Ashkenaz Festival of New Yiddish Culture Toronto Canada August 31 to September 4-6
Our Mission:
ASHKENAZ is the largest festival of Yiddish culture in the world.
Rafael GoldwaserAshkenaz is committed to bringing the wealth of Yiddish culture to Jews and the world of today. Bridging differences within the Jewish community and the community at large, Ashkenaz draws on the wisdom of the past, and the creativity of the present, in order to create and express a living and breathing Yiddish culture. We bring this culture to the people through a festival and other events and offer them the opportunity to learn, grow, and experience the ancestral ties to Eastern Europe and the present ties to contemporary Yiddish artistry and innovation.
ASHKENAZ is a totally unique look at Yiddish culture that presents not only music but also a wide range of artistic disciplines, including theatre, dance, visual arts, crafts, literature, poetry, storytelling and comedy. The work is of an international caliber, much of it pushing the boundaries of what people generally think of as traditionally-based culture.
A wide array of talented artists from around the world has been chosen for this year's festival. We are proud to bring these artists to Toronto for an amazing display of Yiddish art and culture. Please check the website for constant updates and profiles of artists
Festivities begin August 31, culminating in a bustling weekend of music, dance, theatre, film, visual arts, literature, lectures and storytelling at Harbourfront Centre, from sundown Saturday September 4 through Monday September 6, 2004. Many events are free
The Program:
The Klezmatics bring their soul-stirring Jewish roots music to Toronto for the first time in over five years. These renowned performers present a free stunning open-air concert at Harbourfront Centre’s CIBC Stage on Saturday, Sept. 4 at 9:30 p.m.. The Klezmatics’ rousing performance is part of Ashkenaz’ spectacular post Shabbes (Sabbath) evening, which starts with an uplifting, artistic and musical Havdallah ceremony at the Toronto Star Stage.
Klezmer en Buenos Aires helps kick off the Ashkenaz Festival week, with the extraordinary clarinet and accordion talents of César Lerner and Marcelo Moguilevsky, Thursday, September 2 at 8 p.m. at the Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre, 750 Spadina Ave,Toronto. The group returns with special musical guests on Sunday, September 5 at 7 p.m. at Harbourfront Centre’s Brigantine Room. Tickets for each concert are $36.
Prolific, multi-talented, Montreal-born pianist Marilyn Lerner presents the world premiere of her original score to the silent Yiddish film East and West, which stars Molly Picon (Fiddler on the Roof) in her first film, on Wednesday, September 1 at 8 p.m. at the Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre and Sunday September 5 at 2 p.m. at Harboufront Center’s Studio Theatre. On Monday, September 6 at 5 p.m., Klezmer en Buenos Aires presents their musical version of the comedy classic film. Tickets are $18 for each performance.
Several important Toronto premieres, including many free performances light up Labour Day weekend, September 4-6 at Harbourfront Centre.
The Yiddish Radio Hour resurrects the classics of Yiddish radio from the 1930s to ‘50s. With a new radio program and theatre performance, Ashkenaz celebrates the forgotten geniuses and important recordings of this often overlooked chapter of the Canadian experience. The Yiddish Radio Hour can be seen and heard at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday September 5 and at 2:30 p.m. on Monday, September 6. Tickets are $15.
Yossi Vassa, “the Eddie Murphy of Israel,” opens a window on the experiences of immigrants to Israel with his moving and often hilarious personal account of his 700-kilometer journey on foot from Ethiopia to the Holy Land, It Sounds Better in Amharic, 8:00 p.m., Saturday September 4, and Sunday, September 5, at Harbourfront Centre’s Studio Theatre. Tickets are $15.
From Holland, Festival Mundial favourites Ot Azoj break onto the North American stage with their artful blend of old-time Klezmer, contemporary Eastern European folk music and the Klezmer revival sound for a heartwarming experience that is at once energetic, melancholic and joyous. Concert takes place at 8:00 p.m., Saturday, September 4 on the CIBC Stage at Harbourfront Centre.
From the vanguard of klezmer to their Canadian premiere at Ashkenaz, Berlin duo Khupe’s (Christian Dawid and Sanne Möricke) intense musical dialogue defies paradoxes with improvisation and innovation that remains true to Klezmer’s roots. Concert takes place at 9:30 p.m., Sunday, September 5, and 2:15 p.m., Monday, September 6 at on the CIBC Stage at Harbourfront Centre.
French-Canadian 8-member band Manouche pushes the envelope with sexy, energetic, contemporary renditions of old Yiddish standards at 5:30 p.m., Sunday, September 5, at Harbourfront Centre’s Toronto Star Stage. They are part of a contingent of Quebec performers at the festival, which also includes the harmonica styling of Shtreiml and the unique cabaret performer Jeszce Raz. Concluding a quintet of French oriented musicians at Ashkenaz are the brilliant players in France’s premiere klezmer group Les Yeux Noirs.
Buenos AriesAshkenaz: A Festival of New Yiddish Culture will feature a jam-packed weekend of film, theatre, literature, lectures and storytelling as well as music. Film buffs will be entertained by the
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Judy Wolfe, President
Heather Hoffman, Immediate Past President
Ellen Wexler, Secretary/Treasurer
Barbara Bank
Howard Bergman
David Ehrlich
Steve Glassman
Dorothy Ross
Rosalie Sharp
Herb Singer
Paul Stern
David Wintre, Fundraising Chair
Eda Zimler-Schiff
Libby Znaimer
ARTISTIC PRODUCER
Marc Glassman producer@ashkenazfestival.com
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Mitch Smolkin mitch@ashkenazfestival.com
CONSULTANT
Gordon Wolfe gordon.wolfe@sympatico.ca
ADMINISTRATOR
Shira Leuchter shira@ashkenazfestival.com
Contact :
Office
455 Spadina Avenue
Suite 303
Toronto, Ontario
Canada M5S 2G5
Tel: 416-979-9901
Fax: 416-979-4059
ashkenaz@ashkenazfestival.com
Festival Location
Harbourfront Centre
235 Queens Quay West
Toronto, Ontario
Tel: 416-973-4000
www.harbourfrontcentre.com
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posted by gem.n.i @ 8/26/2006 11:48:00 PM
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