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
The Purim story, found in the Scroll (Megila) of Esther, is read aloud at synagogues, where costumed revelers cheer Mordechai and drown out the name of Haman and between the cheers and jeers, a lot of drinking is done. Rarely, however, do Purim celebrations get held at music clubs featuring rock bands.
Hard Rockin’ Hamentashen, KFAR Jewish Arts Center’s Purim celebration, is a change from the norm, then. The alternative Purim party will feature 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.
“Everyone loves Purim and hamentashen- its a fun holiday when everyone celebrates,” says KFAR’s Director, Adam Davis. “Last year our Purim concert featured the Rabbinical School Dropouts, and this year, we’re taking it to another level. The music will be loud, the liquor will be flowing, and there WILL be costumes and hamentashen.”
Hard Rockin’ Hamentashen, named for the traditional pastry shaped like Haman’s three-cornered hat, is the fourth event KFAR has held in Wicker Park. Ironically, Wicker Park has no organized Jewish presence, despite a growing Jewish population, and in some ways, KFAR’s events in the neighborhood fill that void.
“There’s no real Jewish presence in the neighborhood,” comments neighborhood resident Jon Silver, “and KFAR events in Wicker Park always have a bit of an indie-rock edge that fits the spirit of the neighborhood, more so than Starbucks and The Real World, anyways.”
Vital Event Information:
KFAR Jewish Arts Center presents
Hard Rockin’ Hamentashen
featuring The Moshe Skier Band and The Ari Ben Moses Band
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
About the featured acts:
The Moshe Skier Band
A power rock trio performing original Jewish music in a classic rock style. In addition to their searing original songs, the trio covers well known traditional melodies with spare, bluesy arrangements. The rock trio’s razor- sharp edge emanates from guitarist Mendy Appel’s blistering technique, hailed by Yossi Piamenta as “Amazing!” The band is led by bassist Moshe Skier, formerly of Shlock Rock and Kabbalah and rounding out the outfit is Dan Lawitt’s precise percussion. The Moshe Skier Band will rip through your notions of Jewish music and rock you until you can’t tell the difference between Mordechai and Haman.
The Ari Ben Moses Band
Reggae bass lines, Latin beats, Middle Eastern and traditional Jewish scales are punctuated by gritty funk grooves influenced by Carlos Santana, Peter Gabriel and Ishmael Isaacs.