We are. Tickets selling, programs printed. Some of the musicians are already in town--others on their way. We're so grateful to those who have believed and supported, volunteered and helped us make this all happen.

Great two-page spread in today's Boston Globe G section (see the online version here:

http://www.boston.com/ae/music/articles/2010/03/05/jewish_artists_see_boston_music_festival_as_a_different_way_to_explore_their_culture/

 Also, last week's Boston Phoenix: http://thephoenix.com/Boston/music/97500-jew-note/ 

 And in this week's Jewish Advocate.

 And don't miss Sunday's family concerts: Peter & Ellen Allard at the MetroWest Jewish Day School in Framingham (2 PM); Yehuda Katz at Berger Hall Temple Israel in Sharon (3 PM); and Shira Kline and ShirLaLa at the JCC in Newton (1 PM). What a weekend.

 The excitement is palpable, we're revved up, still gotta' iron a shirt. See you there!

Jim

 

 

 

 

It seems so unreal.The festival begins in less than 48 hours. There is so much running around to do tomorrow! It is so exciting. There will be a wonderful article in the Boston Globe on Friday. And the Jewish Advocate did some great coverage this week too. And the BJMF Program Book is just amazing. So hurry up and get your tickets. I'm off to the airport to pick up Yehuda Katz who will be playing  in Sharon Sunday afternoon. There are so many great events. Enjoy.

The Boston Phoenix has published a terrific article on the Music Festival. A big shout out to Jon Garelick for his fine work that captured so much of the spirit. Nice picture of Ruth Dolores Weiss, too! Hope you have your tickets--they are going fast!

You can read the article here: http://thephoenix.com/Boston/music/97500-jew-note/

Jim 

 

Brochures are being delivered. Advertising is falling into place (Watch for ads in the Boston Phoenix in Febuary...Thank you, Phoenix). Tickets for ALL events are now on sale. But we still need your help.

1. Please tell your friends about the Festival and send them to this website or our FaceBook page.

2. If you would like to volunteer at an event, end us an email. We will be needing people to hand out programs (WAIT TIL YOU SEE IT! IT IS AMAZING!!!), sell tickets (unless we sell out in advance) and sell CDs and t-shirts after each event.

Buy your tickets. Tell your friends. Heck, an old friend from Toronto who is a kelzmer nut is hoping to come to opening night because he thinks seeing Don Byron and Judy Bressler again with KCB could be the klezmer event of the year!

But most of all. get ready to enjoy.

What a concert! Last night (Sunday), nearly 400 folks of all ages heard the fabulous Israeli trio HABANOT NECHAMA, one of Israel's most popular groups. It was the pre-concert of the BJMF, co-sponsored by Temple Aliyah  and Temple Beth Shalom of Needham and the Israeli Consulate.

 An outstanding show! These three women have amazing voices with terrific range and harmonies, singing erverything from gentle love songs to reggae to silly, fun show stoppers. A strong contingent of Israelis were in the audience (including Consul General Nadav Tamir, who was grooving in the back of the room) who were obviously loyal fans (the person behind me sang many of the lyrics). But those who didn't know their music were enthralled. The audience rose to its feet as one at the end--and, of course, the women did an encore.

 It was a memorable kick-off for the Festival, but also a signature evening of great Jewish music by three outstanding Jewish artists. Thank you Yael, Dana and Karolina!!

If you missed this, you missed something special. But don't worry--more is coming. Tickets will go on sale shortly and our mailer, with the whoile schedule and ticket information, is at the printers now. Watch your mailbox--and be sure to sign up for our email newsletter which will have all the details. You can sign up right here on our web site. Don't be left out, 'cause this was just the beginning.

Jim

There was a very nice article about the Festival in the Jewish Advocate this week. It's unbelievably exciting. The Festival direct mail brochure goes to the printer today and should be delivered within 2 weeks.  And Sunday night, we kick things off with Habanot Nechama. This Festival is no longer a dream, Its real. And it is going to be spectacular.

KlezKanada was founded in 1996 to teach, nurture, and present to a broad public the best of Jewish traditional arts and Yiddish/Jewish culture (from the KlezKanada mission statement). 

Each August, KlezKanada hosts a week-long festival in beautiful Lantier, Québec, about one hour north of Montreal.  By day, participants refine their ears, learn idiomatic klezmer ornaments, dance freylekhs and shers, and attend lectures by reputed scholars and artists.  By night, the camp vibrates with the sounds of concerts given by the world-class faculty, dance bands, and performances at the KlezKabaret.  Last summer I saw a fox peeping into the glass windows of the retreat center, hoping to join in the fun.  

For me, one of the most special aspects of KlezKanada is its celebrated scholarship program, of which I have taken part for the past six summers.  The program makes it possible for aspiring young artists to attend the summer session for a more than reasonable fee, considering all that is included in the jam-packed week. As the klezmer movement grows in popularity around the world, the talent pool of KlezKanada scholars shoots up exponentially each summer.  The program accepts about 100 aspiring musicians, artists, dancers, photographers, film directors, and academics, from the ages of 10-35.  Noted scholarship students have included:

·      Violinist Lily Henly (Tel Aviv, *graduate of New England Conservatory)

·      Percussionist Lorie Wolf of Sisters of Sheynville (Toronto)

·      Cellist Francesca Ter-Berg (London)

·      Director and filmmaker Andrés Livov (Montreal), who just celebrated the international release of his first film, A Place Called Los Pereyra

KlezKanada’s scholarship program ensures that Yiddish culture will survive and thrive for the next generation to come. In addition to working closely with some of the most celebrated artists, scholarship recipients form their own professional relationships and life-long friendships.  

This summer, KlezKanada will take place August 16-22.  For more information, including how to apply for the scholarship program, please visit www.klezkanada.org.      

~Becky Wexler, clarinetist and KlezKanada Scholar

 

Here's a great interview with Flory Jagoda, Ladino cultural treasure, who will be coming to the Festival on Tuesday, March 9. This woman is INCREDIBLE and not to be missed.

 

http://www.tabletmag.com/podcasts/3184/ocho-kandelikas/?utm_source=Tablet+Magazine+List&utm_campaign=3d12efed52-12_15_2009&utm_medium=email

Well look at that. Some very nice media coverage in the Newton Tab. Yes, that's my jukebox in the background. I think we it was playing Patsy Cline (not Kline or Klein) singing WillieNelson's Crazy. Which must be what Jim and I are to be doing this. http://www.wickedlocal.com/newton/news/x1145288106/Newton-resident-co-producing-Bostons-first-Jewish-music-festival
 

But the Festival has received some incredible financial support over the last two weeks and everything planned will be officially announced after January 1.

Just a quick note. The major marketting push for the Festival will kick off in January. But our program line-up is just about to be officially confirmed. So be sure to have all your friends register their email list with us.

Also, as the year comes to an end, here's a subtle reminder that ANY DONATIONS MADE TO BJMF ARE TAX-DEDUCTIBLE. Subtle, eh?  You can give on line, just by clicking on  http://bjmfestival.org/index.php/you-can-help.

 And as you get ready Chanukah,  here is a lively version of a Flory Jagoda holiday classic (not by Flory but Daddo has great hair!).