WHAT: Theodore Bikel: The First 85 Years!
WHO: Confirmed performers include: Theodore Bikel, Alan Alda, Arlo Guthrie, Noel
Paul Stookey, Peter Yarrow, Tom Paxton, The Klezmatics, Judy Kaye, Susan
Werner, David Amram, Beyond the Pale, Artie Butler, Patricia Conolly, David
Krakauer, Hankus Netsky, Sarah Horowitz, Serendipity 4 (Theodore Bikel,
Tamara Brooks, Merima Ključo and Shura Lipovsky), and Michael Wex.
WHEN:
7:30pm Monday, June 15, 2009
WHERE:
Carnegie Hall, Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage, 57th Street and Seventh
Avenue, New York City
TICKETS:
Tickets range from $30 to $500.
Carnegie Hall Box Office – www.carnegiehall.org
THE KLEZMATICS JOIN STAR-STUDDED LINEUP FOR
THEODORE BIKEL BIRTHDAY CONCERT
AT CARNEGIE HALL ON JUNE 15TH
Alan Alda, Arlo Guthrie, Noel Paul Stookey, Peter Yarrow, Tom Paxton
Among Special Guests at June 15th concert to benefit Juvenile Law Center
New York (June 11, 2009) – The Klezmatics, the Grammy Award-winning world
music superstars, have joined the star-studded lineup for Theodore Bikel:
The First 85 Years, a special concert celebrating the career of
world-renowned actor, singer and activist Theodore Bikel.
“Theodore Bikel: The First 85 Years” will benefit the Juvenile Law Center (
dedicated to protecting the rights and well-being of children in the child
welfare and juvenile justice systems.
Bikel will be joined by Alan Alda, Arlo Guthrie, Tom Paxton, Noel Paul
Stookey, Peter Yarrow, David Amram, Beyond the Pale, Artie Butler, Patricia
Conolly, Judy Kaye, David Krakauer, Sarah Horowitz, Hankus Netsky,
Serendipity 4 (Theodore Bike, Tamara Brooks, Merima Ključo and Shura
Lipovsky), Susan Werner, and Michael Wex.
The Klezmatics, the only klezmer band to win a Grammy Award, emerged out of
the vibrant cultural scene of New York City’s East Village in 1986 with
klezmer steeped in Eastern European Jewish tradition and spirituality, while
incorporating contemporary themes such as human rights and
anti-fundamentalism and eclectic musical influences
The special concert will salute Bikel, who made his Carnegie Hall debut in
1956 and went on to forge an extraordinary career as a musician, actor and
activist. His stage and screen credits include such classic films as The
African Queen and The Defiant Ones and the 1959 Broadway premiere of The
Sound of Music, in which he originated the role of Captain Von Trapp. He has
performed the role of Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof more than 2,000 times and
is currently starring in a national tour of Sholom Aleichem: Laughter
through Tears.
A leading light in the early folk music scene, Bikel co-founded the Newport
Folk Festival in 1959 and has been a powerful advocate for peace, human
rights, and social justice for more than five decades – from the civil
rights movements in the United States to apartheid in South Africa to
promoting peace and religious pluralism among Israel and its neighbors.
“Throughout my life I have been equally passionate about music and social
justice, and have allied myself with others whose use guitars, banjos,
fiddles and words to conquer fear and injustice,” said Bikel. “I can think
of no better way to celebrate that life than a night of music with some of
my nearest and dearest friends, and no more deserving cause than protecting
the rights of our nation’s most vulnerable children.”
All proceeds from the concert will go to Juvenile Law Center, which works to
protect children’s rights and interests in the child welfare and juvenile
justice systems. Juvenile Law Center, which provides legal services at no
cost to its clients, is currently heading litigation in the Luzerne County,
Pennsylvania judges scandal, a court corruption case that has made
international news as one of the most egregious violations of children’s
rights in U.S. legal history. The organization’s work on the case was
recently covered by
20/20, the <http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/28/us/28judges.html?_r=1> New
York Times, and People magazine.
Honorary committee co-chairs for the event include Barbara Cook, Frank
Langella, Pete Seeger, John C. Whitehead, and Elie Wiesel.
“Theodore Bikel was at the forefront of the social justice movement that led
to the creation of organizations like Juvenile Law Center, and we’re awed
and honored that he chose to turn his 85th birthday celebration into an
incredible gift for us,” said Robert Schwartz, Executive Director of
Juvenile Law Center. “Theo is not only helping to promote the rights of
people around the world, but also providing a true inspiration the
vulnerable children who seek justice and protection.”
Tickets range from $30 to $500. A pre concert VIP reception for performers
to mingle with sponsors, major donors, and box seat ticket holders will be
held in the Rohatyn Room at Carnegie Hall.