PRESS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE- February 1, 2024

See you at KlezmerQuerque 2024, Albuquerque’s 22nd annual festival of klezmer music and dance March 1-3 (Friday-Sunday). KlezmerQuerque is an internationally recognized festival featuring Jewish traditional dance, Yiddish folk songs and 'klezmer' instrumental music rooted in the traditional wedding ceremonies of the Eastern European Jewish people. Join us for three days of music, dancing, concerts and hands-on workshops with featured guest artists.

KlezmerQuerque 2024 brings The Strauss/ Warschauer Duo (https://www.klezmerduo.com/) to New Mexico. Deborah Strauss (violin, accordion, vocals, dance) and Cantor Jeff Warschauer (guitar, mandolin, vocals) have been at the forefront of the international klezmer and Yiddish music scene for more than 30 years. Known as sweet and soulful performers, they draw from klezmer, Yiddish, Hasidic and liturgical music and culture, adding their own original compositions and song settings. Their music is grounded in tradition, yet thoroughly contemporary. Deborah and Jeff were both longtime members of the renowned Klezmer Conservatory Band, one of the premiere groups of the klezmer revival, and have performed with legendary violinist Itzhak Perlman on film and in concert and with the celebrated late actor and singer Theodore Bikel at the Art of Yiddish in Los Angeles.

The 2024 festival is also featuring the internationally-acclaimed teacher of Yiddish dance, Avia Moore who leads Yiddish dance workshops for festivals and events around the world. She coaches emerging dance leaders, and works as a consultant for choreographers, directors, and teachers seeking to engage with Yiddish movement. Avia lives in Montreal, Canada and is the Artistic Director of KlezKanada. She has worked extensively as a creative producer with festivals and cultural organizations across North America as well as on individual artistic projects in North America and Europe.

Friday, March 1st from 6:30-9:15pm KlezmerQuerque begins with Der Freylekher Shabes free opening event. All are welcome to any part of the evening’s festivities and the doors open at 6:00pm. From 6:30-7:30pm Cantor Beth Cohen, The Nahalat Shalom Community Klezmer Band and Rikud dancers will lead the joyous participatory danceable klezmer Shabes service plus an inspiring story from Maggidah Batya Podos. At 7:30pm the vegetarian potluck dinner will begin and at 8:00pm, The Rebbe’s Orkestra-ABQ’s own Klezmer & Judaic Band will give a brief performance of Jewish music from the Mizrahi tradition with a Syrian Hanuka pizmon (poetic hymn) and a classical middle-eastern belly dance suite (dancers, bring your veils and finger cymbals!). Featured guest musicians Deborah Strauss and Cantor Jeff Warschauer will share a short set of their sweet soulful sounds and the evening will round up with traditional Jewish dancing led by guest dance artist Avia Moore to the joyous music of The Community Klezmer Band.

On Saturday, March 2nd at 7:00pm (doors at 6:30pm), the beloved Strauss/Warschauer Duo offers their concert “Efnt Dem Toyer: Open the Gate!” about love, unity, and the strength of Di Goldene Keyt, the golden chain of Yiddish culture that spans the generations. Following the concert there will be a dance party with guest Yiddish dance leader Avia Moore to the lively music of The Rebbe’s Orkestra-Klezmer & Judaic Band- an Albuquerque favorite since 1996. Tickets are $18 in advance and $20 at the door.

On Sunday, March 3rd there are three workshop sessions with the guest artists. In session #1 from 10:30-11:30am Avia Moore will lead a gentle warm-up dance workshop for all levels. Session #2 is from 1:30-3:00pm and session #3 is from 3:30-5:15pm. Festival attendees will choose from the dance or music workshops being offered. In session #2 the choices are ‘Core Yiddish dance repertoire’ or ‘Yiddish songs and melodies of Nature’, and session #3 choices are ‘Dance repertoire from our neighbors’ or ‘Yiddish Songs and klezmer instrumental melodies of Ukraine.’ Each workshop session costs $18 in advance or $20 at the door.

All people wishing to attend KlezmerQuerque 2024 should go to the web site ticket page: https://www.nahalatshalom.org/klezmerquerque-tickets and register on-line by listing which events they will attend. No one will be turned away for lack of funds and there is a free all event pass available: Please note that a minimum ticket/donation of $18.00 in advance ($20 at the door) is requested for each of these four events: Saturday Night Concert/Dance Party and each of the three Sunday workshop sessions. For all festival information please visit: https://www.nahalatshalom.org/klezmerquerque-2024
For more information please contact festival coordinator Cantor Beth Cohen at: cohenedmunds@netzero.net
Or the Nahalat Shalom office at 505-343-8227. All events take place at Nahalat Shalom which is located at 3606 Rio Grande Blvd. NW, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87107.