Yearly Archives: 2005

Concerts

5th Annual Rosenshine-Bernstein Memorial Concert

Congregation Mishkan Tefila, Chestnut Hill, MA
hosts the
5th Annual Rosenshine-Bernstein Memorial Concert
7pm
Sunday May 22, 2005

Featured are 4 cantors in a varied program including liturgical, Broadway, and operatic selections. The artists are
Aryeh Finklestein – cantor at Congregation Mishkan Tefila;Meir Finkelstein – his brother, cantor at Toronto’s Beth Tsedec Congregation, and well known cantorial composer;Ida Rae Cahana – Senior cantor at Central Synagogue, New York City;Robbie Solomon – formerly cantor at Ohabei Shalom in Brookline and incoming cantor at Temple Isaiah in Lexington, composer and founding member of SAFAM;
Eugenia Gerstein – accompanist
with a special guest appearance by Dick Rosenberg

Admission is $30 at the door.
Congregation Mishkan Tefila is at 300 Hammond Pond Parkway in
(next to the Chestnut Hill Mall)

Classical or Jewish art music, Concerts, WHERE: Canada

TORONTO JEWISH FOLK CHOIR GIVES 79TH SPRING CONCERT

SUNDAY, JUNE 5, with the TORONTO MANDOLIN ORCHESTRA
The Toronto Jewish Folk Choir marks the 60 anniversary of the end of World War II and the liberation of the Nazi death camps in its 79th annual spring concert, Sunday, June 5, 7 p.m. at the Leah Posluns Theatre, 4588 Bathurst St. (parking available). Alexander Veprinsky conducts, with Lina Zemelman on piano, and the
Toronto Mandolin Orchestra as guest artists. Tickets, $22, $18 seniors and
students, are available at the door, or in advance from Jewish bookstores or by
calling 416-593-0750. Children under 12 are admitted free; group rates are
available on request. Information may also be obtained via www.winchevskycentre.org
(click on Institutions) or by e-mailing tjfolkchoir@sympatico.ca.

Concerts

Brave Old World to present “Lodz Ghetto” music at Folksbiene

Brave Old World to present “Lodz Ghetto” music at Folksbiene, in NYC, May 11-15
The Brave Old World program on the Lodz Ghetto music being released on CD, is now appearing in NYC!
Brave Old World will be presented by the Folksbiene Theatre in New York this May 11-15. The program called “Song of the Lodz Ghetto,” which has just been released as a new Winter and Winter cd called “Dus gezang fin Geto Lodzh.”

From the Folksbiene’s announcement on their website, folksbiene.org/!musical-events.html:

The New York premiere of the innovative klezmer group’s moving, theatrical musical program blending Yiddish tradition, classical music, jazz, and rare Jewish street and cabaret songs from the Nazi ghetto of Lodz, Poland between 1940 and 1944. (At the Triad Theater, on West.…
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Concerts

Lori Cahan-Simon at Legacy Village in Cleveland

In Cleveland this Sunday, MAY 15, at Legacy Village,at Cedar and Richmond, The Workmen’s Circle Klezmer Orchestra, featuring singer/folklorist Lori Cahan-Simon, will be performing at Legacy Village this Sunday, May 15 at 2pm in a free outdoor concert of klez and Yiddish Theater standards. Come and have fun with the largest Klezmer Orchestra in the world!

You can hear clips from Lori’s CDs at:
http://www.cdbaby.com/lcahan
http://www.cdbaby.com/nosband

Classical or Jewish art music, Concerts, WHERE: USA_NY

THREE’s A CROWD!! (TRIOS GALORE !!!)

DOWNTOWN CHAMBER TRIO
Reiko Kawabata, violin; William Blount, clarinet
Daniel Barrett, cello;
Mimi Stern-Wolfe, piano
Bruce Lazarus: Divertimento (commissioned by Downtown Chamber Trio)
Yuri Bortz: Trio for Now and Then for violin, clarinet, piano
Darius Milhaud: Suite for clarinette, violin, piano
Michael Cohen: Monday Morning Piano Trio (premiere)
Peter Schickele: Serenade for Three

SUNDAY MAY 22 @ 3:00 PM
ST. MARKS in the BOWERY (10th St. & Second Av), New York City
Suggested Donation: $10-15; (Seniors, Students $8)
Information: (212) 477 1594; dmpmimi@msn.com
DOWNTOWN MUSIC PRODUCTIONS
MIMI STERN-WOLFE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Concerts

Mincha Maariv Sefira

May 15 7:30pm
Bialystoker Synagogue
7-11 Willet Street Lower East Side. NYC.
Cantor Yitzchok Helfgot, Cantor Moshe Stern, Cantor Moshe Haschel, Maestro Matthew Lazar and Choir.
$36 General Admission. For reservations call 718-851-3226
or see www.cantorsworld.com for more information.

Concerts

Sarah and Hagar opera in New York

Sarah and Hagar
based on the story from the book of Genesis. First act of a new opera by composer Gerald Cohen & Librettist Charles Kondek. Performed in concert version and featuring Elizabeth Shammash, Ilana
Davidson and Robert Gardner in the roles of Sarah, Hagar, and
Abraham, and a chamber ensemble and chorus conducted by Michael
Adelson.
Two Performances:
Sunday, May 22 at 3:00 p.m.
Temple Shaaray Tefila
250 East 79th New York City (Corner 2nd Ave.)
Contact the Cantor’s office at the temple (212) 535-8008.
www.shaaraytefilanyc.org
$10 admission

Tuesday, May 24 at 8:00 p.m.
Shaarei Tikvah Congregation
46 Fox Meadow Road, Scarsdale
Contact 914-472-2013 x 11
www.shaareitikvah.org
$25 admission, $15/seniors, $5/students

Concerts

Mandy Patinkin for Folksbiene

Jun 16. At Carnegie Hall, 7:30pm.
Mandy Patinkin sings “Mamaloshen”
A benefit for the future of Yiddish Theatre in America

This historic and exciting gala will bring together the diverse community of supporters who share in a love of Yiddish culture and a desire to ensure its continued dynamic presence in our lives. The concert will also feature appearances by the all-star female Klezmer ensemble Mikveh, the internationally acclaimed clarinet virtuoso David Krakauer, the fabulous New Yiddish Chorale directed by Zalmen Mlotek, soloists Cantor Jack Mendelson, and Cantor Rebecca Garfein and a Grand Chorus of New York and New Jersey school children who will join Mandy Patinkin on the stage of Carnegie Hall to sing in Yiddish and to have an experience they will remember for the rest of their lives.…
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Dance

Machaya, Rockville, MD

Machaya, Rockville, MD, May 22
An exciting evening of dance and music as the Machaya Klezmer Band entertains with the beauty of Klezmer music. Dance instructor Jay McCrensky will teach basic and advanced simcha dancing, couple dancing, Hassidic dancing, shers,jocs, and terkishes.

Sunday, May 22 7 – 9 pm, $8 mem./$10 general public/$5 children under 12 years. Reservations not necessary.

Jewish Community Center of Greater Washington
6125 Montrose Rd.
Rockville, MD 20852.

For more information,
301-348-3840
Web: www.jccgw.org

Lectures

“Between Wissenschaft and Etnografiia” for ASJM in NYC

James Loeffler, “Between Wissenschaft and Etnografiia”, NYC, May 13

American Society for Jewish Music
Center for Jewish History 15 West 16th Street New York, NY 10011
May 13
James Loeffler, Columbia University, “Between Wissenschaft and Etnografiia: The Search for a Jewish Musical Science in Eurasia, Past and Present”
Guest chair and respondent: Dr. Ludmila Sholokhova, YIVO Institute for Jewish Research

All sessions will take place on Friday mornings, beginning at 10:00 AM at the Center for Jewish History. Please RSVP via e-mail to the American Society for Jewish Music or call 212-294-8328. For additional information, please see www.jewishmusic-asjm.org.

Concerts

Art Bailey’s Orkestra Popilar

Art Bailey’s Orkestra Popilar, on Friday, May 6, 9:30-10pm, will be at Freddy’s Bar & Backroom, 485 Dean St. @ 6th Ave. Brooklyn, NY 11217 (718) 622-7035. www.freddysbackroom.com Art Bailey’s Orkestra Popilar is a quartet consisting of accordion, violin(Yaeko Miranda), mandolin (Brandon Seabrook) and bass (Nick Cudahy) that explores music made by Eastern European Jews in the early 20th century.

Concerts

Tubapalooza Part Deux!

Philly’s Klezmer Princess, Susan Watts, will be playing a set with her Fabulous Shpielkehs @ 9pm. @ 11pm New York’s Klezmer Prince, Frank London, hits the stage with Who’s Yo’ Crawdaddy? Come hear these two giants of trumpet.

TUBAPALOOZA Part Deux!
Saturday, May 7th 2005 9pm – very late!@ Zebulon
258 Wythe Avenue (betwixed Metropolitan Ave. and N. 3rd)
Brooklyn, NY 11211 (Williamsburg)
L train to the Bedford Stop
A FREE night of nothing but great TUBA bands!
4 bands 4 FREE!
http://roncaswell.com

9pm – Susan Watts and the Fabulous Shpielkehs Susan Watts, mighty trumpet princess of Philadelphia’s
klezmer Dynasty, House of Hoffman.
http://susanwattsonline.com

10pm – the Knobs!
Polished and turned on!
http://theknobs.us
11pm – Who’s Yo’ Crawdaddy?
Daddy’s got some gumbo for you!
http://whosyourcrawdaddy.com

12am – Slavic Soul Party
Brash and strong as slivovitz, Slavic Soul Party!…
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Classical or Jewish art music, FILM, WHERE: USA_NY

Screening at Museum of Television and Radio

The Museum of Television and Radio
cordially invites you to a private screening of
Regina Resnik Presents
The American Jewish Composers in Classical Song

Regina Resnik, Narrator
Roslyn Jhunever Barak, Soprano
Michael Philip Davis, Tenor
Charles Robert Stephens, Baritone
Vlad Iftinca, Piano
Thursday, May 12, 2005 at 6 p.m.
25 West 52nd Street
New York City
This concert was videotaped before an invited audience on January 19, 2005 at the Elebash Recital Hall, CUNY Graduate Center. The program includes four world premieres, including a work by composer John Corigliano and librettist William M. Hoffman, written especially for the program, two American premieres and a New York premiere.
RSVP Michael Philip Davis at
mickeypd@earthlink.net
or (212) 769-4083

Concerts

TubaPalooza!

Tubapalooza is on the way. This time it’s on a Saturday night and not a Friday night so those that observe shabbos can come down and enjoy! Now I’ll be playing tuba all night long with four very different bands. About 6 hours of tuba playing to be exact…. the Queen of Philadelphia’s Klezmer is coming to play Tubapalooza. Yep. Susan Watts and the Fabulous Shpielkehs will be playing Tubapalooza part Deux! Susan’s vocal stylings and trumpet virtuosity are a fierce combination! So grab your honey and put this date in your book. Here is ALL of the info:

Ron Caswell’s TUBAPALOOZA
Saturday, May 7th 2005 9pm – very late!@ Zebulon
258 Wythe Avenue (betwixed Metropolitan Ave. and N. 3rd)
Brooklyn, NY 11211 (Williamsburg)
L train to the Bedford Stop
A FREE night of nothing but great TUBA bands!…
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Uncategorized

KlezCalifornia Resources Page

The folks at KlezCalifornia have put up an excellent resources guide for people “available in the San Francisco Bay Area for performances, lectures, workshops, and classes on various aspects of Eastern European Yiddish culture: klezmer music, Yiddish language, Eastern European Jewish history, Ashkenazi influences on American Jewish life, Yiddish theatre, paper-cutting, and other folk arts.”

http://www.klezcalifornia.org/local_resources.html

Way cool guide.

Cantorial

A Cantorial Concert in Ocala, Florida

Temple Beth Shalom of Ocala presents A Cantorial Concert to be held Sunday, May 15, 2005 at 4:00 PM at the Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 NE Silver Springs Boulevard, Ocala. The concert is a unique opportunity to hear wonderful Jewish melodies sung by a diverse and exciting group of Cantors and Soloists.

You will hear an afternoon of Jewish song, featuring Temple Beth Shalom’s Rabbi/Cantor Samuel Dov Berman, his brother Steve Berman who sings in the Master Chorale of LA and some of Tampa Bay area’s finest voices. You will be delighted to hear some familiar Broadway favorites as well as Jewish cultural and sacred selections.

General admission is $18.00 for adults, $15.00 for seniors and youth. Preferred
seating for benefactors who become patrons, sponsors or donors is also available.…
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Concerts

Z’vi

Wednesday, April 13, 8 p.m. At the Center for Jewish History, 15 West
16th Street, New York City. ‘Avant-premiere’ of Z’vi, an opera-in-progress by Richard Teitelbaum. It is based on the true story of Shabbetai Z’vi, a 17th-century rabbi in the Ottoman Empire who was widely hailed throughout Europe and the Middle East as the Messiah. After adopting Islam in addition to Judaism, he went on to develop a syncretic faith and practice incorporating elements of both religions. The opera explores issues of cross-cultural engagement, tolerance, dialog, and understanding. Performers include: Cantor Jacob Ben-Zion Mendelson (tenor), Omar Faruk Tekbilek (ney,
voice, zurna, percussion), David Krakauer (clarinet, bass clarinet),
Richard Teitelbaum (sampling keyboard) and others. More information is available at (917)606-8200 (phone).

Classical or Jewish art music, Concerts, WHERE: USA_NewEngland

Harold Shapero Honored by Lydian String Quartet and friends

Friday, April 29, 2005, 8:00 P.M.
The Center for Arts in Natick, MA, invites you to join the Lydian String
Quartet, Edwin Barker, double bass, and Marvin Wolfthal, piano, as they
honor composer Harold Shapero on his 85th birthday. The evening will
feature his Serenade in D for String Quintet, String Quartet, and String
Trio. Harold Shapero was a founding member of the Brandeis University music
department in 1951. He was director of the electronic music studio and
taught at Brandeis for 37 years. A birthday reception will follow the performance. Tickets are $25. Those connected to Brandeis get a discount when ordering tickets: (508) 647-0097. Visiting the Nartick Arts website:
www.natickarts.org The Center for Arts in Natick is located at 14 Summer St.

Classical or Jewish art music, Concerts, WHERE: USA_NY

American Society for Jewish Music Concert

American Society for Jewish Music
American Jewish Historical Society

Present
Contemporary American Composers

Works by
Bruce Adolphe
Victoria Bond
Tzipora Jochsberger
Steven L. Rosenhaus
Faye Ellen Silverman
Judith Lang Zaimont

In cooperation with the Mannes College of Music

April 10, 2005
12:30 PM
Center for Jewish History
15 West 16th Street, New York City
Concert to be preceded by a continental breakfast at 11:45 AM
For tickets call (917) 606-8200

CD Releases, Concerts, WHERE: USA_California

The Klezmatics with Joshua Nelson

Yiddishkayt Los Angeles & Spaceland Productions
present
The Klezmatics with Joshua Nelson
Monday, April 4 at 8:00 PM (doors open at 7:00 PM)
Barnsdall Gallery Theatre
4800 Hollywood Blvd. (between Vermont and Edgemont)
Hollywood, CA 90027
General Admission: $25

Only in America could Jewish slaves in Egypt inspire White
Southern Christians who in turn stirred Black Christians to sing
about emancipation who in turn inspired an African-American
Jewish gospel singer named Joshua Nelson.

The Klezmatics, known for their unique blend of
melodic mysticism and improvisational activism, have once again
turned their music inside out, exposing the complexity of
Jewish identity, Black identity, and human identity.
Brother Moses Smote the Water, their March 2005
release on Piranha Musik (distributed by Harmonia Mundi),
teams them with Nelson and jazz singer/organist Kathryn
Farmer.…
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Lectures, Sephardic, Ladino or Mizrachi, WHERE: USA_NY

The Jewish Music Forum and The Center for Jewish History Lecture

The Jewish Music Forum and The Center for Jewish History
are pleased to present

Professor Mark Kligman
(Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion)

Friday, April 8, 10 AM
Center for Jewish History
15 West 16th Street

“Beyond Yiddishland: New Studies from the Jewish Musical Mediterranean”

The music of Sephardi Jewish communities is a diverse and complex
cultural phenomenon. Spanning the Mediterranean from the Western
Sephardic communities of Spain and Portugal to North Africa, the Ottoman
Empire and the Levant, the Sephardi world encompasses a vast geographic,
cultural and linguistic space. This presentation will offer a broad
overview of the development of academic scholarship on Western and
Middle Eastern Sephardi musical traditions. Using extensive audio
examples, Professor Kligman will demonstrate the stylistic and cultural
diversity across Mediterranean Jewish communities, past and present.…
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Articles

European Association for Jewish Culture Online

Review of the performances of new compositions commissioned by the
European Association for Jewish Culture are in the latest edition of their Review bulletin available in pdf format. It includes ‘Destination Unknown’ by Adam Heidemann in Krakow, ‘Stenclmusic’ by Rachel Stott in London, ‘Alphabet Music’ by Giovanni Mancuso in Venice and others, as well as reports of new drama and films. A 16-page illustrated Review is available at:
http://www.jewishcultureineurope.org/newsletter.htm

Concerts

Art Bailey’s Orkestra Popilar in NY

Art Bailey’s Orkestra Popilar is a quartet consisting of accordion, violin(Yaeko Miranda), mandolin (Brandon Seabrook) and bass (Nick Cudahy) that explores music made by Eastern European Jews in the early 20th century. The next concert will be Tuesday, April 26th from 7:30 – 9:30pm. Drawing inspiration and material from a variety of early recorded sources, the quartet focuses especially on the repertoire and performances of Belf’s Romanian Orchestra and Romanian born cymbolm master Joseph Moskowitz. Call or check the website for upcoming spring dates. The admission fee is $5. Delicious desserts and coffee will also be available. ACI is a short
five-minute walk from the 30th Avenue stop on the N or W line. Walk west on 30th Avenue (towards Athens Square Park) for about 4 blocks, then turn right on Crescent.…
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Holiday

Golem at Brooklyn Purim Carnival

Brooklyn Jews Presents A Purim Carnival
@ the Brooklyn Lyceum
Sunday, March 27th
3pm-7pm
227 4th Ave, Park Slope, Brooklyn, NY 11215
Phone: 1-866-gowanus
R to Union Street
Corner of President Street
Golem scheduled to hit at 4:30pm…

Workshops

Klezmer Workshop with Jeff Warschauer!

Free Open House Tuesday, March 15, 2005 from 7-9 PM
5-week session – Tuesdays – 3/22, 3/29, 4/5, 4/12, 4/19
Members $115; per session $25
Non-members $140; per session $30
Hands-On Workshop
– Study with an internationally recognized master instructor Jeff Warshauer
– Learn tunes from the diverse klezmer tradition
– Work in ensembles with other instrumentalists
– Develop tools for improvisation
– Guest instructors from the cutting edge of the contemporary klezmer scene
– Open to players of any instrument who play and read music at least an intermediate level.
The open house and all sessions will take place at the Workmen’s Circle, 45
East 33rd Street (between Park and Madison), Manhattan.
For more information contact:
Lisa Stein
New York Regional Director
Workmen’s Circle
45 E.

Classical or Jewish art music, Concerts, WHERE: USA_NY

Israeli Cellist At Carnegie’s Weill Recital Hall

Israeli cellist Benjamin Shapira returns to NY to celebrate his new CD “Romantic Music for Cello”. He will be performing an all-romantic program at Carnegie’s Weill Recital Hall on April 30th, 8:30 pm.

Shapira’s international career was launched after his celebrated Carnegie’s Weill Recital Hall performance of the Complete Bach Suites for Cello Solo. This CD features selections from Mendelssohn, Schumann, Saint-Saens and and Dvorak. He performs with his mother, pianist Shulamith Shapira, a graduate of the State Conservatory of Music in Bucharest under the supervision of legendary teacher Florica Musicescu. More information about the concert at:
http://www.taltalproductions.com/about_the_concert.htm For ticket information call (888)43-CELLO or CarnegieCharge at (212)247-7800.
CD’s available at selected Tower Records and on the web at:
amazon.com,
towerrecords.com,
cdbaby.com and
taltalproductions.com …
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Theater, WHERE: USA_NY, Yiddish or Folk

ON SECOND AVENUE at Folksbiene Yiddish Theatre

The Folksbiene Yiddish Theatre in NYC,
with Zalmen Mlotek, Artistic Director,
presents an excellent show in Yiddish and English
definitely worth seeing
whether you know Yiddish or not:

ON SECOND AVENUE
The cast of 7 includes Broadway star
MIKE BURSTYN
and, off her recent starring role in the wonderful new film,
Pripetshik Sings Yiddish!,
REYNA SCHAECHTER
Performances run only till April 10th
and tickets are going fast, so order yours ASAP

For tickets: Folksbiene, 45 East 33 St, NYC, 212-213-2120
www.folksbiene.org
Performances @ the JCC in Manhattan, 334 Amsterdam Ave @ W 76 St

Musicals

MARILYN SOKOL in Me and My Fanny

MARILYN SOKOL in Me and My Fanny
From Marilyn Sokol, the Emmy, Obie, and Bistro Award-Winning Actress/Singer/Comedienne who brought you the smash hit Guilt Without Sex comes Me and My Fanny, a jubilant tribute to Fanny Brice – the late, great Star of Stage, Screen, Radio, and TV, the original funny girl about whom the Broadway musical was written. Sokol performs seldom-sung Brice – musical gems from Burlesque and Vaudeville to The Ziegfeld Follies and Film – and poignantly reinvents familiar favorites. Fun ensues as Marilyn intertwines little-known Brice stories with her own personal anecdotes. Her distinctive voice and hilarious delivery, combined with a book written by Sokol and Scott Margolin, and Musical Direction by MAC Award-Winner Ian Herman make Me and My Fanny a joyful celebration.…
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Clubs, Concerts, Klezmer, WHERE: USA_NewEngland, Yiddish or Folk

Di bostoner klezmer Plus Kaplan and Rushefsky

–Boston–
Shed those winter blues at a lively concert on the first day of spring, Sunday, March 20, 2:30 P.M. at the intimate concert space at the Zeitgeist Gallery, 1353 Cambridge St. in Inman Square, Cambridge, MA (617-876-6060)

In a double bill of dynamic klezmer music and Yiddish song, two
up-and-coming groups will present material from their new CDs.
Di bostoner klezmer is the dynamic trio which plays rarely-heard and newly composed music, including a suite for melodica written by Brian Bender. Their accordionist, Christina Crowder is a former member of the world-famous di naye kapelye. Hankus (Klezmer Conservatory Band) Netsky says the group “breathes new life into traditional, old-country klezmer!”

The acclaimed duo Kaplan and Rushefsky bring to life rarely heard gems of traditional and original Yiddish song accompanied by the tsimbl and balaban.…
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Festivals, Klezmer, Sephardic, Ladino or Mizrachi, WHERE: USA_California

20th Annual Jewish Music Festival Berkeley California

March 19- April 3, 2005
The largest festival of Jewish music in the US celebrates its landmark
anniversary in Berkeley, San Francisco and Marin. Highlights include
members of Israel’s East West Ensemble with the Omar Faruk Tekbilek
Ensemble, Theodore Bikel with Hankus Netsky, the Klezmatics with Joshua Nelson, Community Music Day with an Instrument Petting Zoo, Hebrew hip-hop, and workshops for all ages; Judith Cohen, a leading scholar of Sephardic music, and Emil Zrihan, an extraordinary Israeli counter-tenor and cantor of the Moroccan tradition in a sneak preview of a new work with America’s leading, San Francisco based new music string quartet.
Tickets and Info: 415-276-1511 or www.brjcc.org
15% discount for groups of 10 and more.
A project of the Berkeley Richmond Jewish Community Center…
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Archive & Library News, CD Releases

Jewish Music Available through Smithsonian Folkways

Smithsonian Folkways music available for download online… The complete catalog of Jewish recordings on the Folkways label, seems to be available through:
http://www.folkways.si.edu/search/SearchResults.aspx?BrowseBy=genre&Param=Judaica

The site allows you to listen to small excerpts of most
tracks, and to order the material on cassette or cd. These samples will allow people to know what they may wish to purchase and get a taste for the sound of the music… also to see “what’s in the catalog” in the way of Jewish music

Uncategorized

EPYC: Educational Program on Yiddish Culture

Internet Librarian reports: A companion tool for an educational package that “aims to familiarize the student with the Yiddish Ashkenazi culture that flourished in East Europe in the last 500 years.” Explore Eastern European Jewish history, occupations, youth culture, politics,food, Yiddish language and culture, music, and religious life, through portraits, maps, musical recordings, blueprints, essays, and slide shows. Visit Eastern European locations such as Odessa, Lublin, and Warsaw. From the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research. http://epyc.yivo.org/home.php

CD Releases

Hodu: Jewish Rhythms from Baghdad to India

�Hodu,� in Hebrew, means both �India� and �Praise God!�–an appropriate double entendre for a community that thrived in the most benevolent of diasporas. This compilation of songs for Shabbat and holidays features a blend of ancient texts, authentic melodies and contemporary rhythms. Hebrew texts and English translations included.

The cost of the CD is $15 plus $4 shipping, available through Ms. Musleah’s website, www.rahelsjewishindia.com, or by calling 516-
829-2358.
.

CD Releases, WHERE: Israel, Women

Oh, Lovely Parrot! – Jewish Women’s Songs from Kerala

A New CD was released by The Jewish Music Research Centre in Jerusalem on the music of the Jewish women of Cochin, India. For centuries, the Jewish women of Cochin have been singing Jewish songs in the Malayalam language of Kerala, their ancient homeland on the tropical southwest coast of India.
Here’s the info to buy it and more descriptions below:
Title: Oh, Lovely Parrot! – Jewish Women’s Songs from Kerala
Editor(s): Barbara C. Johnson
Publisher: The Jewish Music Research Centre, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Place: Jerusalem
First Edition Year: 2004
Language: Malayalam
Tradition: Cochin
Country: India
Category: Folk Songs
Price: NIS 60 / $ 20
for more info….

Classes & Courses

Second Annual Clarinet and Klezmer in Safed, Israel

The Old City of Safed will host an international group of musicians, for the Second Annual Clarinet and Klezmer in the Galilee program of Clarinet Master Classes and Performances, Aug 15-22, 2005. This year’s program will be under the Artistic Directorship of Giora Feidman, Master Klezmer and Classical Clarinetist. The ever-popular Safed Klezmer Festival will follow, from Aug 23-25.
The Program includes a week of Master Classes in Classical and Jazz Clarinet, and in the Klezmer style for all instruments. Classes will take place in historical synagogues and sites in the Old City of Safed. http://www.safedfound.org.il/cont.asp?id=30407
For more information, and to receive a registration form, please contact:
Hanan Bar-Sela at Tel: +972-52-335-2797,or
Michal Beit-Halachmi at Tel: +972-54-443-2234 or
by email at: barsela1@bezeqint.net…
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Concerts

KlezmerShack 10th Anniversary Concerts

The first collection of KlezmerShack 10th Anniversary concerts here in the Boston Area start soon. Here’s the immediate summary:
* Mar 17: Khevre and Divahn at Club Passim, Cambridge
* Sun, Mar 20: di bostoner klezmer and Kaplan-Rushefsky at Zeitgeist, Cambridge, 2pm
* Fri, Apr 1: Charming Hostess, at Center for New Words, Cambridge, 8:30pm
* Sat, Sun, Apr 2-3: On My Grandmother’s Knee, Featuring The National Spiritual Ensemble and A Besere Velt: Yiddish Community Chorus of the Workmen’s Circle, with special guests Hankus Netsky and Adrienne Cooper at the Leventhal-Sidman JCC, Newton, 8pm/2pm
For more information, see the Klezmershack at http://www.klezmershack.com

Classes & Courses

JEWISH MUSIC SCHOOL Amsterdam

The JEWISH MUSIC SCHOOL in Amsterdam is looking for funds, sponsors and other financial sources and/or support.
The Jewish Music School
c/o Muziekschool Amsterdam
Bachstraat 5, Amsterdam-zuid
is the first music school in the Netherlands/Europe, to concentrate uniquely on Jewish musical education and training. The music school offers a wide variety of classes and courses, both practical and/or theoretical. In addition it offers facilities for studying and practicing Jewish music under expert guidance. Besides providing the necessary facilities for our present teaching needs, this location will also enable us to expand and cooperate with other Jewish (cultural) organizations, which will also be able to make use of the premises.
For more information:

Jewish Music School
P.o.b. 15894 ~ 1001 NJ
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
E-mail: school@jewishmusic.nl
Phone/Fax: +31 (0)20 771 58 81…
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Articles

DONA FEST-2005 success in February

Polina Shepherd writes to us about the Dona-Fest just held in Moscow:

February 17-20 The Shalom Theater hosted a gala concert of the first Moscow International Festival-Seminar of Jewish music DONA FEST-2005.

The leading Jewish bands from Russia and the CIS countries, as well as European stars, clarinetist Merlin Shepherd, composer and choir leader Polina Achkinazi-Shepherd and violinist Mark Kovnatsky, took part in the festival.

European Klezmer stars and Russian and CIS leading Jewish bands, folk quartet Askenazim, The Kharkov Klezmer Band, Dona, Klezmasters, Arkady Gendler, Alina Ivakh, Psoi Korolenko, and many others took part in the gala concert. The book “The Yiddishkait Music” book was presented at the concert. The East European Jewish wedding music, Klezmer, was forgotten for a long time. It comes back to Russia today.…
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Festivals

KLEZFEST ST. PETERSBURG 2005

The Center for Jewish Music of the Jewish Community Center of St.
Petersburg is proud to announce “KlezFest St. Petersburg 2005,” an
international seminar on the traditional music of Eastern European
Jewry, to be held June 18-22, 2005 in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Holiday

Hard Rockin’ Hamentashen, KFAR Jewish Arts Center’s Purim

Purim is the Jewish Mardi Gras, where people get decked out in costumes, throw parties and get absolutely smashed. And while you won’t find people flashing for beads on this holiday (Orthodox Girls Gone Wild! Show us your ELBOWS!), traditional celebrations take literally the instruction to celebrate until one can’t tell the difference between Mordechai, the hero of the Purim story, and evil Haman.

Two Jewish rock bands, the Ari Ben Moses Band and The Moshe Skier Band and will be presented at Subterranean, a well-known, three story Wicker Park lounge and music venue.
9pm – 1am Saturday March 26th
Subterranean, 2011 W. North Ave.
$12 in advance (ticketweb.com) $15 at the door
more info at http://www.kfarcenter.com
call 773.550.1543 or email jewishfringe@kfarcenter.com

Choral, Concerts, WHERE: USA_MidWest

The Milwaukee Jewish Community Chorale

Tikkuun V’Tikvah
A Benefit Choral Concert
Sunday, March 6, 2005
2:30-4:30 P.M
Congregation Sinai
8223 N. Port Washington Rd
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53217
Donation: $10.00 General Admission
$8.00 Seniors and Students
$5.00 Children

Featuring: The Milwaukee Jewish Community Chorale
Directed by Enid Bootzin
Cantors, Cantorial Solosits and Children’s Choirs from area synagogues
Tickets available at The Door or
by contacting Donna Neubauer: 414-352-5961

Lectures

Brecht Forum at Westbeth NYC

On Wednesday, Mar. 2, at 7:30pm, the Brecht Forum at Westbeth (451 West St., corner of Bank St.) in Manhattan will be celebrating the 100th birthday of the man who made Brecht & Weill household words in America: Marc Blitzstein, a seminal figure in American music, theatre, and opera, best known for his translation/adaptation of THE THREEPENNY OPERA, as well as his own Broadway operas THE CRADLE WILL ROCK and REGINA, and the unfinished TALES OF MALAMUD and SACCO AND VANZETTI. In January 1936, Blitzstein played his song about a prostitute, “The Nickel Under the Foot” at a party for Brecht, who then suggested that it be expanded to show how under capitalism everyone sells out. That became THE CRADLE WILL ROCK. A tape recording, discovered in the archives only last summer, of Blitzstein playing and singing that song will be played in public for the first time at the symposium.…
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Concerts

Tribeca Hebrew Upcoming Events

Sunday February 27 – Frank London Project (Klezmatics)
Sunday March 13 – Joey Weisenberg Trio
Sunday March 20 – Shtreimel (Montreal Klez)
Sunday April 3 – David Glukh Klezmer Ensemble (Fusion of Klezmer, &
Macedonian Gypsy)
Sunday April 17 – Matt Darriau Band (Kleamatics)
$5 for kids/$15 for adults/$30 for the whole family
Reservations recommended!

Tribeca Hebrew
67 Hudson Street/1 Jay Street
(Enter on Jay Street – between Greenwich St and Hudson St)
New York, NY 10013
212-608-0555

Awards

David Frost Wins GRAMMY for Five Jewish Music CDs

Veteran producer David Frost has won a GRAMMY for Classical Producer of the Year. Frost won the GRAMMY for five CDs he produced for the Milken Archive of American Jewish Music, all of which were released in 2004.
“It’s certainly a great honor,” said Frost at the 47th Annual GRAMMY
Awards in Los Angeles on February 13. “I accept this along with the
Milken Archive, and especially Lowell Milken for creating the Milken
Archive, as well as Neil Levin and Paul Schwendener-and Naxos for
distributing this wonderful and unique recording project.”

The five Milken Archive recordings for which Frost won his GRAMMY are:
* Bruce Adolphe [8.559413]
* Dave Brubeck [8.559414]
* Genesis Suite [8.559442]
* Jewish Operas, Vol. 1 [8.559424]
* Yehudi Wyner [8.559423]

The Wyner CD was also nominated in the category of Best Small Ensemble Performance (with or without Conductor).…
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Lectures

New Jewish Music Forum

The American Society for Jewish Music has launched the New Jewish Music Forum. Speaking in New York at the Center for Jewish History last Friday on Feb. 11 was Edwin Seroussi, Head of the Jewish Music Research Center located at Hebrew University in Jersualem. Seroussi, who spoke on “Studying Jewish Music in Israel: Achievements, Failures and Challenges for the Future,” also has a recently released book called “Popular Music and National Culture in Israel.” Seroussi’s talk centered on both the historic and political as well as artistic influences that shaped the course of Israeli music. Mark Kligman of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion moderated. His respondent at the forum was Professor Stephen Blum, City University of New York. Professor Seroussi is also the Emanuel Alexandre Professor of Musicology at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem.…
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Concerts

Pharoah’s Daughter

Feb. 10, 2005.
Cornelia Street Cafe.
29 Cornelia St. @ W.4th
New York
Mimaamakim event “I and Thou Circus”
6:45 artists in the round, with Nehedar Orchestra, Jake Marmer,
with others – 8:30 full band performance: $15 each set.

Concerts

Sarah Tilevitz and Roman Katz

Feb. 10, 2005, at 6 PM
Kew Gardens Hills branch of Queens Library
72-33 Vleigh Place, Flushing, NY
Queens, NY
(718) 261-6654
Singer Sarah Tilevitz and pianist Roman Katz explore songs in Russian and Yiddish about Jewish partisans in the Russian Resistance of WWII, with lullabies, love songs, laments and patriotic anthems.

Web: www.queens.lib.ny.us

Lectures

Yiddishist Caraid O’Brien, NYC, Feb 9

Wednesday, February 9th, 4:30pm
Congregation Shaare Zedek
212 W. 93 St. (E. of Broadway)
NYC
Further info: (212) 724-6388
Acclaimed Yiddishist CARAID O’BRIEN will appear at the Westside Yiddish Cultural School, located in the basement of Congregation Shaare Zedek. Ms. O’Brien will relate her experiences growing up in an Irish-American family in Boston, her serendipitous discovery of Yiddish, and her career dedicated to the Yiddish language as a Yiddishist, actress and writer (as profiled in the NEW YORK TIMES). This event is free and open to the public. Seating will be on a first-come basis.

Concerts, Sephardic, Ladino or Mizrachi, WHERE: USA_South

Duo 46 at Florida State University

Guitarist Matt Gould and violinist Beth Ilana Schneider, Duo 46 will be part of the annual Festival “7 Days of Opening Nights” at Florida State University Feb. 21-24. Highlights for this concert include the U.S. premieres of Jorge Liderman’s Aires de Sefarad, a work comprised of 46 variations for violina nd guitar based on Sephardic music Spain, and Makam, a work influenced by traditional Turkish music by Karl Korte.
The concert will take place at the Opperman Music Hall at Florida State University, Feb. 23 at 8pm. For information call 850-644-4774 or visit FSU at www.music.fsu.edu. For information about the artists and composers, vist Duo46 www.duo46.com

Awards

Meira Warshauer wins Miriam Gideon Prize from IAWM

Meira Warshauer‘s nice online newsletter announced that she won the Miriam Gideon Prize.
“Yishakeyni” has been honored with 1st Place in the 2004 Miriam Gideon Prize from the International Association for Women in Music. The piece is a setting of the first four verses of “Song of Songs,” the great love song of the Bible. It invites the listener into a realm of human and Divine love which transcends boundaries.
Meira’s newsletter is available at http://www.jamesarts.com/releases/feb05/MW_nws_020504.htm

Klezmer, WHERE: USA_NY, Workshops

workshop with German Goldenshteyn

Thursday, Feb 3, 2005, the Congress for Jewish Culture will sponsor
its monthly Kavhoyz – a Klezmer Dance Workshop with the band: Matt
Temkin on drums, German Goldenshteyn on clarinet, Joey Weissenberg on
guitar.

In Temple Beth Elohim, (Garfield Temple)
274 Garfield Pl. Corner 8th ave. in BROOKLYN.
7:45 PM.
$7.00 includes coffee and cake
take the 2 or 3 trains to Grand Army Plaza.
info: 212-505-8040

Concerts

Havdalah

Havdalah plays this Sunday eve, and every Sunday thereafter @11PM
Artland Bar
609 Grand Street
Between Lorimer and Leonard
L train to Lorimer is best.
Brooklyn, NY(NYC).

CD Releases

Old Country

Steve Newman sent in his CD labeled ‘Old Country’. He’s a British Jewish guy, but living in Manhattan and writing songs for pubs in the Big Apple. Hmm, A bit odd and quirky but some good tunes too. Available on CD Baby.

Concerts

Yiddishe Cup Klezmer Band

“I can’t imagine what they [Yiddishe Cup] are like on stage, but I’m sure
the American Psychiatric Association is watching.” — George Robinson, New
York Jewish Week
Yiddishe Cup Schedule of events:
Feb. 12, Wilbert’s Food & Music, Cleveland 9:30 p.m. www.wilbertsmusic.com

March 24, Park Synagogue, Cleveland Hts., Ohio 7:15 p.m.
Purim. www.parksyn.org
April 2, Butler Institute of Art, Youngstown, Ohio 4:30 p.m. 330-744-7902.
June 26, Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage, Beachwood, Ohio 6 p.m.
www.maltzjewishmuseum.org

July 10, Chamizal National Memorial, El Paso, Texas 7:30 p.m. 915-541-4481.

Concerts

Shabbat Shira 10th Anniversary Concert

Congregation Beth Simchat Torah presents
Broadway Sings The Jews
special guest appearance by Tony Award winning actress Betty Buckley
Tickets: $36.00 – can be purchased @ www.cbst.org or 212-929-9498
February 13th @5:00 PM
Congregation Rodeph Sholom
7 West 83rd Street
A wine and cheese reception will follow the concert. Festive Attire.
Wheelchair accessible.

CD Releases

Charles Davidson music released from Milken

Including a Jazz and Blues Sabbath Service
[8.559436]
This new Milken Archive CD of music by Charles Davidson-one of the most
frequently commissioned composers by synagogues, cantors and Jewish
institutions, as well as by secular choruses across the
country-illustrates the influence and vitality of three enduring aspects
of the Jewish experience: the timeless Sabbath liturgy, the literary
legacy of the “Golden Age” of Spanish Jewry, and the vibrant folklore
tradition of Eastern European Yiddish culture.

Concerts

THE SONS OF SEPHARAD CONCERT

Sunday, Jan. 30, 2005 4:00 PM
One of the most amazing performing groups in Jewish music will be at Temple Emanuel on January 30 for a fund raising concert in support of the Cantors Assembly. The concert is being jointly presented by Temple Emanuel and the New England Region of the Cantors Assembly.

The Sons of Sepharad features leading musicians who started their lives in countries surrounding the Mediterranean, including Turkey, Morocco, Greece, France and Israel. The group was founded by Gerard Edery, who has published a book of Sephardic songs, and recorded 10 CDs of Sephardic music. He is joined by two prominent members of the Cantors Assembly, Alberto Mizrahi and Aaron Bensoussan, who serve congregations in Chicago and Toronto, respectively. The instrumentalists are Rex Benincasa (percussion) who has a career spanning professional orchestral appearances and performing in Broadway pit bands; George Mgrdichian, the leading performer on oud in the US; and Emmanuel Mann (bass) founder of several Israeli performing groups.…
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Books

Nigun Anthology Vol 1

New Book released by Transcon… Nigun Anthology.
*Unique, diverse compilation of wordless Jewish melodies (nigunim) and
liturgical settings
*Features nigunim from folk tradition and contemporary
composers/songwriters
*Includes Notational index by melody line & foreword by ethnomusicologist
Judah Cohen

*Transcending history, language, and society, the nigun – or wordless
Jewish melody – helps unify us in worship or around the Shabbat table.
Nigunim have long served to spark the spirit: 18th century Chasidim sang
nigunim to create a mood of holiness; in today’s liberal Jewish worship
service, the nigun helps shift focus to prayer from the concerns of the
outside world. Now, Transcontinental Music introduces the first
comprehensive anthology of inspiring nigun melodies, available in a
songbook with CD and on CD alone.
Purchase Songbook with CD
ITEM=993265
Purchase CD only:
ITEM=950114 …
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Lectures, Theater, WHERE: Great Britain

‘The Whitechapel Windmill’ and A Seminar on Jewish Boxers of London’s East End

Tuesday 29 March 2005
A Seminar on Jewish Boxers of London’s East End
And excerpts from a brand new opera
‘The Whitechapel Windmill’
by Howard Frederics
The opera deals with the life of the famous Jewish boxer from the East End Jack ‘Kid’ Berg
(born Judah Bergman) covering aspects of his fascinating life. and 2 lectures on the
history of Jewish boxing in Britain.
7.30pm Bloomsbury Theatre, 15 Gordon Square, London WC1
e-mail blooms.theatre@ucl.ac.uk 020 7388 8822
details from Clive Bettington 07941 367 882 c.bettington@jeecs.org.uk
supported by the Kessler Foundation. The Jewish Institute (University College London),
Kingston University
and is part of the International Forum for Yiddish Culture project supported by the
Heritage Lottery Fund.

Classical or Jewish art music, Lectures, WHERE: USA_NY

New Jewish Music Forum

The Jewish Music Forum, a new initiative of the American Society for Jewish
Music, an affiliate of the American Jewish Historical Society at the Center
for Jewish History, is pleased to announce its inaugural academic seminar
series. This ongoing seminar will feature leading scholars presenting new
research findings and theoretical contributions to the academic study of
Jewish music. All events are free and open to the public.

Jewish Music Forum
Spring 2005 Academic Seminar
“The Study of Music in Jewish Life”

January 28
Professor Kay Kaufman Shelemay, G. Gordon Watts Professor of Music at
Harvard University, Inaugural Lecture, “Memory and History in Jewish Music”

February 11
Professor Edwin Seroussi, Emanuel Alexandre Professor of Musicology at the
Hebrew University in Jerusalem, “Studying Jewish Music in Israel:
Achievements, Failures and Challenges for the Future”
Guest chair and respondent: Professor Stephen Blum, City University of New
York

March 11
Professor Judah M.…
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Book and Score Reviews

Bloch, Shoenberg, Bernstein: Assimilating Jewish Music

By David M. Schiller

For Jews, the terms “assimilating” or “assimilation” are charged. Many unpleasant associations arise with thoughts of Jews “assimilating into” or disappearing altogether into, general society; becoming like others. As Jonathan Sarna says in the introduction to his new book, American Judaism,: “Through the years, ‘assimilation’ has become so freighted with different meanings, modifiers, and cultural associations that for analytical purposes it has become virtually meaningless. In some Jewish circles, indeed, the term is regularly employed as an epithet.” But “assimilating” is a term that the dictionary states, also means, “absorbing”, or “to take in and appropriate.” It can mean a “healthy appropriation of new forms and ideas.” In this book, David Schiller bravely makes distinctions with something that “happened in a more or less remote past or that is happening now.” Using the term in the title is not only eyecatching, but essential to his thesis about the nature of Jewish art music.…
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