From February 2-5, 2023, Klezmer on Ice brought live music and workshops from some of the finest performers and teachers in the world, indoor and outdoor dancing, and community to 250 unique, multi-generational participants throughout the Twin Cities.
The kickoff event also featured ice skating and performances by Minnesota artists Tzipporah, Daniel Lentz, Sarina Partridge, and Sarah Larsson
JTA: A Minnesota synagogue built an ice rink — and is inaugurating it with a klezmer skate
Lea Kalisch and JEWBALAYA kicked off the festival at Temple of Aaron Synagogue on February 2, 2023
Photos by Lev Gringauz
On February 4, 2023, we took to the ice for an outdoor tantshoyz featuring live music by Jake Shulman-Ment, Eléonore Weill, Anthony Afful, Daniel Lentz, and Stefan Iwaskewycz, with dance leading by Laura Levinson and Sarah Larsson.
Photo by Devon Young Cupery
“Thanks so much for this absolutely wonderful Yiddish Keit Klezmer festival! It made the cold winter so much warmer! It got us out of our doldrums in a community inspired by talent, passion, and connections between generations!”
— Klezmer on Ice attendee
Saturday night
Cabaret
On February 4, 2023, MC’s Laura Levinson and rafa kern hosted an evening of song, dance, comedy, and Yiddishkeit from community artists in front of a standing-room only crowd at the Center for Performing Arts. Lawrence University’s Klezmommies served as the house band for the evening.
Photos by Ethan Roberts
On February 5, 2023 the Minnesota JCC Capp Center hosted a series of musical and liturgical workshops taught by world-renowed teachers from across the country. Led by Jake Shulman-Ment, Eléonore Weill, Noam Lerman, Richie Barshay, and Yoshie Fruchter, the workshops focused on klezmer melodic and rhythmic playing, nigunim singing, and tkhines. Photos by Josh Rosard
The festival came to a close with an evening headliner performance on February 5, 2023 at the Cedar Cultural Center. Soul Trouvère opened the concert performing original and folk music from the Straits of Magellan to the Kremlin. Finally, MIDWOOD featuring Jake Shulman-Ment, Eléonore Weill, Richie Barshay, and Yoshie Fruchter, ended the festival in style with their brand of experimental klezmer/rock/avant garde celebrating freedom and the Jewish tradition of wandering and migration.
Klezmer on Ice 2023 was made possible with the support of Rimon: The Minnesota Jewish Arts Council, an initiative of the Minneapolis Jewish Federation; YALA Twin Cities grants; Minnesota JCC; Temple of Aaron; Honeymoon Israel; Supporters of Folk Will Save Us; and many amazing volunteers.
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