Yidstock 2014

Klezmatics and the Klezmer Conservatory Band Headline Yidstock 2014: The Festival of New Yiddish Music at the Yiddish Book Center, Amherst, July 17-20. 

Now in its third year, Yidstock 2014 will once again bring a stellar lineup of klezmer legends and international stars to the stage at the Yiddish Book Center in Amherst, Massachusetts, for four days of concerts and music-related talks, workshops, and more. 

On the bill are The Klezmatics and the Klezmer Conservatory Band, widely considered to be the two greatest modern klezmer bands. Other headliners include Berlin’s Daniel Kahn & the Painted Bird, one of the most creative and cutting-edge Yiddish ensembles; Basya Schechter: Songs of Wonder (The Heschel Project), featuring poetry by the great Yiddish poet and theologian, Abraham Joshua Heschel, put to new music by Basya Schechter, founder and leader of the Jewish world-beat group Pharaoh’s Daughter; and the Nigunim Trio, featuring Lorin Sklamberg and Frank London (both of the Klezmatics) and pianist Rob Schwimmer, performing original and traditional nigunim and zmiros.

The curtain will come down on Yidstock 2014 when Frank London’s Klezmer Brass Allstars, featuring acclaimed Yiddish vocalist Eleanor Reissa, take to the stage for the closing concert Sunday evening – a concert guaranteed to have everyone dancing. 

Yidstock 2014 offers a rare opportunity for festivalgoers to take in performances by several generations of the most accomplished and influential klezmer musicians, including those who revived the music in the 1980s, those who made it blossom in the klezmer renaissance of the 1990s, and those who are blazing new trails well into the 21st century. A series of workshops and talks is also on the schedule, including two Yiddish Folk Danceworkshops led by internationally renowned Yiddish dance teacher Steve Weintraub; a lecture by Hankus Netsky, founder of the Klezmer Conservatory Band; an instrumental klezmer workshop with Brian Bender; a Yiddish song workshop with Asya Vaisman Schulman; and a multimedia journey through a thousand years of klezmer history by author and music critic Seth Rogovoy, who programs the annual event. 

Back by popular demand, Yosi Kitchen’s falafel tent will once again be serving an assortment of great food.  

Yidstock draws festivalgoers from around the country for what is quickly being recognized as an annual not-be-missed festival. Concerts usually sell out in advance; Festival Passes have already sold out, but tickets for individual concerts are available. For more information, the complete schedule, and to purchase tickets, visit yiddishbookcenter.org or call 413.256.4900 

All events take place at the Yiddish Book Center’s 49,000 square-foot campus in Amherst, Massachusetts, rain or shine. The Center is handicapped accessible.