Northwest Folklife

The Big Jewish Show

Monday, May 25, 11:00 am - 2:00 pm

CharlotteMartinTheatre

Klezmer music originated in Eastern Europe in the 19^th century. Lovely melodies were played to accompany wedding celebrations; age old biblical themes and languages such as Yiddish and Hebrew become intertwined with new musical ideas and intermingled with modern issues. Small bands of versatile musicians traveled from town to town (from “shetl to shtel” or “dorf to dorf ”), playing for weddings on old worn brass military instruments, violin, and drum. While the klezmorim (musicians) typically played styles of music for weddings which would best suit the family and local tradition, they often brought new melodies and dance forms to the small town.

Steeped in history, the vast range of rhythms and moods of Klezmer music is ever-changing, encompassing cantorial and congregational song, Eastern European regional melodies, Ladino music, even Kosher Hip Hop and Gospel. You don’t have to be Jewish to love Klezmer music. While some of the music is sad, much of it is hand-clapping joyous! So join in, put your hands together, stomp your feet, dance, and join in the fun!

Also featured in the Big Jewish Show will be Ladino music (the music of the Sephardic Jews who were exiled from Spain). Seattle is home to the third-largest Sephardic Jewish community in America. Ladino music draws its influence from the countries around the Mediterranean Sea where these Jewish refugees settled.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Here's what's coming up:

August 21: Family Days - West African 1-3PM at the EMP - FREE
November 13: 2nd Annual A Night for Folklife, a benefit for Northwest Folklife

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