One klezmer's experience

[MaxwellSt <MaxwellSt...>]

This concerns the Polish messianic site mentioned by Dick, but only by 
subject: that is, playing for messianic "Jews" (or not playing for them).

Maxwell Street has been booked by messianic Jews twice in 20 years.  Of 
course, the fact was well-hidden by the clients.  In one case (a bar mitzvah), 
we 
didn't know until we got the check from the client with a New Testament message 
on it, and at the other one (a wedding), we didn't know till we started 
shmoozing with a guest on break.  At the wedding, we simply stopped playing 
Jewish 
music and switched to American standards for the balance of the contract.  

Since it is not our choice to contribute our spirit to proselytizers for 
Christianity, we have since then put a clause in our contract that we don't 
play 
for messianic affairs, and if we figure out we've been booked for one, the 
contract is void and we get to keep the deposit.  But it's only happened twice, 
so 
it's probably an unnecessary precaution.

Interestingly enough, the enthusiasm of the crowd at the wedding was almost 
frothingly ecstatic when it came to the horas, entertaining the bride and 
groom, and other traditional dances.  

Lori @ MAX