KlezmerFest to Kick Off Temple Shalom’s Double Chai Year

KlezmerFest – the annual celebration of Jewish folk music and food – is returning to Temple Shalom for 2012. Set for Sunday, October 14, KlezmerFest also will be the official kick-off event to Temple Shalom’s “Double-Chai” (36 year) anniversary. The festivities begin at 1 p.m.

 

“The KlezmerFest Committee wanted to make sure Double-Chai would be something special and unique to the synagogue and the congregation,” said KlezmerFest Committee Co-Chair Rob Gates. “So it seemed only natural to celebrate on our own grounds, in our own building to bring back the intimate feeling of family that helped make KlezmerFest 2010 such a great success.”

This year’s event will feature three Klezmer bands and will be headlined by newcomers IndyKlez from Indianapolis, who bill themselves as “not your average Klezmer band.”

The IndyKlez Facebook page invites listeners to “take the intoxicating flavor of Eastern European music, the earthiness of country sounds and the sophistication of world and classical music. Add a splash of pop, a pinch of Broadway and serve it up with an actor and musicians and you have IndyKlez.”

Kathy Karr, principal flute for the Louisville Orchestra, is the founder of KlezmerFest and is music co-chair of KlezmerFest 2012. She says the description is very much in tune with the rave reviews she and fellow music co-chair Aviv Naamani read before they heard the band.

“When we were researching Klezmer bands to invite for our KlezmerFest 2012, IndyKlez really stood out,” says Kathy Karr. “They are accomplished musicians with lots of pizzazz, colorful sounds and high energy. They instantly dazzled us!”

Returning for their third year will be the Java Jews from Des Moines, Iowa. The Java Jews will jam again with Temple Shalom’s premier flutist, Kathy Karr, who is the visionary and founder of KlezmerFest.

Also taking the KlezmerFest stage for a third year will be Louisville’s own Lost Tribe, featuring Temple Shalom members Aviv Naamani and Carol Sakovich. Cameo vocal performances will come from Cantors David Lipp (Adath Jeshurun) and Sharon Hordes (Keneseth Israel) and Rabbi Gaylia Rooks (The Temple).

“While Klezmerfest has been a fundraising event for Temple Shalom, we have always felt it important to reach out to other members of the Louisville Jewish community and are blessed that we can showcase the wonderful talents of Cantor Lipp, Cantor Hordes and Rabbi Rooks.” Gates said. “It really helps makes KlezmerFest a true Louisville celebration of Jewish folk music and culture that we have always hoped it would be.”

“I am especially thrilled that this is not only a Temple Shalom experience; Adath Jeshurun, Keneseth Israel, and The Temple are on board to make KlezmerFest 2012 a signature cultural event,” adds Temple Shalom’s president, Judy Sharp.

KlezmerFest 2012 will mark the return of the P.J. Library room filled with story-telling and other activities for younger children. The KlezmerFest Committee plans to provide outdoor games and activities, weather permitting, for older children on Temple Shalom’s back lot. If it rains, there will be other exciting activities inside.

And what would be a Jewish celebration without food? Returning this year will be the popular corned-beef sandwiches along with a wide selection of other noshes and goodies.

The KlezmerFest 2012 Committee includes event chair, Helene Kramer; event vice chair, Rob Gates; music co-chairs, Kathy Karr and Aviv Naamani; food chair, Cookie Honigberg; hospitality chair, Linda Wilson; marketing chair, Judy Berzof; and Judy Sharp.

Tickets will be $18, keeping with the Chai theme, with children 12 and under admitted free. Food will be available for purchase.

For the first time this year, you will also be able to get your flu shot at the festival. The flu vaccine will be administered by professional health care personnel. Medicare and many healthcare insurance plans will be accepted. If you are not covered under insurance or Medicare, the cost of the vaccine is $25.

KlezmerFest 2012 is underwritten by Jewish Hospital Healthcare Services as part of its generous commitment to events and programming in Louisville that support and perpetuate Jewish culture.

For more information join Louisville KlezmerFest on Facebook, go to www.templeshalomky.org or call 458-4739.

[by Helene Kramer Longton]

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