Co/Lab is proud to partner with
Bubbaville on their 2023 Klezmer Festival
So, you’re a klezmer maven (expert)? Then you definitely need to get tickets. You’ve never heard of klezmer? Then this is for you, too. There’s something for everyone who loves music and loves Jewish culture! This is a singular event, and one of the only opportunities in the PNW to dive deep on Klezmer music and Jewish culture, to learn about the music, to dance to it, and to hear from master musicians of the genre. This is a string of events packed with concerts, workshops for musicians, panels, singing circles and more.
Schedule
Thursday November 2
7:30 PM
Opening Night Concert and Jam Session (Jamming at 9:30pm)
With The Bieszczady Mountain Boys and Yankl Falk’s Carpathian-Pacific Express
Sliding scale $12-$15
Alberta Street Pub (1036 NE Alberta St.).
Friday, November 3
7:00 PM
Nigun (group singing) Circle to Welcome Shabbat
Led by cantor Aaron Vitells
All are welcome to come and sing with us to welcome Shabbat!
Suggested donation $10
Soma Space (4050 NE Broadway)
Saturday, November 4
2-3:15pm
Young People’s Workshop with Michelle Alany
Pacific Crest Community School (116 NE 29th Ave)
Come and learn a Klezmer tune with us! In this special session for young music students, Michelle will teach a klezmer melody by ear in a way that everyone can learn and enjoy. All ages are welcome, some experience on a melody instrument is suggested.
Evening Concert
7:30 PM
Featuring Brivele and New Fidl Kapelye (klezmer supergroup with Jake Shulman-Ment, Abigale Reisman, Pete Rushefsky, and Stu Brotman)
Sliding scale $15-$22
Eastside Jewish Commons (2420 NE Sandy Blvd)
Sunday, November 5th
A Day of Learning, Music and Fun!
1pm-5pm
All Sunday events take place at Eastside Jewish Commons (2420 NE Sandy Blvd)
Workshop: Klezmer off the Page (and Into Your Heart) (1:00pm-2:15pm)
With Eric Stern
Tarras, Alpert, Netsky, Bressler: You’ve seen all the klezmer greats, and most of the time their eyes are not glued to a page of music. Are you a musician who knows how to read music but always wondered how to lift the music off the page and make it your own? Are you even nervous or scared to play without written music? Then this workshop is for you! The workshop will demonstrate how one can create their voice in a klezmer ensemble using the principles of jazz, improvisation, and even basic listening. Participants will learn to use klezmer modes, rhythms, backings, and will even taksim (solo). Workshop leader Eric Stern is the founder of Vagabond Opera, a world acclaimed ensemble that played not only klezmer, but Balkan, Arabic, jazz and original pieces. He believes in simultaneously nurturing students while holding out expectation. He will hold your hand every step of the way.
This class is for people who have at least an advanced-beginner level of skill on their instrument.
Workshop: The Yiddish Voice (1:00pm-2:15pm) With Jake Shulman-Ment
In this class for singers and instrumentalists alike, we will focus on Yiddish folk songs and Hasidic nigunim. We’ll explore the connections between Yiddish vocal styles and klezmer, working on building rhetorical meaning in our musical phrasing and rhythmic sense. Learn to sing in Yiddish using your voice, your instrument, or both!
Workshop: A Master Class On The Klezmer Feel (1:00 – 2:15 PM) With Stuart Brotman
Melody and rhythm players are invited to learn from a veteran of the klezmer revival movement. Stu will demonstrate accompaniment approach choices and explore any questions that come up. An invaluable opportunity to gain insight into the way a klezmer grooves!
Workshop: The Art Of The Doina (2:30 – 3:45 PM) With Abigale Reisman
Learn to improvise a traditional doina! In this class, we will learn the very exacting rules that a beautiful doina is born from. We will learn music theory about the melody creation and listen and analyze early recordings of doinas. Everyone will get a chance to improvise and/or write a doina. The doina is a wonderful place to express oneself through klezmer music and in this class we will aim to do just that!
Klez Jam! (2:30 – 3:45 PM) With Pete Rushefsky
Play alongside the pros in a fun facilitated jam session. Bring your favorite tunes to share, and learn some new ones. We’ll pause every now and then to share tips aimed at improving everyone’s playing.
Panel Discussion: Changes and Progressions: Making the Present from the Past in Jewish Music and Culture. (3:45-5:00pm)
With Rabbi Josh Rose, Jake Shulman-Ment, Michelle Alany, and Eric Stern – Rabbi Josh Rose (Co/Lab: Reimagine Jewish) will host a conversation about Klezmer’s past and present, how Jewish music absorbs influences from the broader culture, and what Jewish creativity owes the past.
Closing Concert And Dance Party (7:30 (Music) and 8:30 (Dance Party))
Featuring Michelle Alany and the Mystics, New Fidl Kapelye, Yankl Falk, and more!
Sliding scale $15-$22
All Sunday events take place at Eastside Jewish Commons (2420 NE Sandy Blvd)
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