A Southwestern celebration of Klezmer music and dance into the 21st century: featuring a weekend of concerts, dance parties, classes and lectures on the music and dance of the Eastern European Jewish People.

Klezmerquerque announces: “February 20th through February 22nd, 2004
This year’s featured performer/teacher: Margot Leverett (world-renown virtuoso Klezmer clarinetist, saxophonist, and bandleader) is one of the foremost of the new generation of klezmer clarinetists. Classically trained at Indiana University School of Music, she was involved in avant-garde music when she first heard klezmer, the dynamic East European music traditionally played at Jewish weddings. Leverett was a founding member of the Klezmatics in 1985 and Mikveh in 1999. She started her own band “Margot Leverett and the Klezmer Mountain Boys” in 2001. Her solo CD, “The Art of Klezmer Clarinet,” was released in 2001 on Traditional Crossroads (CD4296) to glowing reviews. She tours nationally and has performed and taught traditional and original klezmer music at festivals and workshops around the world.

Presented by Congregation Nahalat Shalom (Inheritance of Peace congregation) in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA

Schedule of Events:

Friday, February 20th, 6:30 pm: Freylekhe Shabbes featuring a ‘danced’ Kabbalat Shabbat service followed by a potluck vegetarian dinner (7:00) and a concert (7:30) by our featured guest artist Margot Leverett followed by dancing to Klezmer music with ABQ’s own hot klezband: ‘The Rebbe’s Orkestra’ with Margot Leverett. Yiddish dances lead by Rikud dance troupe and Rabbi Lynn Gottlieb. ($10.00 – suggested donation).

Saturday, February 21st Events:

10-11:30am: Yiddish dance class and video presentation with Rikud dancers. ($18).

11:45am-12:15pm: Klezmer music class with Margot Leverett ($18).

12:30-1:30pm: Saturday afternoon lunch and lecture presented by Albuquerque Academy teachers Stuart Lipkowitz and Danny Packer. A powerpoint presentation of the culture of East European Jews–life, family, work, community, immigration, etc. ($5-10 donation).

2:00-3:30pm: Music class – Margot ($18) or dance class – Rikud ($18) choose one.

7:00pm: Dance party with Margot Leverett accompanied by the 18-plus piece intergenerational Nahalat Shalom Community Klezmer band and Saturday students. Dances lead by Rikud and student dancers. ($10 – free for Saturday students)

Sunday, February 22nd, 12:00-1:30pm: Music class ($18) or dance class ($18).

Event price: $60 for 2 parties, lunch/presentation, & 4 classes payed BEFORE Friday eve. Feb. 20th. Individual classes and events can be payed for at time of class/event.
Discounts for students, seniors, and fixed/low income – please inquire.

Lodging: Hotels and B&B’s within 1/2 to 2miles – call/e-mail coordinator for info.
Close to Historic Old Town, museums and Rio Grande Nature Center and trails.
Ski areas: Sandia Peak (40 mins. from ABQ), Santa Fe (1.5 hours), Taos, Angelfire & Red River (2.5-3.5 hours)

All events held at: Nahalat Shalom, 3606 Rio Grande Blvd. NW (between Candelaria & Griegos), ABQ, NM
Mailing Address: PO Box 40723, Albuquerque, NM 87196-0723
Phone: (505) 343-8227, WEB: www.nahalatshalom.org
Event coordinator: Beth Cohen, E-mail, Ph: (505) 243-6276