Julia Sues For Freedom | Ball Sellers House

A play, "Julia Sues For Freedom" was staged at the Ball-Sellers House in the Glencarlyn neighborhood of Arlington,Virginia. This play, put on by the Guillotine Theatre tells the true story of Julia Roberts' successful 1842 petition in court to insure her freedom from enslaverment, in a case that went to the Supreme Court. Julia was a resident of what is today Arlington County. 

The drama was co-sponsored by the Arlington Historical Society and the Black Heritage Museum of Arlington.

The actors were: Julia Roberts- by Lisa Hill Corley; Judge William Cranch by Sean Denniston; Attorney Robert Brent by Ricardo Frederick Evans; and Attorney Christopher Neale by Ken Jackson

Additional information is  here. 

Baymele in concert

I recently photographed the fine Bay Area klezmer ensemble Baymele. Their DC concert was co-sponsored by my congregation, Fabrangen, and the good folks at the DC Klezmer Workshop.

Baymele is: Matthew Stein - violin; Dmitri Gaskin - accordion; and Misha Khalikulov - cello.

Shayne shayne musik.  

Mrs. Toretsky’s Nightmare | Reception for "A Joyful Noise" | Pozez JCC.

Mrs. Toretsky’s Nightmare played a klezmer music concert in conjunction with Lloyd Wolf’s “A Joyful Noise”exhibition reception at the Bodzin Gallery of the Pozez Jewish Community Center.

Many thanks to Zina Segal and curator Sarah Berry of the JCC.

The musicians: Trumpets, Abe Plaut & Howard Ungar; Drums and vocals, Rachel Goldsmith, Accordion; Aaron Blacksberg; Accordion and piccolo- Melissa Wilets; Tuba, Mark Haag; String bass, Tom Armstrong; Tenor saxophone, Noah Guthman.

Electric Rose | Ilya Shneyveys and Sarah Myerson

Electric Rose, the new project of klezmer/Yiddish musicians Ilya Shneyveys and Sarah Myerson based on the musical legacy of Rose Cohen, recently performed at Bossa Bistro in Washington, DC. 

The concert was dense, beautiful, hypnotic, and multifaceted; powerfully integrating tradition into the present moment.

"Efnt Dem Toyer - Open the Gate!" | Jeff Warschauer, Deborah Strauss, and Zilyin Biret

A klezmer workshop, concert and jam session by Jeff Warschauer,  Deborah Strauss, and Zilyin Biret was held at the Homewood Friends Meeting House in Baltimore, Maryland. Thanks to the event sponsor, the Baltimorim, especially organizer Judy Sweet. A great night of music, dancing, and heymishe Yiddishkeit.