Food for the Soul:
A Celebration of Yiddish
A week-long showcase of the vitality and richness of contemporary Yiddish culture for audiences of all ages and cultural backgrounds
Oct. 5 - 13, 2002 Venues Include: Skirball Cultural Center, University of Judaism (UJ) and other L.A. Sites
Festival information phone: 323/692-8151
web site: www.yiddishkaytla.org
Tickets at UJ: 310/440-1547
Tickets at Skirball: 323/655-8587
Tickets at Knitting Factory: 323/463-0204
Laughter in Yiddish Songs: Lecture/Concert (In Yiddish)
Singer/songwriter Josh Waletzky will share insights about the next generation and the future of the Yiddish language (mameloshn). He will also discuss "Laughter in Yiddish Song" and perform selections of traditional and contemporary Yiddish music.Oct. 5
7 p.m., LA Yiddish Culture Club
Info: 310/275-8455
General, $4; Members, free
One Foot in America - The Lower East Side: Yiddishkayt Family Festival (kick-off event). Families can experience the New York's Lower East Side circa 1910 with klezmer music, pushcarts, storytelling, dance, games and interactive fun. Families can also visit the Skirball's exhibition about immigration and Ellis Island or brush up on their Yiddish with Yiddish master instructors.
Oct. 6
11 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Skirball
Adults, $8; students & seniors, $6; free for children 12 & younger and Skirball members
New Yiddish Song: Josh Waletzky with Jeff Warschauer and Deborah Strauss Crossing the Shadows, a fresh and innovative exploration of Jewish musical traditions. Celebrated composer/songwriter Josh Waletzky and contemporary klezmer instrumentalists Deborah Strauss and Jeff Warschauer, both of the Klezmer Conservatory Band, come together in an evening of New Yiddish Song. Joined by Adat Ari El Adult Choir, the Milken Community High School Concert Choir and children from Valley Beth Shalom day school.
Oct. 8
8 p.m., Skirball
$15; Skirball members $12
Jonathan Gold (food critic for Gourmet Magazine) facilitates a panel of L.A. Jewish deli owners including Al Langer of Langer's, Art Ginsberg of Art's, and Marvin Saul of Junior's.
Oct. 8
2 p.m., UJ
General, $5; seniors, free
Yiddish-speakers are famous for their humor. Join singer/songwriter Josh Waletzky as he explores "Laughter in Yiddish Song," performing uproarious selections of traditional and contemporary Yiddish music.
Oct. 9
2 p.m., Skirball
General, $5; seniors and Skirball members, free
Acclaimed klezmer musicians Adrienne Cooper, Frank London and Lorin Sklamberg of the Klezmatics cook and sing onstage using kitchen tools as percussion in the show's West Coast premiere.
Oct. 9 & 10
8 p.m., UJ
$18
Documentary filmmaker Yale Strom discusses "L'Chayim, Comrade Stalin, his film about the Jewish Autonomous Region of the former Soviet Union. Joining Storm will be an authority on the region. Hosted by the University of Judaism's Dortort Program for the Arts.
Oct. 10
2 p.m., UJ
General, $3; seniors, freeDocumentary filmmaker Yale Strom presents the L.A. premiere of his film "L'Chayim, Comrade Stalin" about the world's first autonomous Jewish region, Birobidzhan, in the Soviet Union. Co-presented by the the Center for Jewish Culture and Creativity.
Oct. 10
8 p.m., Skirball
$10, Skirball Members $8
One night in 1912, Kranz Kafka went to the theatre and saw a traveling Yiddish troupe that intoxicated him with its unabashed possibilities. This world premiere play couples this true event with wild imaginings of Kafka at death's window.
Opens Oct. 11 for a six week run
8 p.m., Met Theatre
$20
Klezmatics members Frank London and Lorin Sklamberg and pianist Marilyn Lerner celebrate zmiros, the singing of songs at the Sabbath table.
Oct. 11
8 p.m., Adat Ari El Temple
12020 Burbank Blvd. Valley Village
Free, Info: 818/766-9426
With a revolutionary blend of jazz, klezmer and other musical genres, clarinetist David Krakauer thrusts old-age music into the 21st century. Co-produced by the Knitting Factory.
Oct. 11 & 12
7:30 p.m., Knitting Factory
General, $20; students, $15
Yiddish Jazz and Art Songs with Marilyn Lerner and David Wall: Join cantorial soloist Fran Chalin, vegvayzer Susan Lerner and singer Cindy Paley in a specially designed inclusive havdole. Then join vocalist Dave Wall and pianist and fellow Flying Bulgar Klezmer Band member Marilyn Lerner as they present luminously lyrical songs in a cabaret setting.
Oct. 12
7:30 p.m., UJ
$18
Celebrated Yiddish song masters move through centuries of musical territory to bring audiences a feast of music both ancient and radically new. With Stu Brotman, Adrienne Cooper, Marilyn Lerner, Frank London, Lorin Sklamberg, Dave Wall, and others.
Oct. 13
7 p.m., Skirball
$20, Skirball members $15
The nation's largest festival devoted to Yiddish language and culture is presented by Yiddishkayt L.A in association with the University of Judaism and the Skirball Cultural Center. Food for the Soul is produced by Community Arts Resources (CARS).