David Krakauer at Tonic in NYC

[Mark Melnick <mmelnick...>]

I just returned from a Sunday brunch performance of David Krakauer and Klezmer 
Madness at Tonic on the Lower East Side in NYC.  He and his band (accordion, 
bass and drums) did two sets.  The crowd was typical for afternoon klezmer 
performances in NYC:  about 50% senior citizens and 50% 30- and 40-something 
downtown Manhattan types.  The sets were taken mostly from Krakauer's two CD's, 
with a few extra numbers and a bit of (apparent?) improvisation thrown in.  
Both sets were very well executed.  The music varied between mildly altered 
"traditional" klezmer and highly creative, semi-atonal, loud, 
wailing-clarinet-led pieces.  The blend worked fine and seemed to be 
appreciated by all in attendance.  For more information on Krakauer's 
performances at this Sunday series, I will paste in below an excerpt about it 
from Krakauer's Web site.

- Mark Melnick
  Stamford, CT
  December 6, 1998
  (not affiliated with DK; just a fan)

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David Krakauer Upcoming Events
December 6 & 13 and January 1
"KLEZMER SUNDAYS IN THE WINE CELLAR" returns to the Lower East Side with a new 
series curated by DAVID KRAKAUER, Sunday afternoons from 1:30 to 4:00, starting 
Sunday, December 6, 1998 at:
TONIC (formerly the Kedem Kosher Winery)
107 Norfolk Street (between Delancey and Rivington streets)
New York, NY
212-358-7504
Admission: $10
Starting on Sunday, December 6, 1998, klezmer music finds a regular home in the 
old Jewish neighborhood of the Lower East Side in a series entitled "Klezmer 
Sundays in the Wine Cellar." The series will take place every Sunday afternoon 
from 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the wine cellar of the fast-emerging club-café 
Tonic, formerly the historic Kedem Kosher Winery. "Klezmer Sundays in the Wine 
Cellar" is the ideal activity with which to follow Sunday brunch at the famous 
Ratner's restaurant around the corner!
Clarinetist David Krakauer will inaugurate the series on December 6 with his 
band Klezmer Madness! and make regular appearances thereafter. He will also 
bring in other important names in klezmer music.
The 5,000-square-foot space of Tonic incorporates elements of the building's 
long history. The coffee bar and stage were built from dismantled wine casks, 
and the wine cellar lounge, which opens in December with Krakauer's klezmer 
series, will feature private booths inside some of the remaining 2,500-gallon 
hardwood casks. These wine casks-turned-cozy candlelit booths will seat up to 
seven people, making them ideal for group gatherings or an intimate 
tête-à-tête. An extensive drink menu will be available at the bar, as well as 
kosher wines.
The street-level café of Tonic is open seven days a week from early morning to 
late night serving breakfast, lunch, late night snacks and weekend brunch. Many 
of the selections on the eclectic menu reflect the neighborhood, including 
knishes, pickles and bialys.
THE AIM OF THE SERIES:
"When I've toured around the U.S. and Europe, people have regularly asked 
'Where can you hear klezmer music in New York City?' Not being able to give 
them an answer, I felt the time was right to establish a home for klezmer music 
in the old Jewish neighborhood of the Lower East Side."
David Krakauer

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