Yiddishe Pirat

I recently documented the performance of klezmer supergroup, Yiddishe Pirat (translated as Yiddish Pirate) at the Evans Amphitheater in Cleveland Heights, Ohio's Cain Park. They were part of the 42nd Annual Yiddish Concert in the Park. The concert was the brainchild of Vulfpeck drummer Jack Stratton, and featured klezmer virtuosos Michael Winograd on clarinet and Joshua "SoCalled" Dolgin on keyboards. These cats can play. Schayne schayne musik.

Massive thanks to Shawn Fink of Radio-J.com. Kol Hakavod.

Yiddishe Cup and Tischler Klezmer Orchestra

I recently photographed two bands, Yiddishe Cup, and the Tischler Klezmer Orchestra at the Evans Amphitheater, in Cleveland Heights, Ohio's Cain Park,  prior to the performance of klezmer supergroup Yiddishe Pirat. They were part of the 42nd Annual Yiddish Concert in the Park. 

Yiddishe Cup clarinetist Bert Stratton is the father of Vulfpeck drummer (and member of Yiddishe Pirat) Jack Stratton. The Tischler Klezmer Orchestra was formerly known as the Workman's Circle Klezmer Orchestra.

Big thanks to Shawn Fink of Radio-J.com. 

Unbound/We Paused- exhibition

My friend and colleague Sushmita Mazumdar included some of my work covering the January 6th 2021 U.S. Capitol Riot in a show she curated "Unbound" at the 3700 Gallery in Arlington VA. The other artists in the exhibition associated with Sushs' Studio Pause are Sughra Hussainy, Selia Santiago, Susan Sterner, Mary Louise Marino, and Ella Endo. Interesting work.

We PAUSED! Unbound is a year-long exhibit in response to the 2021 project We PAUSED! A Handmade Book by Studio PAUSE for Gates of Ballston, which chronicles a year of the COVID-19 pandemic. When Arlington Arts invited Studio PAUSE to turn the book into an exhibit, the project team decided to cut the strings that bound the book and re-imagine its contents in a new light, letting lines of poetry pulled from the book inspire four thematic installations.

FY: A fifth picture, included here, was not considered appropriate for the exhibition, as many children use the space, also. I have included it as it exemplifies much of the nature of the rioters.

Thanks to Sushmita for this first of four planned exhibitions of the work of Studio Pause.

17th Anniversary

 

For my dear Ruth.

 Seventeen years today.

You are a blessing to all who know you.

It just keeps getting better.

Refugee Integration in Virginia | Stories - for the Ethiopian Community Development Council

I was the chief photographer for the project "Refugee Integration in Virginia,"  for the Ethiopian Community Development Council (ECDC). ECDC profiled a number of refugees to the state as well as organizations and individuals that provide support for new immigrants in need. The work was sponsored by a grant from Virginia Humanities.

A storytelling event and exhibition was held at ECDC's headquarters on July 15, 2022.

Pictured are: Ahmad Luqman, Engeela Sharifi and family, Kenneth Speicher, Lisa McQuail, Mohammad Dawar Hakimi, Reza Yawari  and family, Todd Endo, Wendy Chan, and Zakira Qayum and family.

Thanks to Aleen Wright, Dr. Tsehaye Teferra, Dr. Azeb Girgai, and the rest of the staff at ECDC, and to the brave refugees and their kind-hearted helpers who participated in the project.

Evening walk with Ruth

Reston, VA, twilight