the KlezmerShack

Have you ever wanted to know what the connection is between Jews and Violins? Well the violinist Paul de Keyser - son of Fanny Waterman of Leeds Piano fame - has tried to tease it out. He has, as a newfound Chassid, some fascinating theories which he will demonstrate to us on Friday lunchtime at SOAS (10 March). Come to room G50 (ground floor main building, Russell Square) at 1.00pm to hear him talk and demonstrate his theories.

This is part of the series of talks JMI Fridays. On Friday 17 March from 1.00pm - 2.00pm Alex Knapp will close the series appropriately with Yigdal. His talk entitled 'The significance of Meier Leon's 'Yigdal' Melody as a link between Jewish and Christian Hymnody in 18th Century London'. (JMI Fridays is presented by JMI with Alex and the Department of Music SOAS). The talks are free and students are encouraged to come and they are also open to the public.

Stepping slightly out of the University on Sunday 19 March, JMI and Jewish Music Central will launch 'The Sephardi Songbook', a new collection of 51 songs by Peters Edition edited by Aron Saltiel and Joshua Horowitz, at the Central Synagogue, 36 Hallam Street with a family workshop in the morning and a reception and concert in the evening where Dr Hilary Pomeroy (UCL) will introduce the book and Monica Acosta will sing some of the beautiful songs. Ring Jewish Music Central (JMC) at 020 7580 1355 for tickets. £15, concessions £12.50 (SOAS Students £7.50)

Monica will be holding a singers workshop on Sunday 2 April at Central 10.30am - 1.00 @ £20 - ring JMC to book.

If you missed the pre-Hanukah Hopkele- then you can catch the Post-Purim Hopkele on Sunday 2 April at Central (36 Hallam Street Tubes Regents Park, Gt Portland Street and Oxford Circus). It's a great Klezmer Keilidh. The renowned Swedish dance leader Leon Blank will be leading Yiddish and Balkan Dances to live music from the FDT Klezmorim led by Ilana Cravitz. It's a great night out. All ages and dancing abilities welcome. Tickets £11, £8 concs. £1 off if bought in advance. Call Ilana on 020 8985 3724. Ask Ilana too about regular Klezmer Classes at SOAS

The following night Monday 20 March is the opening salvo of Klez in the City - an occasional series of great klezmer concerts featuring the best bands from across the world. We welcome an outstanding duo of singer and accordion Schikker wi Lot (Drunk as Lot) from Berlin, highly recommended by Meg Hamilton of She'koyokh for their innovative way of performing Yiddish song. She'koyokh Klezmer Ensemble (born at SOAS and regulars at KlezFest) in their 8 piece glory will also be appearing and we introduce to London, Edinburgh's Moishe's Bagel led by Phil Alexander. A great klezmerpolitan swinging night out in London. (Watch out for the next concerts in this series - on 8 and 16 August featuring some great bands of faculty and students of KlezFest. Book online at www.Ticketweb.co.uk or reserve at The Spitz 020 7392 9032

Booking is now open for Ot Azoy! the Yiddish Crash Course (6-11 August) and KlezFest London (13 - 18 August) see the JMI Website www.jmi.org.uk for details and registration forms. (There is an early booking discount). Special this year we have at Ot Azoy! a representative of the Yiddish Theatre in Bucharest, and Khayele has a great drama idea for the students - and for KlezFest we will be running also a professional strand for professional klezmorim dealing with presentation and professional development. These courses though held off campus, are part of World of Music Summer Schools at SOAS

Ring JMI Tel 020 8909 2445 Fax 020 8909 1030 or see Website www.jmi.org.uk for more information.