International Folk Dance Association   of University City presents . . .
	Past Event Page  •  IFDA Home Page

Steve Weintraub
in a workshop on 
Klezmer Dances
with live music by the St. Louis Klezmer band 
Yidn

January 18 - 20, 2002
University City (St. Louis), Missouri

Wooden synagogue in Jurborg, Lithuania Built 1790, renovated 1870, destroyed in World War II (from Wooden Synagogues of Poland in the 17th and 18th Century by Moshe Verbin)

Klezmer, the Yiddish word for musicians, is derived from the Hebrew kleyzmer or "vessel of song".  The klezmorim were itinerant musicians who played for weddings in the Jewish villages of Eastern Europe as far back as 500 years ago.  In recent decades, Klezmer has come to refer to the danceable repertoire drawn from and influenced by Jewish musicians who came from Eastern Europe to the United States in the early decades of the 20th century.  Many of these immigrants came from musical families who played for Jewish and non-Jewish celebrations in an eclectic mixture of ethnic styles including Gypsy, Romanian, Hungarian, Ukrainian, Russian, Polish, Greek, and Jewish.  In many Jewish communities, the beautiful traditional dances accompanying this music have been lost over time.  Here is an opportunity to learn some of these dances from a nationally recognized authority on authentic Eastern European dances, and also to dance them to live music provided by a Klezmer band.  The workshop will be accessible to people of all levels; many of these dances can be done by those with no prior experience.  No partners are needed.

Friday, January 18 Church of the Holy Communion (see Locations below) 7:30 - 10:00 p.m. Workshop session $7   Saturday, January 19 Church of the Holy Communion 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Workshop session $7    12:00 - 1:30 p.m. Lunch $5    1:30 - 4:00 p.m. Workshop session $7    5:30 - 7:00 p.m. Banquet $10    7:30 - 10:45 p.m. Int'l Folk Dance Party $5/10 * Sunday, January 20 Saint Louis Hillel (see Locations below) 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Workshop session $7 ** 12:00 - 2:00 p.m. Lunch on your own   2:00 - 4:00 p.m. Workshop review $7 **  * Dance party when paid for individually (at the door)     is $5 for IFDA members and $10 for non-members. ** Sunday workshop sessions are $5 for Washington     University students when paid for individually.

Schedule and Prices

A weekend package is available for $50 including the two Saturday meals, or $35 without the meals.  Both packages include all workshop sessions and the Saturday night party as well as a syllabus.  For those who prefer not to buy the package, individual sessions and the party may be paid for at the door (see schedule for prices).  Meals may also be ordered individually.  Meal reservations (individual or in a package) must be received no later than Saturday, January 12.  You may use the registration form to make reservations.

A 20% discount on weekend packages, and on individual payments at the door, is available for students.  Children under 10 are free but must be accompanied by a parent.  A limited number of scholarships are available for IFDA members; call Barbara Uhlemann at 314-726-5838 to apply.

About the Teacher and Band

Steve Weintraub is a nationally recognized authority on authentic Eastern European dance.  Born on Governor's Island and Bar Mitzvahed in the Bronx, he received his dance training in Manhattan with Alvin Ailey and Erick Hawkins.  Steve has a special gift for sharing the style, flavor, steps, and figures of Klezmer tradition, and is enthusiastically recommended by folks who have attended the annual KlezKamp and other events at which he has taught.  He has personally researched the dance material, and has an upbeat and humorous teaching style as well as a commitment to presenting authentic dances.  In the Midwest he is known from the highly successful "Klezmer Affair" weekend which took place in Madison, Wisconsin in 2000.

Yidn is a four-piece traditional Klezmer band based in St. Louis, consisting of Jeff Miller (mandolin), Jeremy Brown (violin), Paul Wexler (clarinet), and Iggy Teimann (bass).  Its sound is more akin to small Eastern European Klezmer bands than to the large brass bands that have appeared in America since 1915.  Yidn has appeared in concerts for various Jewish organizations, opened a concert at Cicero's Restaurant for the New Orleans Klezmer All-Stars, and currently plays regularly at Brandt's Market & Café in the Delmar Loop in University City. 

To hear Eastern European music, including the type of dance music that will be heard at this workshop, tune in to Music from the Hills on Saturdays from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. on radio station KDHX, 88.1 FM in St. Louis.

Locations

Church of the Holy Communion (Friday and Saturday):  7401 Delmar Blvd., University City, Missouri. The church is on the northwest corner of Delmar and Jackson (see Map and Guide to IFDA Events). Park on either street and enter through the red double door in the middle of the L-shaped building.

With Support From

Saint Louis Hillel at Washington University (Sunday):  6300 Forsyth Blvd., the sixth building west of Skinker on the south side of Forsyth (see map for approximate location).  Parking is available in the front or back, or on either side of the street.  The workshop sessions will be in the auditorium.  Directions will also be available at the Saturday sessions.

Other Information

Meals:  Saturday lunch and dinner will feature ethnic dishes.  Sunday lunch is on your own, and can be enjoyed in one of the many restaurants located on Delmar in University City, about a mile from Hillel.  For information please call Nancy Couture at 314-275-8228.

Crash Space is available.  Please call Diana Blanchard at 314-726-5737.

For Other Information:  Contact John and Barbara Uhlemann (phone 314-726-5838, E-mail BUhlemann@aol.com), or Rex and Nancy Couture (home 314-275-8228, work 314-935-4194, E-mail couture@primary.net).

Views and opinions expressed on this page are strictly those of the International Folk Dance Association of University City, which is not sponsored by or otherwise connected with Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville.