Ashkenaz is pleased to once again participate with a number of other community organizations in the second edition of “IGNITE!”, a community-wide celebration of Chanukah through arts and culture experiences. Join us Thursday December 7, 6pm, at Beth Tzedec Congregation (1700 Bathurst St.) for a jam-packed program that will be both inspirational and celebratory. IGNITE! opens with an intergenerational, songful candle-lighting, then breaks into a choose-your-own-adventure of arts-based workshops and study sessions. In between these sessions enjoy an eclectic program of short musical performances featuring Aviva Rajsky, Ma’ayan Band, and the duo of Martin van de Ven & Brian Katz. Come early or late, stay a little or stay the whole time. Kosher food available for purchase.
Full program information is available here. Musical performances, curated by Ashkenaz, will take place as follows:
MA’AYAN BAND – 6:30pm
Formed in 2016, Ma’ayan Band is dedicated to preserving and revitalizing ancient Jewish traditional tunes, sung in multiple languages. Featuring musicians with Israeli and east European roots, they are driven by a shared passion for delivering a powerful message of unity and connection. In every note they play and every lyric they sing, Ma’ayan Band invites listeners on a journey that transcends time and space. Ma’ayan Band seeks to unlock the transformative power of music and the boundless possibilities that arise when disparate elements come together in perfect harmony. The quartet features Dina Levin (vocals, percussion), Alexey Reznik (guitar, oud), Dima Graziani (keyboard) and Ivan Dolgunov (violin).
NESHAMAYIM – 8:20pm
Singer/composer Aviva Rajsky and guitarist/composer Tom Bellman started playing music together in church. Well, actually, in synagogue. And they still do, at Congregation Habonim of Toronto, which has some of the most unconventional and inspired music accompanying its services. But they also make their own music, ranging into jazz, R&B and country/roots. For IGNITE! they have formed a new, expanded ensemble to present a set of original songs rooted in Jewish texts and prayers but shaped by their eclectic musical aesthetic. They will be joined by Jim Gelcer (percussion), Neil Gardiner (keys), and Jesse Visser (bass).
COLLECTED STORIES PROJECT – 10:10pm
The internationally acclaimed duo of Martin van de Ven and Brian Katz brings together a variety of musical traditions and influences informed by the diversity within the Klezmer music world and by their own rich musical backgrounds. Jazz, Classical, New Music, Bulgarian, Middle-Eastern and African influences are integrated in ways that extend tradition and generate new musical understandings that speak to our time. Their performances, featuring clarinet with guitar and piano, combine original compositions, Klezmer classics, new nigunim and multiple other influences into a singular sound that has received an enthusiastic critical response.
COST
Adult and Teens Track – Suggested $20 per person
The Family/Kid’s Track admission ($30 per family of four, $2 per additional child) provides access to the inter-generational communal candle-lighting at 6:00 p.m. and to a shorter program for families with kids ages 5 to 12, with a light kosher dinner included.
IGNITE! is presented jointly by The Holy Blossom Temple Centre for Arts and Culture, Annex Shul, Ashkenaz Foundation, Beth Tzedec Congregation, City Shul, Danforth Jewish Circle, First Narayever Congregation, Makom: Creative Downtown Judaism, Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre, Congregation Shir Libeynu, Temple Sinai Congregation, and the UJA Committee for Yiddish.
1700 Bathurst St.
