Time: 8:00pm Location: Main Street, Bethlehem Phone: 603-869-3422
Description: Since their emergence more than 25 years ago, the Klezmatics have raised the bar for Eastern European Jewish music, made aesthetically, politically and musically interesting recordings, inspired future generations, created a large body of work that is enduring, and helped to change the face of contemporary Yiddish culture. Often called a "Jewish roots band," the Klezmatics have led a popular revival of this ages-old, nearly forgotten art form.
They have performed in more than 20 countries and released 10 albums to date -- most recently the two-CD Live at Town Hall, recorded in their home base of New York and released in celebration of the band's silver anniversary. On their Grammy-winning 2006 album Wonder Wheel, the Klezmatics set a dozen previously unsung Woody Guthrie lyrics to music, widening their stylistic base by largely diverging from klezmer. They have also recently served as the subject of a feature-length documentary film, The Klezmatics: On Holy Ground featured as part of the BHC Film Series in 2010.
"The Klezmatics aren't just the best band in the klezmer vanguard; on a good night, they can rank among the greatest bands on the planet." – Time Out New York
Visit the artist's website: klezmatics.com.
This evening with The Klezmatics is sponsored by the Bethlehem Hebrew Congregation and is offered as part of Yiddish Culture Weekend August 17 – 19 which includes, in addition to this concert, services, speakers and presentations on Yiddish music, art and culture. For more information go the BHC website.
