// 2012 Ashkenaz Festival


The 9th biennial Ashkenaz Festival will once again awe and delight people of all ages and backgrounds, with a stunning array of world-class performers presenting contemporary and traditional forms of Jewish music, art and culture. This year's programming has taken on a distinctly global bent, with artists joining us for the first time from such locales as Uganda, India, Central Asia, Australia and Mexico. Ashkenaz 2012 will celebrate the diversity of Jewish music, art and artists from around the world, and the interconnectedness of communities near and far.

  • Yemen Blues (Israel)

    An exciting and explosive, 21st century brew of Yemenite-Jewish song and poetry, West African grooves and American jazz, blues and funk.

  • Shye Ben Tzur (Israel/India)

    Israeli composer, producer, and performer Shye Ben Tzur mixes Hebrew and Middle Eastern influences with those of the Indian sub-continent.

  • The Corpse Bride (Toronto)

    A young groom on the way to his bride's village accidentally weds himself to a Corpse Bride in THEATRE PANIK'S darkly comedic spin on shtetl folklore.

  • The Abayudaya (Uganda)

    The musical traditions of Uganda’s Jewish community, presented by two of their musical and spiritual leaders, Rabbi Gershom Sizomu and JJ Keki.

  • Basya Schechter (New York)

    Basya Schechter's new solo project sets the Yiddish poetry of revered philosopher and civil rights activist Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel to original music.

  • Socalled (Montreal)

    Mixing new old sounds from his own history into sample-based beats, the music of Socalled is catchy, smart, hilarious, emotional, and timeless.

  • Opa! (Russia)

    Post-Soviet klezmer and pop collides with reggae, ska, funk and rock in the electrifying music of Opa!, Russia’s hottest new World music party band.

  • Sharon and Bram (Toronto)

    Legendary Canadian family entertainers mix Yiddishkeit with iconic favourites such as ONE ELEPHANT and SKINNAMARINK.

  • Leo Spellman’s Rhapsody 1939-45

    The Canadian Premiere performance of 99-year-old Toronto composer’s tour de force, originally written in 1947 in a German DP camp.

  • Lucidarium (Italy/Switzerland)

    A unique program of little-known Renaissance-era Italian-Jewish music performed on period instruments and in Hebrew, Italian, and Ladino.

  • Finjan (Winnipeg)

    Canada’s first Klezmer revival band celebrates the 30th ANNIVERSARY of their founding with a very special reunion concert.

  • Klezmerson (Mexico)

    Mexico City’s Klezmerson reflects the diverse urban sounds of its hometown by injecting Latin American musical influences into its music.

  • Lerner Moguilevsky (Argentina)

    Inspired by Klezmer, jazz, tango and other World music influences, this Argentine duo is known for their exceptionally dynamic live performances.

  • Shashmaqam (Central Asia)

    Shashmaqam performs a panorama of the classical and folk music of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, as well as the liturgical repertoire of Bukharan Jews.

  • Yiddish Songs of Arkady Gendler

    This special tribute concert and CD release celebrates the original work of one of the greatest living treasures of Yiddish song.

  • The Tarras Band (New York)

    Showcasing klezmer legend Peter Sokolow on piano and the music of the late, great clarinetist/composer Dave Tarras, and clarinetist Naftule Brandwein.

  • Aaron Bensoussan (Toronto)

    One of the world’s great cantorial voices, Bensoussan debuts his adventurous new CD of contemporary Sephardi pop/rock, “Maroc N Roll."

  • A Tribute to Chava Rosenfarb

    THERESA TOVA directs a stellar ensemble in this wide-ranging tribute to one of the most important Yiddish writers of the 20th century.

  • Veretski Pass (California)

    Virtuosic musicianship and raw energy come together in an exciting combination of old country Ottoman-era music.

  • The Ger Mandolin Orchestra

    Inspired by a dusty photograph, the Ger Mandolin Orchestra is recreated by eleven of the world’s finest mandolinists. EXCLUSIVE SNEAK PREVIEW.

  • Sagapool (Montreal)

    With a mix of good-natured shenanigans and striking musical skill, Sagapool is known for their high-intensity, spirited live shows.

  • Meet the Abayudaya

    The spiritual leaders of Uganda’s Jewish community share rich choral traditions of familiar Jewish songs in a special interactive session for the whole family.

  • Guy Mendilow Ensemble (Boston)

    Starting in ancient Spain and winding through Sarajevo and Jerusalem, this award-winning ensemble breathes new life into old Sephardi songs.

  • Klezmer Contra Dance

    Half Yiddish Tantshoyz, half Contra Dance, this event gets you up on your feet to celebrate an exciting meeting of cultures.

  • Bob Bossin (British Columbia)

    Canadian folk music legend BOB BOSSIN presents a new one-man show about his father’s exploits in Toronto’s gambling demi-monde of the 1930-40s.

  • Beyond the Pale (Toronto)

    One of Canada’s longest-running and most-acclaimed Klezmer/Balkan fusion ensembles returns to Ashkenaz for the first time since 2008.

  • Abraham Lichtenbaum (Argentina)

    Abraham Lichtenbaum is the Executive Director of YIVO Argentina and has taught Yiddish in Buenos Aires, NY, Vilnius, Warsaw, and Hamburg.

  • Fanfare Severni (Montreal)

    Some of Montreal’s top young folk/world musicians, FANFARE SEVERNI captures the raucous energy of Balkan brass and east European village music.

  • Jerry Gray (Toronto)

    Co-founder of The Travellers, Jerry has traveled across around the world, singing for labourers, picketers, protesters, politicians, children, and royalty.

  • Michael Wex (Toronto)

    Award-winning author, Yiddish raconteur and Ashkenaz fave Michael Wex returns to the Festival with a sneak preview of his latest book about Jewish food.

  • Ira Moskowitz: Mystical Routes

    The dazzling visual diary of Ira Moskowitz is presented in this GALLERY EXHIBITION of his paintings, drawings and prints.

  • Pete Sokolow (New York)

    Legendary klezmer/jazz pianist Pete Sokolow presents a musically-illustrated discussion of his six-decade career in NY's Jewish music scene.

  • Lemon Bucket Orkestra (Toronto)

    Toronto’s own thirteen-piece Balkan-Klezmer-Gypsy-Party-Punk Super-Band brings their lively street-savvy Eastern European folk music to Ashkenaz.

  • Paul Buhle (Wisconsin)

    Paul Buhle explores images & insights from his anthology and about his late co-editor, the underground comic book writer & personality Harvey Pekar.

  • Avia Moore (Montreal)

    Leading Yiddish dance at events internationally, Avia instills workshops with a sense of tradition while exploring contemporary approaches to the style.

  • Yuvi’s Candy Tree

    LESLEY SIMPSON reads her award-winning book and leads kids and families in a fun activity: make your own candy tree!

  • Yosl Birshteyn

    An in-depth look at the life and work of Yiddish and Hebrew literary master Yosl Birshteyn. Directed by Forverts Editor-In-Chief Boris Sandler.

  • Shtiler Tants

    Revive your spirit with late-night dancing under the stars to music so quiet you can hear the dancers’ feet scrape the boardwalk.

  • Global Shtetl Cabaret

    An eclectic stage showcasing the diversity & vibrance of Jewish music traditions from around the world. Hosted by Toronto’s Aviva Chernick.

  • Buster Keaton’s Sherlock Jr.

    This LIVE MUSICAL SCORE by FERN LINDZON weaves klezmer themes into a delightful new accompaniment to a Buster Keaton silent film classic.

  • The Great Dolgini (Montreal)

    Mystery & laughs abound as The Great Dolgini (aka Socalled) demonstrates his sleight of hand with a daring display of magic, mischief & misdirection.

  • Ann Samson (Toronto)

    An overview of the history and traditions of India’s Jewish community presented by Ann Samson, a founder of Toronto’s Indian-Jewish Congregation Bina.

  • David Buchbinder (Toronto)

    Ashkenaz Festival co-founder presents the vision behind Diasporic Genius, a non-profit engaged in intercultural artistic creation & community-building.

  • Jewish Jug Band (Toronto)

    Families and kids of all ages join in with JOSHUA SKYE ENGEL in the return of one of the festival’s most popular family programs.

  • Sailors, Sirens & Kings

    An exhilarating interactive adventure for children through Ladino songs, stories, and games. Led by the GUY MENDILOW ENSEMBLE.

  • Todie and the Miser

    Join shrewd Todie in LORIE WOLF'S new children's play, as he teaches Lyzer the miser a lesson about generosity that he'll never forget!

  • Nicole Borger (Brazil)

    Cultural organizer and singer-songwriter Nicole Borger discusses the Brazilian Jewish community and its cultural life over five centuries.

  • New Yiddish Culture

    French director DAVID UNGER captures a dynamic portrait of the contemporary Yiddish culture scene in this globetrotting musical journey.

  • Christian Dawid (Germany)

    Christian Dawid shares his experience recording the work of ARKADY GENDLER, one of the greatest living treasures of Yiddish song.

  • The Ashkenaz Festival Parade

    SHADOWLAND THEATRE transforms Harbourfront Centre into a swirling cavalcade of music, dance, theatre, and giant puppetry.

  • Dance Panorama

    An interactive “show-and-tell” demonstrating dances from various world musical cultures, including dances of Egypt, India & Central Asia.

  • The Broken Sound

    An extraordinarily candid, behind-the-scenes look at THE OTHER EUROPEANS and their exploration of music and cultural identity.

  • Anthony Russell (New York)

    African-American by birth and Jewish by choice, Anthony Russell’s heartfelt program of Yiddish art song evokes Sidor Belarsky and Paul Robeson.

  • Eatala: A Life in Klezmer

    A loving portrait of drummer ELAINE HOFFMAN WATTS and her incredible family legacy featuring performances and interviews.

  • Festival Finale

    The Festival comes to a rousing close with a series of performances by some of this year’s headline artists, culminating in a massive jam session.

  • Ventanas (Toronto)

    Ventanas explores many musical forms and languages from flamenco palos to Balkan broken rhythms, Sephardic diaspora to Hutsul Ukraine.

  • Canadian Cabaret

    A showcase of some of the leading new artists and veterans of the Canadian Jewish music scene. Hosted by the members of FINJAN.

  • Marky Weinstock (Toronto)

    Join this acclaimed entertainer for LITTLE SUPERSTARS: A MUSIC CIRCLE FOR BABIES & TODDLERS, a special event for very young children.

  • Mitch Smolkin (Toronto)

    Yiddish radio matinee idol Seymour Rexite is brought to life in this entertaining retrospective accompanied by renowned pianist Nina Shapilsky.

  • Judith Cohen (Toronto)

    From inquisition to internet: the musical world of the Portuguese Marranos. A lecture from Canada’s pre-eminent Sephardic specialist.

  • Dan Yashinsky (Toronto)

    In a tribute to the late children’s writer and illustrator Maurice Sendak, Ashkenaz presents a two-part series with Toronto storyteller Dan Yashinsky.

  • Parade Band Tune-Up

    Calling all musicians! Learn the tunes that accompany the Ashkenaz Parade, the Festival's signature event, around Harbourfront Centre.

  • Toronto Jewish Folk Choir

    The Toronto Jewish Folk Choir is the oldest continuing Jewish performing group in Canada. Conducted by Alexander Veprinsky.

  • Freydi Mrocki (Australia)

    An overview of Australian-Jewish history, focusing particularly on the cultural life of Melbourne’s Yiddish community in the second half of the 20th century.

  • Festival Havdallah

    Ashkenaz marks the end of Shabbat and the beginning of weekend festival events with the one of the most beloved Jewish rituals, Havdallah.

  • Masterclass: Parade Production

    The 2012 Festival Parade Masterclass offers a fun and dynamic experience for enthusiastic and creative people of all ages!

  • Parade Crafts

    Help create the festival’s largest work of art! Assisted by Shadowland Theatre, kids can create their own costumes & props for the Ashkenaz Parade on Monday.

  • Papercutting Workshop

    Learn the technique of papercutting, a traditional folk art used by cultural communities around the world, from Toronto-based Kosa Kolektiv.

  • Community Klezmer Showcase

    A lively showcase of dynamic local community groups and exciting, up-and-coming new ensembles in the Toronto klezmer scene.

  • Artistic Directors Forum

    A panel discussion featuring programmers from Jewish & world music festivals across North America, examining issues & trends in their field.

  • Di Schaechter Techter on Film

    Attracting a new generation to Yiddish song, the dynamic Schaechter Sisters bring to life the youth of their grandparents in Eastern Europe.

  • Café Noah

    A compelling documentary about Jewish-Arabic musicians who emigrated to Israel in 1948 to find that their music was not valued in their new homeland.

  • Curatorial Talk

    Curator Lindy Green interviews Diana Gordon, daughter of Ira Moskowitz, in a curatorial talk that will provide a personal context to the exhibition.

  • Fellowship of the Strings

    Learn lively dance tunes and soulful nigunim and perform live at Ashkenaz in this intensive MASTERCLASS WITH VERETSKI PASS.

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