KlezCalendar

We are very excited to be featuring, for the first time ever in the U.S., a internationally recognized dancer/teacher from Germany - originally from Belz, Moldova. We are equally excited to welcome back world-class Klezmer clarinet virtuoso, Margot Leverett.

Presented by Congregation Nahalat Shalom (Inheritance of Peace congregation) - a non-profit, tax-exempt organization in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. This year's featured performers/teachers:

MARGOT LEVERETT, world-renown virtuoso Klezmer clarinetist, saxophonist, and bandleader is one of the foremost of the new generation of klezmer clarinetists. Studied with the famed klezmer clarinetist Sid Beckerman and classically trained at Indiana University School of Music, Margot 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 the Traditional Crossroads label to glowing reviews. Margot tours around the world, performing and teaching traditional and original klezmer music at festivals and workshops. Because of her popularity at last year's event, we are excited to have Margot return to Klezmerquerque this year.

SULIM (SHULIM ZALTMAN), choreographer, dancing master, Born in 1938 in Belz, Moldova and now residing in Fulda, Germany. At the age of nine, Sulim Zaltman was a member of the "Folkstantz"- ensemble of Belz. At 17 he became the leader of the folklore dancing chorus "Bukuria," participating in countless festivals all over the former Soviet Union. Under Mr. Zaltman's leadership, the dancing chorus won many national and international competitions in the field of "Folklore Dancing". Specializing in Moldavian, Ukrainian, Russian, Rumanian, Bulgarian and Jewish dances, Sulim's mastery of Eastern-European folk dances is sought after throughout Europe and the former Soviet Union. He has taught at many festivals in Moscow, Leningrad, Kiev, Odessa and Chishinau. His many decorations, diplomas and medals show the quality of his artistic oeuvre; In 1977 Sulim and his ensemble won the first prize at the "Festival of Folk-Art of Nations". Before he emigrated to Germany in 1997 he spent many years as a choreographer and dancer at the Belz Jewish Theatre, directed by the famous writer Michael Felsenbaum. Since 1997, Sulim has been teaching Jewish folk dances in the Jewish community of Fulda, Germany and at various Jewish festivals throughout Germany. This is Sulim's first visit to the U.S., and he speaks Yiddish, Russian and German fluently. Please come to welcome and honor him - and most of all - dance with him.

Schedule of Events:

Friday, February 18th, 6:30 pm:
Freylekhe Shabbes (Joyous Sabbath) featuring a 'danced' Kabbalat Shabbat service followed by a potluck vegetarian dinner (7:00) and a short concert (7:30) by our featured guest artist Margot Leverett accompanied by ABQ's favorite Klezmer band: The Rebbe's Orkestra, concert segues into dancing led by Sulim Zaltman & Nahalat Shalom's Yiddish dance troupe: Rikud ($10.00- suggested donation).

Saturday, February 19th Events:

10-11am: Yiddish and Eastern European dance class with Sulim Zaltman ($18).
11:15am-12:15pm: Klezmer music class with Margot Leverett ($18).
12:30-1:30pm: Saturday afternoon lunch 'n lecture - presenter TBA ($5-10 donation).
2:00-3:30pm: Music class - Margot ($18) OR Dance class - Sulim ($18) choose one.
7:00pm: Concert/dance party with Margot Leverett accompanied by the 18-plus piece intergenerational Nahalat Shalom Community Klezmer Band and Saturday students. Dances lead by Sulim Zaltman, Rikud and student dancers ($10 - or free for Saturday students).

Sunday, February 20th

12:00-1:30pm: Music class - Margot ($18) OR dance class - Sulim ($18).

Event price: $60 for 2 parties, lunch/presentation, & 4 classes payed BEFORE Friday eve. Feb. 18th.
Individual classes and events can be payed for at time of class/event.
Discounts for students, seniors, and fixed/low income - 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.
World-class ski areas: Santa Fe (1.5 hours); Taos, Angelfire & Red River (2.5-3.5 hours); Sandia Peak (40 mins. ABQ)

All events held at Nahalat Shalom, 3606 Rio Grande Blvd. NW (between Candelaria & Griegos), ABQ, NM 87107

Phone: (505) 343-8227
E-mail Nahalat Shalom
Web: www.nahalatshalom.org --- Klick on "Klezmer"
Event coordinator: Beth Cohen
Ph: (505) 243-6276