---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Jewish Music Institute <[log in to unmask]>

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 JC sponsored 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:

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).

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, 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: [log in to unmask]