‘NEW’ NIGUN — After what it terms a “too long hiatus,” The Nigun Orchestra is back with a new name, the ‘Nu’ Nigun Orchestra. Its next gig with new featured singer Rabbi Simcha Morgenstern will take place March 8 at the Torah Learning Center. Joining Rabbi Morgenstern are Steve Max on clarinet, Leslie and Jerry Pollock playing piano and drums, Rick Huyett on bass and Mel Prezant, the trumpeter who also serves as the orchestra’s director. The Purim party will begin with Megillah reading at 5 p.m. followed by the celebration at 5:30 p.m. Cost for the event is $20 for adults and $10 for children (11 and under) or $60 per family. To register call 913-890-3811 or visit purimshtetl.eventbrite.com.
LITERARY TEENS — Two Jewish teens — Shawnee Mission East junior Rachel Franklin and University of Kansas freshman Blaire Ginsburg — are among those featured in the latest edition of elementia, the Johnson County Library’s teen literary magazine. Rachel, a member of The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah and the daughter of Renee and Phil Franklin, has been published several times in the magazine. She wrote two free verse poems that are published in this issue — “The Parasite Lives and Grows” and “The Difference Between Simile and Self-Medication.” Blaire is the daughter of Byron and Gerri Lyn Ginsburg. This is the second time she’s been published in elementia. She also has two poems published in this issue, “Story of the Stone” and “Who We Are” She is a member of Congregation Beth Shalom and active in KU Hillel. Eight issues of elementia have been published since the fall 2005. Those ages 12-20 are eligible to submit original prose, poetry and illustrations for elementia. Content of the first eight issues is available at www.jocoteenscene.org/elementia. For more information about elementia, or programs for teens call (913) 826-4600.
MAKE SOMEONE HAPPY — “The Songs of Comden and Green” opens this weekend and runs through April 1 at Quality Hill Playhouse. Particularly known for their comedic skills, Betty Comden (born Elizabeth Cohen) and Adolph Green (the son of Hungarian-Jewish immigrants) wrote lively songs, librettos and screenplays that were praised by critics as “bright, gay, witty and engaging” (The New York Post) and “extraordinarily inventive” (The New York Times). Director and arranger J. Kent Barnhart has brought together Lauren Braton, Molly Hammer and Cary Mock to bring to life the humor, energy and joy of the best songs from the duo’s six-decade long partnership, including “Just In Time,” “One Hundred Easy Ways,” “I Can Cook Too,” “New York, New York (It’s a Helluva Town),” the revue’s title song “Make Someone Happy” and more. For ticket information, contact 816-421-1700 or visit www.QualityHillPlayhouse.com.
JEWISH APPS — I was reading a story in the Jewish Week (www.thejewishweek.com) about the top Jewish applications of 2011 (Feb. 23, 2012) and I learned there is an entire website geared toward Jewish apps, www.jewishiphonecommunity.org. According to the website, it was founded in 2010 with the goal of making it easy to find Jewish mobile applications. The Jewish iPhone Community was established to create a virtual community of those that use mobile devices with any kind of Jewish applications. Jews of all affiliations — religious or secular, Orthodox or Reform or Chassid — who are looking for a friendly e-community built around traditional Jewish values will find something here. You can visit the Jewish iPhone Community to discover the latest and best iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android and BlackBerry Jewish apps available today. The site will also feature product reviews, troubleshooting help, updates and links to new apps, along with the latest media and technological news. The website tells you what apps are out there in such categories as art, audio, Chassidut, food, games, Hebrew, holidays, Kabbalah, library (Jewish themed iBooks), Midrash, made in Israel, organizations, prayers, Talmud, travel and Yiddish … to mention just a few.