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August 3, 2006

Weimar Yiddish Summer, Weimar, Germany, Jul 11 - Aug 10

Weimar Yiddish SummerYiddish Summer Weimar 2006: Basarabye!
The Weimar Klezmer Weeks, runs this year from July 11 through August 10 in Weimar, Germany.

Possibly the most romanticized of all the "old worlds" of Yiddish, Bessarabia (part of present-day Moldova) is still mythic in Jewish memory and imagination today. Much of the modern klezmer "sound" as well as many Yiddish dances and songs point back to Bessarabian origins. Devastated by war and politics, the remnants of Bessarabian Yiddish culture survived the 20th century scattered throughout the world. In 2006, Weimar Yiddish Summer (formerly Weimar Klezmer Weeks) will gather together artists and musicians from the USA, Moldova, the Ukraine and elsewhere to conduct a unique, month-long, intensive workshop/festival focusing on Bessarabian Yiddish expressive culture.

As in past years, Weimar Yiddish Summer explores one subject at a time in workshops lasting from 3–7 days. In 2006 our subjects are: Yiddish Language (beginning and intermediate), Learning By Ear, Introduction to Klezmer Music, Yiddish Song, Dance Music for Musicians, Yiddish Dance, and Advanced Klezmer Music (see schedule).

Program director Alan Bern has given Weimar Yiddish Summer 2006 an even stronger emphasis on interculturality: in addition to the regular group of eminent faculty, guests in 2006 include clarinetist German Goldenshteyn (Bessarabia/USA), singer Arkady Gendler (Ukraine), singer/songwriter Efim Chorny (Moldova), dance teacher Nicolae Grinbincea (Moldova), and many others. Michael Alpert and Zev Feldman will lead us through Bessarabian Yiddish history and ethnography as well as Yiddish dance.

As always, daytime classes are complemented by evening programs including public jam sessions in Weimar's cafes, concerts, dances, films, lectures, and more. Participants come from all over Europe, North America, and even Asia, and often form personal and professional relationships that extend far beyond Weimar. Whether for a single workshop or for the entire period, we invite you to join us in 2006 for what promises to be the most exciting and challenging Weimar Yiddish Summer yet!

www.klezmer-wochen-weimar.de

Alicia Svigals and Pete Rushefsky, Somerville, MA, Aug 3

svigals singing Thursday August 3
Alicia Svigals at Johnny D's in Somerville, MA
In a duo with tsimbl player Pete Rushefsky.
www.johnnyds.com

Violinist Alicia Svigals, considered by many to be the world's leading klezmer fiddler, founded Jewish roots band the Klezmatics and her current group, the all-female Mikveh. As a musician and composer, she's worked with Led Zeppelin's Robert Plant and Jimmy Page, the Ben Folds Five, playwrights Tony Kushner (Angels in America) and Eve Ensler (the Vagina Monologues), poet Allen Ginsburg, violinist Itzhak Perlman, the Kronos Quartet, Jewish spiritual singer/songwriter Debbie Friedman, cantor Avraham Fried and many others. She has appeared on David Letterman, MTV, Good Morning America, PBS' Great Performances, and NPR's Prairie Home Companion, Weekend Edition and New Sounds. Her solo album Fidl is the world's first klezmer violin CD. She loves to play weddings and bat/bar mitzvahs and can be reached at her website: www.aliciasvigals.com. "...violin playing with depth and urgency..." L.A. Times

Klingon Klezmer, Philadelphia, PA, Aug 3

Klingon Klezmer
Thursday - 8/3: Morris Arboretum, Philadelphia, 100 Northwestern Ave, 6:30 PM, for more info go to website or call 215-247-577- free!