RE: KlezFest London 1-4 July

[Jewish Music Institute <jewishmusic...>]

Here is a more detailed press release for those that may be interested
Geraldine

 KlezFest comes to London 1-4 July 2001

The thirst for knowledge and understanding of Jewish culture and music of
Eastern Europe, is to be satisfied in London next month. 'Fiddler' may have
been the catalyst that set off the enquiry into the Jewish music and dances
of the early 20th century. The spread of interest throughout the world in
the music of itinerant Jewish and Gypsy players at the turn of the century
has been phenomenal. Klezmer bands have sprung up all over the world.

The Jewish Music Institute has perceived a real hunger in the UK, from both
Jewish and non-Jewish musicians and non-musicians, to learn the techniques
and repertoire as well as the history and cultural background of this music.
Now the first JMI KlezFest London brings twenty five the word's most
outstanding teachers of Yiddish language, literature, song and klezmer music
for a four-day hands-on participatory programme at SOAS, London University.

>From 1-4 July, SOAS, London University will ring out with the jubilant
sounds of Klezmer music as over 100 participants young and old, from as far
afield as Australia and Canada get together to be immersed in Eastern
European Jewish folklore and Culture.  At last there will be the opportunity
for all those longing to capture the life and spirit of this culture, to
really find out what it was about, and to have tuition from, and hear
performances by, the best in the world.   The teaching team includes Brave
Old World's  Michael Alpert, Klezmer Conservatory Band's Deborah Strauss and
Jeff Warschauer,  Khevrisa's Zev Feldman and New York's Yiddish star
vocalist Adrienne Cooper, all of whom have performed with Itzhak Perlman.
>From the UK Merlin Shepherd, Majer Bogdanski and Gregori Schechter will
teach and perform.

The music will be put in context with lectures on history, debates on the
burning issues of the time, introduction to Yiddish expressions.
Participants can join a choir or listen to masterclasses on Yiddish song,
hear lectures on Yiddish theatre, literature and poetry, as well as join
instrumental and ensemble workshops. There are three choices of activity all
day, so plenty to interest non-musicians in the programme which starts at
9.00 am on Sunday morning and ends at 10.30pm on Wednesday evening.

Evening Concerts at SOAS:
Three Eastern European Klezmer Bands, from Kharkov, Simferopol and
Ekaterinaburg, will entertain as part of the three evening concerts open to
the general public.
Sunday 1 July 'East Meets West: Klezmorim from Europe and America'
Michael Wex, Yiddish teacher and raconteur par excellence, introduces the
performers on the faculty.

Monday 2 July Adrienne Cooper and Zalmen Mlotek present their acclaimed
show: 'Ghetto Tango', presenting the complex Yiddish musical legacy of the
Holocaust, conveying to an English-speaking audience of today, the spirit of
defiance, love of life and creativity against impossible odds.

Tuesday 3 July  Memories of the Yiddish Theatre.  Barry Davis introduces
theatre songs and stories with Bernard Mendelovitch, David Mazower, Saul
Reichlin, Zalmen Mlotek, Adrienne Cooper, Michael Wex and others.  (this is
followed by a late night session with Oi-Va-Voi and the Kharkov Klezmer Band
at the Spitz 020 7392 9032).

Wednesday 4 July. On the last evening ensembles of the participants at
KlezFest will perform what they have learned during the week.

Klezmer music today has a world-wide following, even way outside the Jewish
arena.  The four-day participatory programme, has been devised by the Jewish
Music Institute (JMI) in association with the Oxford Institute for Yiddish
Studies, the London Jewish Cultural Centre, Leeds Jewish Music Education and
YaD.  It is co-hosted by the Department of Music of the School of Oriental
and African Studies (SOAS) and is sponsored by the Jewish Chronicle.

You can attend KlezFest for the full four days or on a daily basis, or just
attend the evening concerts.
For further information, registration and tickets for the evening concerts,
see the JMI website: www.jmi.org.uk/klezfest or contact JMI c/o Barbara
Rosenberg, Tel: 01628 603278   email: barbara (at) 
rosenberg87(dot)freeserve(dot)co(dot)uk or
ring the JMI Harrow office on 020 8909 2445







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