.com/contest.

'Music Past, Present'

The Jewish Cultural Endowment Fund presents "Jewish Composers - Music Past & Present" at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 18, at the Sedona Creative Life Center, 333 Schnebly Hill Road, Sedona. The performance is a chamber music concert for flute and piano. Tickets are $10. Call (928) 282-1124.

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