Date: Oct 23, 2012

Hofstra Cultural Center Presents Klezmer "Hot and Spicy"

THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO HURRICANE SANDY

PLEASE CHECK THE WEB OR CALL THE CULTURAL CENTER FOR RESCHEDULING INFORMATION

Sunday, November 4, 2012, 7 p.m.
Hofstra University John Cranford Adams Playhouse
Part of the Joseph G. Astman International Concert Series

Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY … Come to Hofstra University on Sunday, November 4, 2012, 7 p.m. for a “Hot and Spicy” Klezmer Concert, featuring Yale Strom & Hot Pstromi. Tickets are $10, $8 for senior citizens (over 65), PEIR members or non-Hofstra students with ID. Child under 12 receives one free ticket with the purchase of one full-price ticket. Members of the Hofstra community receive one free ticket upon presentation of a current HofstraCard.

For tickets call the Hofstra Box Office at (516) 463-6644 or for information call the Hofstra Cultural Center at (516) 463-5669. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.hofstra.edu/culture.
 
This concert is part of Hofstra’s ongoing Joseph G. Astman International Concert Series and features the talents of David Licht, percussion; Marty Confurius, bass; Peter Stan, accordion; Elizabeth Schwartz, vocals; Norbert Stachel, reeds; and Yale Strom, violin/viola. Hot Pstromi was started by Yale Strom in 1981. The group is known for playing traditional as well as new Klezmer and Yiddish songs. Much repertoire is based upon Strom’s many ethnographic treks to Eastern Europe, where he found among Jews and Roma the last remnants of Klezmer music that survived the Holocaust.
 
The word Klezmer comes from two Hebrew words: Kley means vessels or tools and zmer means melody. In Yiddish, the word klezmer literally means vessels of the music." Klezmer in Central and Eastern Europe before the 17th century meant a musical instrument. By the mid-17th century the word had begun to be used to denote the Jewish musician. And by the 18th century throughout Central and Eastern Europe, klezmer meant the Jewish folk instrumentalist. His music was a specific kind of Ashkenazic folk music which was primarily dance music. Today the definition has broadened and means Ashkenazic dance, vocal and melismatic instrumental music.

According to Yale Strom, the revival of klezmer in America began in the 1970s. The growing diversity of the country encouraged an atmosphere of multiculturalism and celebrated diversity. Many second and third generation Ashkenazic Jews felt it was “hip” to rediscover their rich East European roots and stop focusing only on the Holocaust. Learning to play klezmer was often less intimidating than learning Hebrew or studying the Torah; and going to klezmer concerts was often spiritually more fulfilling than going to the synagogue.

For more information on the Joseph G. Astman International Concert Series and other programs offered by the Hofstra Cultural Center, visit www.hofstra.edu/culture.

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Related Link: More About the Astman International Concert Series