KlezCalendar

In response to a real shortage of dance leaders on the Klezmer scene, Steve Weintraub, in cooperation with Living Traditions, is offering a quick crash course in Yiddish dance leading. Learn a philosophical and practical approach to getting people up and dancing and having a good time in traditionally grounded manner.

Steve Weintraub is a well known dance master at KlezKamp and other festivals, and has been described as a "Jewish Pied Piper" for his ability to get all sorts of people dancing like they never knew they could.

Steve will share practical techniques for successfully leading various dance figures and styles. This will be a hands-on workshop; participants should be prepared to dance and lead one another. It's suggested that participants bring a bandana or clean handkerchief as well.

The workshop will be held in NYC on Thursday 22 December

>From 5:30 to 9:30
(There will be a half hour dinner break. Please bring your own food; there are a number of delis nearby)

At the Workmen's Circle building
45 East 33rd Street, near Park Avenue
Fee: $40 per person (check or cash)

YOU MUST REGISTER IN ADVANCE
(So that if there are any changes, you can be notified)

Register by or by telephone 708-359-8772

Posted by Ari Davidow at 7:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

KlezMerovitz
Thursday, December 22
Ironwood Stage and Grill
1429 9 ave S. E. Calgary.
The 2nd annual Festival of Lights concert at Calgary's top live music roots/folk venue. (Josh promises lighter, fluffier Matzoh balls this year!!)
Admission: $10
Showtime: 7:30 pm.
Families are welcome.
Call 403-269-3031 or visit the website at www.ironwoodstage.ca for info.

In this joyous celebration of the Channukah Festival of Lights, expect music that pulls at a mix of emotions and will have folks tapping feet and dancing in the aisles. Lead singer Allan Merovitz, formerly of the legendary Flying Bulgar Klezmer Band will add another dimension of his repertoire. He will perform classic Jewish folk tales for the season, and there will be latkes and other traditional Jewish foods to eat.

KlezMerovitz combines the centuries old tradition of Klezmer with some modern western twists. According to Leo Rosten: "Klezmer Music is a style of music that is inherently Jewish in nature. The word Klezmer comes from two Hebrew words, clay and zimmer, meaning vessel of music or song. The idea is that the instrument ie. the violin, clarinet, takes on human characteristics like laughing and crying. With a joyous exuberance or a soulful wailing."

Klezmer musicians were the wandering minstrels of the European Jewish world. KlezMerovitz continues the tradition giving it a distinctly western Canadian flavour.

What people are saying about KlezMerovitz…

"Amazing performance. This is what folk festivals are all about"—Steve Eichler, board member of the Calgary Folk Festival, after KlezMerovitz workshop performance with India's Kawa Brass Band.

"You've got some of the best new klezmer music that I've heard in a long time, and your renditions of the traditional pieces on the album really rock, too. You can be sure that my listeners are going to be hearing a lot of Klezmerovitz. Thanks for the great music—Barry Reisman, host WNWR, AM, Philadelphia, PA

"This CD has much to interest listeners from all backgrounds. … the music transcends linguistic barriers—there is never a dull moment … And the Calgarian band of strings, winds and percussion is versatile and sensitive, providing just what is needed—whether it be a rollicking oompah-pah beat, a jazzy-blues feel, or eloquent heart-rending melodies. …A great klezmer compilation."—Annette Sanger, WholeNote Magazine, Toronto

Posted by Ari Davidow at 7:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Isle of Klezbos

Isle of Klezbos at joe's pub
Thursday, December 22
7:30pm - all ages welcome,
hold the date for this special almost-Hanukah show!
great nightclub at the Public Theater in NYC
tickets $12, buy now:
www.joespub.com/caltool/index.cfm?fuseaction=detail&performanceID=1508
or go to the box office at 425 Lafayette St, just below Astor Place
Info: 212-539-8770
Reservations for dinner: 212-539-8778, doors open from 6pm
Telecharge: www.telecharge.com
212.239.6200

"Since the band's 1998 debut, Isle of Klezbos has brought its freshly-spiced klezmer, Yiddish swing and tango to festivals from Seattle to Vienna. Its Outmusic Award-winning recordings have topped world music charts at home and abroad. Recent Klezbos collaborations have included a Purim jam with Bitch of Bitch & Animal, Groundhog's Day medley with Marga Gomez, and holiday concert with Stonewall Chorale." - GO NYC magazine

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Thurs, Dec 22
JDub, JFJ, & PJA Present:

Vodka Latka: Festival of Rights
Featuring Balkan Beat Box
Special guest DJ Garth Trinidad of Chocolate City on KCRW

Café Du Nord
2170 Market Street, San Francisco
8PM, $12 advance, $15 at the door, 18+
www.cafedunord.com

Posted by Ari Davidow at 8:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)