KlezCalendar

Shirim Klezmer Orchestra, one of the country’s top klezmer orchestras, will bring their traditional Jewish jazz sound to Riverdale as part of the birthday celebration/fundraiser/ dance for Congregation Tehillah, a socially conscious synagogue based in Riverdale that was founded five years ago.

Shirim, based in Boston, is considered to be one of the top klezmer orchestras in the country. Their toe-tapping arrangements of classic klezmer tunes and ingenious takes on classical composers such as Tchaikovsky, Mahler, and Satie have been featured in films, on radio, and at colleges, concert halls, and weddings across the country. Billboard magazine awarded them a critic’s choice and their album Klezmer Nutcracker has become an annual program on National Public Radio.

Many of the musicians that will play at the Tehillah party are also members of Naftule’s Dream, a jazz/klezmer ensemble that has been breaking down the barriers of traditional klezmer music. Combining klezmer with modern classical, freely improvised rock fusion, and fiery improvisation, Naftule’s Dream is "without a doubt the most startlingly original, audacious music I've heard," according to Bill Milkowski of Jazz Times.

Shirim will play two dance/music sets between 9 and 11:30 pm. The concert/fundraiser is open to the public. (Doors open at 8:30 pm) Other events will include a silent auction and a dessert tasting (free with admission). Tickets for the party are $18 each and can be purchased in advance through Congregation Tehillah or at the door. For more information or for tickets visit www.congregationtehillah.org or call (718) 884-4839