Wow. What a a lineup of artists… Wish I was there! Soooo!! you WestCoasters will have a great time…because you can be there… if you’re anywhere near San Francisco, you will not want to miss this incredible group of artists. –JMWC

http://www.jewishmusicfestival.org/

The 22nd Jewish Music Festival is almost here. It’s being held around the San Francisco Bay Area

This year’s Festival will be held from March 8-25 and feature concerts throughout the Bay Area. Performers include Aires de Sefarad; Michael Alpert; Peter Apfelbaum; Avi Avital; Steven Bernstein; Dan Cantrell; Kitka; Klezmer Buenos Aires; Pharaoh’s Daughter and more!

OPENING NIGHT of The Jewish Music Festival San Francisco Bay Area

Musical Fortunes: New music based on Jewish and Romani (”Gypsy”) Routes.
A premiere of new music based on a history of rich collaboration; a tradition mined by Oakland composer/performer Dan Cantrell with Kitka Women’s Vocal Ensemble, Michael Alpert, Rumen Shopov, Dusan Ristic and dancers Rachel Brice and Elizabeth Strong.
First Congregational Church of Berkeley
2345 Channing Way, Berkeley
Thursday, March 8, 7:30 pm
Co-sponsored by the Creative Work Fund, The East Bay Community Foundation – Fund for Artists, The MAP Fund – a project of Creative Capital, and Leonard Kurz, in memory of Ursula Sherman

Klezmer Buenos Aires/Lerner Moguilevsky Duo:
Surrender yourself to the ecstatic joy of this virtuosic duo, coming direct from Argentina with their stellar blend of klezmer, Argentinean folk music, tango and jazz improvisation. Their lightning transitions between flutes, clarinet, harmonica, accordion, piano and percussion leave audiences clamoring for more.
Thrust Stage / Berkeley Repertory Theatre
2025 Addison St., Berkeley
Saturday, March 10, 8:00 pm
Produced in association with La Peña Cultural Center of Berkeley

Tales From Terezin: A Musical Journey.
In memory of Sylvie Braitman
Violinist Randall Weiss and The Bridge Players present music originally performed at Terezín concentration camp. Congregation Sha’ar Zahav, 290 Dolores Street (at 16th), San Francisco, Sunday, March 11, 4:00 pm
To order tickets: 415.861.6932 × 310
or email programs@shaarzahav.org
Co-sponsored by Congregation Sha’ar Zahav

Ensemble Lucidarium:
“Pure energy on period instruments” – one of Italy’s premier early music ensembles makes their Bay area debut with “La Istoria de Purim,” a program devoted to the music and poetry of the Jews in Renaissance Italy that has delighted audiences and critics from Paris to Budapest. This ensemble of eight won an award in 2004 from the European Association for Jewish Culture for the CD production of this richly-nuanced, rarely heard repertoire.
First Congregational Church of Berkeley
2345 Channing Way, Berkeley
Thursday, March 15, 7:30 pm

The Symbolic Power of Jewish Music:
A conversation with vanguard musicians of John Zorn’s Tzadik Radical Jewish Culture CD label, including Ben Goldberg, John Schott, Basya Schechter, and Steve Bernstein, and others. Moderated by Myra Melford, UC Berkeley
The Jazzschool
2087 Addison Street, Berkeley
Saturday, March 17, 2:00pm
Produced in association with The Jazzschool in Berkeley

Pharaoh’s Daughter:
Blending psychedelic sensibility and pan-Mediterranean sensuality, Basya Schechter leads her band through Hasidic chants and Mizrachi and Sephardi folk-rock, with spiritual styling filtered through percussion, flute, strings and electronica.
Thrust Stage / Berkeley Repertory Theatre
2025 Addison St., Berkeley
Saturday, March 17, 8:00 pm

Steven Bernstein with Peter Apfelbaum and Friends presents Diaspora Blues:
From Berkeley, these now New York-based cutting edge composer/ performers are stretching the definition of Jewish music. Diaspora Blues is based on the work of legendary cantor Moshe Koussevitsky, and was originally recorded in 2002 with the Sam Rivers Trio. This is the West Coast premiere.
Thrust Stage / Berkeley Repertory Theatre
2025 Addison St., Berkeley
Sunday, March 18, 7:30 pm

Poetry Slam on the Theme of Diaspora:
For rules and complete information, please visit:
www.berkeleypoetryslam.com. The three finalists will have the opportunity to showcase at Community Music Day for additional monetary prizes. Details to follow on the Community Music Day event page
Starry Plough Pub
3101 Shattuck Ave.
at Prince Street, Berkeley
Wednesday, March 21, 8:30 pm
Tickets are first-come, first-serve, at venue only

Noa:
Israel’s leading international concert and recording artist dazzles audiences with songs inspired by Yemenite roots infused with jazz, classical and rock have created a unique sound, not to be missed.
JCCSF
3200 California St. (at Presidio), SF
Wednesday, March 21, 8:00 pm
Call 415-276-1511 for tickets.
Co-sponsored with the Eugene & Elinor Friend Center for the Arts, Jewish Community Center of San Francisco

Avi Avital:
This young Israeli mandolin master will showcase contemporary Israeli composers; he recently won first prize in the international competition for plucked strings “Città di Voghera” (Italy); and has played solo with the Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra, the Chamber Orchestra of Milano and others.
JCCEB
1414 Walnut St., Berkeley
Thursday, March 22, 2:00 pm
Produced in association with the Consulate of Israel

Aires de Sefarad with Jorge Liderman:
Born in Argentina, trained in Israel and the US, this now-Berkeley based composer brings a highly original twist to Sephardic music. The music will be performed by Duo46. The concert will open with the mandolin master, Avi Avital.
Congregatin Beth El
1301 Oxford St., Berkeley
Thursday, March 22, 2007. 8:00 pm
Produced in association with Congregation Beth El in Berkeley

Community Music Day:
Poetry Slam Finals, interactive workshops, children’s concert, Instrument Petting Zoo, and performances throughout the day showcasing high quality local artists. Guaranteed to bring out your inner musician.
JCCEB
1414 Walnut St., Berkeley
Sunday, March, 25, 11-5 pm
Produced in association with Freight and Salvage Coffee House. Co-sponsored by Taube Foundation for Jewish Life and Culture (JCEF) and the Anisman/Sherman Family and Julie Sherman

See http://www.jewishmusicfestival.org/ for all the details.