International Jewish Arts Festival in Commack, NY

[lownthl <lownthl...>]

The International Jewish Arts Festival will return to the Suffolk Y Jewish
Community Center in Commack this Labor Day weekend, Sunday, September 5th
and Monday, September 6th, featuring a Klezmer Fest, a high-tech "Jewish
Genealogy Computer Station," a Festival Orchestra and exotic traditional
Folk performers. This is the Festival's fifteenth year on Long Island. Bring
your own lawn chairs and camcorders - you can buy Kosher food and drinks on
the premises.

Festival Director, Rea Jacobs, expects over 15,000 to converge on the
grounds of the Suffolk Y JCC, 74 Hauppauge Road in Commack. "We're back,
we're bigger, and we're better," said Jacobs. "Our visitors will notice some
major new attractions that have never been done before."

This year's outstanding entertainers include fabled comedian Mal Z.
Lawrence, renowned folk singer Oscar Brand; conductor David Amram, with
Orchestra and Jazz and Middle Eastern Trios, and the Broadway & Film star
Joel Grey, Cabaret's original M.C.

There are five stages of simultaneous entertainment. One of them is
dedicated to a full day of children's entertainment and activities (find out
where your kids can make their own shofar).  There are tents with arts and
crafts and Jewish music for sale, interesting people to meet and talk to
(including Tara Publication's Velvel Pasternak - Jewish Music composer,
arranger, and editor extraordinaire!).

Sunday's schedule includes four performances by one of the renown groups
from Central Asia - Maqam: Bukharan musicians, singers and dancers (also
from Uzbekistan).  Their sound is like a blend of Turkish, Iranian, Indian
and Arabian music (a lot of great 6/4 time stuff - see
http://www.medieval.org/music/world/central.html).  Each musical composition
tells a story which is sometimes mimed by a dancer (usually with their eyes,
facial expressions and hand movements). One of the singers holds the world's
record for holding out a single unbroken note without taking a breath
(usually more than 20 seconds ala Tekia Gedohla).  If you've never seen
either Maqam or Shashmaqam, then this Sunday's Festival should not be
missed.

Follow this link for a Schedule of all of the Entertainment Events (for both
Sunday and Monday) and directions:
http://www.jewishartsfest.com/entertainment.htm

Regards,

Steven Lowenthal


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