Atlanta Jewish Times - AJMF 8 Preview Section

Globally recognized Israeli artists covering the Beastie Boys, Afro-Cuban Jewish jazz and an assortment of Purim celebrations designed to appeal to all ages are just a few of the events in store for attendees of the eighth annual Atlanta Jewish Music Festival March 2-19. Read all about AJMF8 in this special pullout section.

MARCH 3 â–Ş 2017

AJMF8 Preview

15

Bigger, Better, NOW! Check out the new and improved

www.atlantajewishtimes.com We have partnered with Times of Israel and other Jewish sites around the world and our online community is now a hub for all your news.

MARCH 3 â–Ş 2017

Keeping Jewish Atlanta and the Southeast Connected!

16

Let us know what you think by emailing david@atljewishtimes.com or call 404-883-2130.

ATLANTA JEWISH MUSIC FESTIVAL 8

www.atlantajewishtimes.com

Raichel Continues AJMF’s International Tradition Idan Raichel is one of the most celebrated Israeli artists and has performed on some of the world’s biggest stages. Although he considers his music Israeli, global audiences have rendered him an international icon who continues to break barriers through his unique style of music.

When Atlanta Jewish Music Festival Executive Director Russell Gottschalk learned that Raichel would be performing at City Winery Atlanta on March 17, he contacted Jewish owners Ed Greer and Michael Dorf to schedule Raichel in the program. “Idan came at an opportune time for us, and we knew he would be a great addition to the festival,” Gottschalk said. “The festival has grown a lot, and we’re always thinking of how we can produce events and who they are presented by.”

This isn’t the first time the AJMF has partnered with another organization or institution to promote an event.

In 2016 the AJMF worked with the Kehilla in Sandy Springs to support the congregation’s fundraising efforts. The program drew over 500 attendees.

“There are certain opportunities that you just have to pursue,” Gottschalk said.

Raichel has performed with globally recognized artists such as Alicia Keys, India.Arie and Dave Matthews.

His background in music began at age 9 when he started playing the accordion. It wasn’t the coolest instrument, Raichel said, but it gave him an introduction to Israeli folk music and planted the foundation for his music career.

He later took up jazz piano and, after entering a band during his service in the army, began playing classical music.

Raichel’s Israeli background and combination of musical influences soon led him to start the Idan Raichel Project, a series of concerts in conjunction with various international artists.

Israel has become renowned for its variety of music genres and artists, but what sets the performers apart is their attachment to their homeland.

“It’s a miracle we are coming from Israel and can play our music as Israeli music around the world, especially when we get an invitation from a promoter outside our beloved country. I am always excited to hear how many people are eager to attend the concert,” Raichel said.

“Music opens so many doors for

Raichel Project was the first to elevate minority voices to Israel’s main street radio. We lifted Palestinian voices in the music arena and integrated artists from Ethiopia. Our mission is to open the ears and hearts of radio DJs across the world so we Photo by Toni Delong and Gabriella from Teev Events Israeli Idan Raichel brings his international may continue to have a sound to City Winery Atlanta on March 17. positive impact.”

Along with Israeli young artists who wish to express their hip-hop artists Axum, Peled and Sagol voice and come forward within the 59, Raichel continues the Atlanta Jewmusic industry,” he said. “This is particularly true for minorities. The Idan ish Music Festival’s tradition of featur-

ing globally known international artists as headliners in the spring festival, after A-WA in 2016 and Yael Deckelbaum and Diwan Saz in 2015.

Raichel is one of many artists at this year’s AJMF who will help break borders by exposing audience members to a cultural experience unlike any other. “I would like my music to unite people,” he said. “I am very honored to play in any festival but especially one at which I can represent my roots. It’s important to hear international artists because they represent the soundtrack of their country of origin. If people remember this concert as Israeli, that would be the greatest honor for me.” ■

MARCH 3 ▪ 2017

By Sarah Moosazadeh sarah@atljewishtimes.com

17

ATLANTA JEWISH MUSIC FESTIVAL 8

www.atlantajewishtimes.com

Licensed to Isra-Ill

AJMF partners with ATL Collective for Beastie Boys revival

By Rachel Fayne Gruskin For the first time, the Atlanta Jewish Music Festival will partner with local album-cover live music series ATL Collective to re-create the classic Beastie Boys album “Licensed to Ill.” On Saturday, March 18, at the Buckhead Theatre, the partnership will produce a show that covers the entire album and features Israeli hip-hop artists Axum, Peled and Sagol 59, as well as a live band, to mimic the authenticity of the original album’s sound.

The 18-day festival is in its eighth installment and may experience its largest turnout yet this year, said Russell Gottschalk, the festival’s founder and executive director.

Events are scheduled for various locations throughout metro Atlanta and include an acoustic Shabbat, an international night and the Hunger Walk/Run. But the partnership of AJMF and

ATL Collective is expected to be one of the biggest draws of the festival.

ATL Collective was born out of a desire to connect eclectic music scenes across Atlanta and introduce new artists to fans of classic works in an effort to honor and relive the music.

The music that is covered is typically no less than 20 years old, and shows are produced on a monthly baProduced by a partnership between the AJMF and ATL Collective, Israeli hip-hop artists Axum, Peled and Sagol 59 will perform at the Buckhead Theatre on March 18. sis.

Although each show elements at play. Besides Israeli hip- on currently with timelessness,” Dalfeatures different musicians in an ar- hop artists Axum, Peled and Sagol 59, ton said. “We want people to feel like ray of genres, ATL Collective co-found- all three of the Beastie Boys (Michael they’re discovering their new favorite er Micah Dalton aimed to do some- “Mike D” Diamond, Adam “Ad-Rock” Atlanta artist while singing their old thing different and innovative in this Horovitz and Adam “MCA” Yauch) are favorite songs.” first partnership with AJMF. Jewish.

The concert will be among the last The decision to relive “Licensed to The show will be a rare opportu- events of the festival.

Ill” was born out of the desire to fea- nity for Beastie Boys fans to hear old Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 ture at least one Jewish artist and put favorites with a unique Atlanta twist. at the door. They can be purchased on on a one-of-a-kind show with different “We work to mix what’s going the AJMF site (atlantajmf­.org). ■

No Sleep Till Tel Aviv

By Rachel Fayne Gruskin

MARCH 3 ▪ 2017

The Atlanta Jewish Music Festival will host Israeli hip-hop artists Axum, Peled and Sagol 59 as they cover the Beastie Boys’ classic album “Licensed to Ill” on March 18 at the Buckhead Theatre. ATL Collective is teaming up with the AJMF to produce the performance.

Ahead of the show, we caught up with Peled and Sagol 59 to discuss everything from Arab collaborations to pre-show spoilers.

Q: How did you become involved with ATL Collective and the AJMF? Sagol 59: Last year I performed in Atlanta with my Hebrew Grateful Dead project, called the Promised Land.

That’s when I hooked up with Russell Gottschalk and Drew Cohen, and they kindly invited me to this year’s AJMF to show another side of my career — that of a hip-hop emcee. I’ve had quite a long career as a rapper — something like 17 years so far — and I have performed several times in the U.S. and Europe. I also toured the U.S. when I was signed to Jewish New York-based record label JDub Records.

Q: Where is your home base?

Peled: We’re in Tel Aviv, and we 18 made a small tour and vacation out of

Israeli hip-hop artists Sagol 59 (left) and Peled have been heavily influenced by the Beastie Boys and say they are excited to see the AJMF crowd in Atlanta.

the trip.

Sagol 59: I’m coming especially for the show, and I’m continuing to do more shows on the East Coast during March.

Q: Planning anything special for the performance?

Sagol 59: I will be doing songs spanning my entire career. A few of them got some serious airplay here in the last decade, stretching as far back as 2003. I will also probably do some joint freestyles with the other performers.

Q: How long have you been performing?

Peled: I’ve been working as a solo artist for five years now, and I just released my second album this year, “Hakol Alay,” which translates to “Everything Is on Me.” I was happy to see it landed two songs in the local main charts so far.

Sagol 59: I started recording professionally around 1998, and my first album was the first-ever album of an Israeli solo emcee. I’ve released seven albums so far, plus many other projects and collaborations with Israeli as well as foreign artists. Apart from the hiphop albums, I also released a blues album and a Hebrew-language Grateful Dead tribute with singer-songwriter Ami Yares.

Q: How big of a Beastie Boys fan are you?

Peled: Actually, Beastie Boys were the reason I started listening to hiphop in the first place. I was listening to them even before I understood it fully.

When I was younger, I was mostly into rock, and that scene was much stronger back then. When I first listened to Beastie Boys and how they had their own mash-up and style, it made me

want to be a rapper and reinvent myself as they had back then.

Sagol 59: The Beastie Boys’ “Licensed to Ill” was one of the first rap records I owned, and I have many fond memories every time I listen to it. I had it on cassette tape when it first dropped.

I was also lucky to see them live in Tel Aviv in 1995. They are definitely one of my favorite hip-hop groups of all time.

Q: Anything else people should know?

Peled: I’m thankful and excited for the invite and very much waiting to see the Atlanta crowd live. I also wish to invite the local crowd to check me out on YouTube. Even if you don’t speak Hebrew, I believe music speaks louder than words.

Sagol 59: I believe that music is a wonderful platform and a great means of connection between people. I frequently collaborate with Arab and Palestinian artists as a way to establish dialogue and collaboration between people who are considered conflicted and often portrayed as rivals in the media. I try to use hip-hop with a lot of respect for the culture and as a musical medium that can reach just about anybody, regardless of race, gender, age, creed, belief, nationality or skin color.

I hope this will come through when we rock the stage in Atlanta! ■

ATLANTA JEWISH MUSIC FESTIVAL 8

www.atlantajewishtimes.com

Musical Journey to Canada, Ukraine, Cuba and Back The opening night of the eighth Atlanta Jewish Music Festival on March 2 will present trumpeter and composer David Buchbinder and his Odessa/Havana project, featuring his principal collaborator, Cuban pianist Hilario Duran, along with a six-piece band of top-notch jazz players.

“I like to think of it as Toronto music: It’s the most diverse city in the world,” Buchbinder said on the phone from Canada. “What it means is that artists at the foreground of this stuff have been creating new sounds out of the raw material of different cultures.

So I’m rooted in Jewish music but also open to many others (such as) jazz, which is kind of a yeast for raising new collaborations.”

Buchbinder and Duran started working together in 2007 when they recorded the first, self-titled “Odessa/ Havana” album. In 2008 they won World Group of the Year at the Canadian Folk Music Awards.

The band released another record, “Walk to the Sea,” in 2013, receiving a Juno Award for world music album and a glowing review in All About Jazz: “It’s a spot-on world music venture that stylizes indigenous concepts and applications from Spain, amid Jewish folk, Arabic and Afro-Cuban structural components, woven into a majestic concoction of radiant jazz-centric fare,” Glenn Astarita wrote.

“I do enjoy a temporary bump of warmth and validation from a nomination or award, and considering how challenging the life of an independent musician and artist can be, it’s nice to have some recognition,” Buchbinder said. “But that generally fades pretty quickly as the glow resolves itself into the question of ‘Now what?’ and ‘How am I going to get everything done that’s in front of me?’ Mostly, awards and their impact may be measured by how much they help me to do the work, to take it further than the time before, to create opportunities.”

When he’s not working, Buchbinder listens to jazz trumpeter Lee Morgan, Beethoven string quartets, James Brown, Leonard Cohen, klezmer clarinetist Dave Tarras, Frank Zappa and Cuban piano master Chucho Valdes, among others. He describes Duran as “a great Cuban pianist and composer who is also very open to the world. It was my inspiration to do this, but it was really both our compositions that

Eight-piece Afro-Cuban jazz outfit Odessa/Havana opens AJMF8 on March 2 at City Winery Atlanta.

created a unique sound, and it’s clearly drawing on the historical connection between Afro-Cuban and Jewish mu-

sic.”

The idea to do this project goes back 20 years, Buchbinder said. “I had

already been playing Afro-Cuban music before I got into Jewish stuff in a big way.” He thought the two styles were connected in some way but could not figure out why.

“I was sort of experimenting with it until I met him (Duran). After that, I could then explore it in a more authentic way.”

As to what AJMF attendees can expect, he said, “I always like potential audiences to know that our music manages to be both quite original and specific (as opposed to stylistically generic), to be composers’ music, but at the same time to have a kind of inevitability and accessibility.” ■

MARCH 3 ▪ 2017

By Kevin Madigan kmadigan@atljewishtimes.com

19

ATLANTA JEWISH MUSIC FESTIVAL 8

www.atlantajewishtimes.com

Meet the Featured Artists Sarah Aroeste

By David R. Cohen david@atljewishtimes.com

Get to know a few of the featured artists of the eighth Atlanta Jewish Music Festival, which will see 20 events over 18 days at venues across the city.

David Buchbinder’s Odessa/Havana

Performing: March 2 at City Winery Atlanta Sounds like: Spicy Cuban-andklezmer-inspired jazz Why you should go: Toronto-based jazz outfit Odessa/Havana, led by trumpeter and composer David Buchbinder, brings a blend of dance-happy world music to City Winery Atlanta on March 2 to kick off AJMF8. Attend the performance to witness a melodic trip from Eastern Europe to the Caribbean and back, with musical stops everywhere from Canada to Israel.

Yotam Silberstein Quartet

Performing: March 5 at a private residence in Dunwoody Sounds like: Pat Martino with a side of hummus Why you should go: New York-based Israeli jazz guitarist Yotam Silberstein is one of NYC’s most in-demand jazz artists, and his jazz chops have been called “exquisitely old school while bursting with joyful exuberance.” Silberstein continues the AJMF tradition of hosting elite Israeli jazz musicians after AJMF7 opened with jazz flutist Hadar Noiberg. Check out his house concert in Dunwoody if you’re a fan of quiet, smooth and complex virtuoso jazz guitar.

MARCH 3 ▪ 2017

Nick Edelstein

20

Performing: March 9 at Eddie’s Attic Sounds like: Stevie Ray Vaughanstein Why you should go: Winner of the 2017 AJMF songwriting commission contest, Nick Edelstein is one of the few local artists featured at AJMF8.

A multi-instrumentalist and composer, Edelstein is also one of the top blues guitarists in Atlanta and performed at AJMF2 in 2010 with his band Nick & The Grooves. Catch his performance during AJMF International Night at Eddie’s Attic with Sarah Aroeste and Foad Naraghi for hot guitar licks and unique world music sounds.

Performing: March 9, 11 and 12 at various venues Sounds like: Feminist Ladino rock Why you should go: Manhattan-based musician Sarah Aroeste is performing five times at AJMF8, so there are plenty of chances to catch her blend of JudeoSpanish rock. Attend one of her performances to hear a modern take on Ladino music, a form of Judaismo language that originated in the late 14th century.

Noah Aronson

Performing: March 17 at The Temple Sounds like: Maccabeats go electric Why you should go: Performing on the final Friday of AJMF8, Noah Aronson’s catchy and upbeat Judaic music is the perfect remedy for a long week at work or school. Attend Aronson’s performance for a spiritually uplifting Shabbat worship service to kick off your weekend.

Idan Raichel

Performing: March 17 at City Winery Atlanta Sounds like: Electronicassisted Israeli folk rock Why you should go: Idan Raichel is one of the most popular musicians in Israel and has a dedicated global following.

Catch his performance at City Winery Atlanta for a cerebral take on Israeli music over a tall glass of Pinot Noir at one of Atlanta’s premier concert venues.

Axum, Peled, Sagol 59

Performing: March 18 at Buckhead Theatre Sounds like: Homegrown Israeli hip-hop Why you should go: Sagol 59 is known at the “godfather of Israeli hip-hop.”

Axum is an in-your-face dance hall hip-hop duo from the mean streets of Netanya.

Peled’s heavy beats and quick rhymes will get you up on your feet and dancing.

Don’t miss three of the best Israeli hip-hop acts covering the Beastie Boys’ “Licensed to Ill,” one of the most iconic hip-hop albums of all time. Attend this concert if you’re a fan of Israeli hip-hop or the Beastie Boys or if you just like drinking cheap beer and hearing Hebrew words like shalat rhymed with hummus and salat.

ATLANTA JEWISH MUSIC FESTIVAL 8

www.atlantajewishtimes.com

18 Days of Jewish Music The Atlanta Community Food Bank raises awareness for hunger relief with a 5K walk/run.

Noon. Open to All. 755 Hank Aaron Drive, Atlanta

THURSDAY, MARCH 2

Atlanta Lovers of Music House Concert featuring Yotam Silberstein Quartet Israeli guitarist brings his signature style of improvisation and melody to AJMF. 5:30 p.m.

Tickets are $25 advance, $30 door. Open to All. Private Dunwoody residence (address provided after purchase)

Opening Night featuring Odessa/Havana Hailing from Toronto, Odessa/ Havana will take audiences on a cultural journey of Jewish melodies and Cuban rhythms led by award winning trumpeter David Buchbinder. Show at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15-$36. 21+.

City Winery Atlanta, 650 North Ave., Midtown

FRIDAY, MARCH 3

The Well featuring Rabbi David Spinrad and Sammy Rosenbaum Let the spirit of Judaism touch your soul during the Well. Rabbi Spinrad of The Temple takes his monthly service to City Winery for AJMF8. 7:30 p.m.

Free. Open to young adults.

City Winery Atlanta, 650 North Ave., Midtown

SATURDAY, MARCH 4

Sefardic Musical Journeys Join Atlanta-based jazz pianist David Marcus and an international ensemble on a musical odyssey through Sephardic lands. 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 advance, $20 door. Open to all.

Congregation Beth Haverim, 2074 LaVista Road, Toco Hills Young Adult Purim Party Join the Marcus JCC and the AJMF for the Young Adult Purim Party. Admission includes six beer tastings. 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 advance, $20 door. 21+.

Orpheus Brewing, 1440 Dutch Valley Place, Midtown

SUNDAY, MARCH 5

ACFB Hunger Walk/Run featuring AJMF All-Stars

THURSDAY, MARCH 9

International Night featuring Nick Edelstein, Foad Naraghi and Sarah Aroeste AJMF songwriting commission winner Nick Edelstein performs with international artists Foad Naraghi and Sarah Aroeste. 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 advance, $15 door. 18+.

Eddie’s Attic, 515 N. McDonough St., Decatur

FRIDAY, MARCH 10

Acoustic Shabbat featuring Rabbi Brian Glusman and Drew Cohen Join Rabbi Glusman as he leads a special AJMF Shabbat service.

7 p.m. Free. Open to all. Crema Espresso Gourmet, 2458 Mount Vernon Road, Dunwoody

SATURDAY, MARCH 11

Ahavath Achim Purim Shpiel featuring MarlaTov Cocktails Free. 18+.

600 Peachtree Battle Ave., Buckhead

Bet Haverim’s Intergenerational Purim Celebration 6 p.m. Free. Open to all.

Congregation Bet Haverim, 2074 LaVista Road, Toco Hills Beth Tikvah’s Mel Brooksthemed Purim Shpiel Beth Tikvah reformatted music from Mel Brooks movies for a night of shtick and fun. Maariv 7:30 p.m. Shpiel/Megillah reading 8 p.m. Free. 18+.

Temple Beth Tikvah, 9955 Coleman Road, Roswell Beth Shalom’s Megillah and Tequila featuring Chaverim Join Congregation Beth Shalom for Goza Tequila and costumes.

Megillah reading 7:30 p.m.

Music, tequila and dancing 8:30 p.m. 18+.

Congregation Beth Shalom, 5303 Winters Chapel Road, Dunwoody Ladino Shabbat Jam featuring Sarah Aroeste Sarah Aroeste closes out Shabbat with her unique sound accompanied by local musicians. Service 7:30 p.m.

Oneg after. Free. Open to all.

Congregation Or Hadash, 7460 Trowbridge Road, Sandy Springs

SUNDAY, MARCH 12

Purim Family Concert featuring Sarah Aroeste AMJF and the Marcus JCC host a Purim celebration for kids. 10 a.m. Free. Open to all.

Marcus JCC, 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody Teen Battle of the Bands

High-schoolers compete in a battle of the bands. 4:30 p.m. $5 per person, $18 per family.

Open to all.

Dunwoody Nature Center, 5343 Roberts Drive, Dunwoody Temple Sinai’s Shushan Adult Purim Celebration Enjoy dinner and a musical featuring lyrics adapted from “Chicago.” Dinner 6 p.m. Shpiel 7:15 p.m. $20. 18+.

Temple Sinai, 5645 Dupree Drive, Sandy Springs

FRIDAY MARCH 17

Shabbat Worship Service featuring Noah Aronson Noah Aronson leads Shabbat services with his soulful acoustic inspirations. 6 p.m. Free.

Open to all.

The Temple, 1589 Peachtree St., Midtown Idan Raichel Experience the music of one of Israel’s most popular rock stars. 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. Tickets $48-$75. 21+.

City Winery Atlanta, 650 North Ave., Midtown

SATURDAY, MARCH 18

ATL Collective Presents Licensed to Ill Israeli rappers Axum, Peled, and Sagol 59 cover the Beastie Boys’ “Licensed to Ill” album live. Tickets are $20 advance, $25 door. 18+.

Buckhead Theatre, 3110 Roswell Road, Buckhead

SUNDAY, MARCH 19

Molly Blank Jewish Concert Series Theatrical Outfit presents “Baby That Is Rock ’n’ Roll,” music from 1956 to 1966. $18 with code AJMF2. Open to all.

Breman Museum, 1440 Spring 21 St., Midtown MARCH 3 ▪ 2017

The eighth edition of the Atlanta Jewish Music Festival features 20 events over 18 days and includes local, national and international artists performing at venues across the city. For tickets visit atlantajmf.org.

ATLANTA JEWISH MUSIC FESTIVAL 8

www.atlantajewishtimes.com

Photo courtesy of Dror-Forshee Photography

Sarah Aroeste is scheduled for five performances during AJMF8.

Lost Language of AJMF8

Noah Aronson (above) will perform in Augusta, and Marla Feeney of the MarlaTov Cocktails will perform in Brunswick as part of AJMF’s artist exchange.

Sarah Aroeste brings Ladino to Atlanta

By Sarah Moosazadeh sarah@atljewishtimes.com

MARCH 3 ▪ 2017

Sarah Aroeste is passionate about two things: loving Ladino music and sharing her culture with others. But that passion is not the only reason she was picked to perform five times at the eighth Atlanta Jewish Music Festival.

“Aroeste brings so much to this year’s festival, including her diverse cultural perspective,” AJMF Executive Director Russell Gottschalk said.

Aroeste’s life revolved around music throughout high school and college, where she trained in classical opera.

However, it was not until she moved to Israel that her interest in Ladino music grew, thanks in part to her music coach, who shared her Sephardic background.

Upon returning to the United States, Aroeste continued to perform classical music while integrating Ladino music each performance. The outcome was a success. “I had people come up to me and say that was their favorite part of the performance,” Aroeste said.

That’s when she realized Ladino music, not opera, was her true calling and decided to pursue it as a full-time career.

Ladino is a form of Judaea-Spanish or Judaismo language that originated in Spain. After the Spanish kicked out the Jewish inhabitants late in the 15th century, they immigrated to the Ottoman Empire, and Ladino became frozen in time.

Aroeste receives her inspiration from various music genres, including Israeli. “I really like Israeli music because the artists understand how to navigate between their ethnicity and music. However, I was also brought up on American music, rock ’n’ roll, contemporary, electronica, jazz and pop,” Aroeste said. She is proud of her iden22 tity and attributes her passion for La-

dino music to her ethnic background.

“Ladino contains a beautiful language and music, and I have been very fortunate to express myself through it for the past 15 years,” she said.

Her concerts incorporate entertainment and education as she informs audience members about her Sephardic background. “You don’t go into Ladino to become rich, but I love Ladino music and sharing it with people.

Music crosses so many borders, and Ladino is no exception. It is multifaceted, and the language and themes are universal,” Aroeste said. “Ladino is not dead, and the Jewish community can do so much to preserve it. After all, you can’t understand Jewish history without Sephardic culture.”

Aroeste is glad to be in this year’s AJMF. She will perform at International Night, the Ladino Shabbat Jam, the Ladino musical Purim party and a Purim family concert and at Epstein for a private event connecting children to Ladino and Sephardic music.

There are countless artists participating in this year’s AJMF, and each one is sure to entertain.

Gottschalk said that planning the AJMF is detailed. “We have so many talented artists we would like to invite but have limited slots. In programming Aroeste, we wanted to take full advantage of all she had to offer.”

Aroeste was a natural for Gottschalk to select because of her international background and recently released children’s album.

Aroeste enjoys working with Jewish and non-Jewish audiences and applauds Gottschalk for booking her for the AJMF. “It allows various community members to gain exposure to so many different cultures and promotes the importance of Jewish diversity for everyone.” ■

Artist Exchange Brings AJMF to More Ga. Cities

By Rachel Fayne Gruskin After launching a regional busing program at last year’s spring fest, the Atlanta Jewish Music Festival will tweak the program to bring artists to more communities instead of the other way around.

Rather than stick with the model of busing fans in from cities like Birmingham and Savannah to see Jewish music, the AJMF will now work with Atlanta artists to send them to the other communities.

Festival Executive Director Russell Gottschalk realized that perhaps other Southern communities weren’t familiar with the AJMF, and because the festival didn’t have a powerful brand awareness in those cities yet, the events weren’t as big as they could be.

The impact would likely be greater if, rather than bring people to events, the AJMF brought events to those people. So after festival organizers worked with several nearby cities, Augusta and Brunswick were selected to host Jewish talent.

Visiting artist Noah Aronson will partner with Congregation Adas Yeshurun in Augusta for a Havdalah show on March 18, and Atlanta’s MarlaTov Cocktails, featuring Marla Feeney, will perform at Brunswick’s Jewish Food and Culture Festival on March 19.

If this year is a success, Gottschalk said, the festival will try to expand to other cities.

“We’re thrilled to connect visiting and local Jewish musicians to nearby Southern communities,” he said.

“Though we exist to support and energize Jewish Atlanta, AJMF is committed to enabling like-minded peers throughout the region.”

Gottschalk is already thinking ahead to what the festival could do for other communities in 2018. He’s hopeful that after this year, enough people will have an awareness of the AJMF that they’ll travel to Atlanta to experience the festival for themselves.

“The power of Jewish music transcends,” Gottschalk said, “and we just wish to inspire all communities with it.” ■

23

MARCH 3 â–ª 2017

ATLANTA JEWISH MUSIC FESTIVAL 8

www.atlantajewishtimes.com

A Purim Party for All Ages

By Patrice Worthy It’s Purim party time, and the Atlanta Jewish Music Festival has partnered with six congregations to celebrate the holiday.

The idea to host separate parties at various synagogues came from the success of last year’s Purim party hosted by the AJMF. This year was different, though, because Purim falls on a Saturday night, and Russell Gottschalk, the executive director of the festival, didn’t want to pull congregants away from traditional Purim festivities.

“We wanted to do a Purim-themed party and incorporate the festival into small events as a way to support the community,” he said. “We wanted to elevate and incorporate shuls doing live music during Megillah readings.”

The synagogue events include Ahavath Achim’s Purim shpiel featuring the MarlaTov Cocktails, Bet Haverim’s intergenerational Purim celebration, Or Hadash’s Ladino musical Purim featuring Sarah Aroeste, Temple Sinai’s adults-only Purim shpiel featuring adapted lyrics from “Chicago,” Beth

Shalom’s Megillah and Tequila, and Beth Tikvah’s Mel Brooks-themed Purim shpiel. Each party will have a Megillah reading, snacks and music.

Beth Tikvah also will have a Havdalah ceremony before the festivities. Rabbi Alexandria Shuval-Weiner said the congregation always has a festive Erev Purim and this year wanted to do something special.

“They’ve taken songs from different Mel Brooks movies and reformatted them for Purim. They have songs from ‘High Anxiety,’ ‘Blazing Saddles’ and ‘Young Frankenstein.’ … They’re funny,” Rabbi Shuval-Weiner said.

“We’ve determined it will be an over-21 celebration.”

Rabbi Shuval-Weiner said festive activities are a way for the congregation to get young adults to join in for the Megillah reading.

There will also be mocktails for those who don’t drink alcohol.

Though the Megillah reading is festive without live music, Congregation Beth Shalom is going all out for the holiday. Goza Tequila sponsors the congregation’s Purim party, and there

Sarah Aroeste will perform at two Purim parties during AJMF8, one aimed at an older crowd March 11 at Congregation Or Hadash and another for families the next morning at the Marcus JCC.

will be live music and snacks.

“We’re a fun bunch,” Executive Director Loli Gross. “I hope we have at least 100 people. The idea came from our youth director, who was throwing around ideas of Megillahs and margaritas.”

Beth Shalom is encouraging everyone to come dressed as a Purim character or a favorite sports figure. There will be margarita mix and orange juice, and Jacob Gluck, one of the founders of Goza Tequila, will be in attendance to talk about the brand.

Many of the parties hosted in conjunction with the AJMF are adult-only to get more young people involved.

The Marcus Jewish Community Center is hosting a young-adult Purim party at Orpheus Brewing. After the success of last year’s Purim party

at Terminal West, Gottschalk said the Marcus JCC wanted to host a party of its own.

“Last year they bought a few hundred tickets, and this year they wanted to create something for young adults,” Gottschalk said. “It’s perfect because Orpheus Brewing is owned by a Jewish Atlantan.”

The AJMF will have representatives at each party and encourage people to tweet or post to Instagram using #AJMF8 or #JewishATL. For those who would like to attend a more kid-friendly function, Sarah Aroeste will perform during a Purim family concert at the Marcus JCC on the morning of March 12. The event is free and open to the public. ■ • View the AJT’s full Purim calendar on Page 38.

Songwriting Contest’s Surprise Win

By Kevin Madigan kmadigan@atljewishtimes.com

MARCH 3 ▪ 2017

Outside on a February afternoon in Decatur, sun ablaze, a raucous gathering of musicians, a good two dozen of them, blasted through a set of tunes, to the delight of a full crowd.

The ensuing cacophony was provided by an impromptu amalgamation of two Atlanta bands, the Seed & Feed Marching Abominable and Black Sheep Ensemble.

In the midst of all the carousing was trombonist Nick Edelstein, a member of the latter group and winner of this year’s Atlanta Jewish Music Festival songwriting contest.

“I call them a street punk band: It’s all brass and percussion, but there’s a violin player who started recently,” Edelstein said in a phone interview a couple of days before the show. “There are two belly dancers. … It’s sort of like a Tim Burton circus band with Balkan and Eastern European influences.”

Edelstein has worked with Nigerian vocalist Nneka Obata, the Moody Jews and Israeli hip-hop duo Axum. He plays cornetto in early music group Lauda Musicam and runs the Judaic 24 Mosaic songwriting camp for kids.

But it’s his band Nick & The Grooves that will appear at Eddie’s Attic on Thursday, March 9, as part of the AJMF International Night.

“We’re playing an hour from 7:30 to 8:30,” he said. “There’s one song we’re planning to do that was released on our EP a few years ago. The rest of them are going to be new material. I’m going to be playing guitar and Moog synth — a minimoog — and I’ll be playing electric oud. There’s a chance I might take out the cornetto for one song, but I haven’t decided yet. We’ve got trumpet, sax, bass and drums.”

Edelstein entered the AJMF contest for songwriters not expecting to win the $1,800 prize. “I’ve been songwriting for a long time and hadn’t entered any contests. It’s sort of nice to get a pat on the back. I certainly wasn’t expecting it, and I wasn’t arrogant enough to think I was going to win it. I know there are a lot of other great Jewish musicians in town who probably submitted for it, so yeah, I was pleasantly surprised when they called me up.”

After taking piano lessons since the age of 4, Edelstein began creating his own music as a freshman in high school.

“I started with some classical piec-

A talented guitarist, Nick Edelstein also plays a variety of other instruments including trombone in local street punk band the Black Sheep Ensemble.

es, and that’s when I really started getting into writing and composing,” he said. “I didn’t really start writing nonclassical music until I was in college at UGA. I was in a band at the time that was really into progressive and experimental rock. At that point, I probably had maybe a dozen or so songs that I had jotted down in high school but hadn’t hashed out. I finished them and ended up with an album’s worth of decent material.”

Those dozen or so songs eventually became Edelstein’s first solo album release, “Ripple,” in 2006.

The Judaic Mosaic program is Edelstein’s way of passing on what he has learned along the way.

“I saw a grant opportunity from the Schusterman Foundation, and it inspired me to see what I could do to contribute to the community,” he said.

“I had been teaching for 15 years, so I combined my talents into this summer camp. It’s renewed my desire to continue as a songwriter and explore what new possibilities can come, instead of just playing the same old songs over and over.”

He said his students continue to amaze him. “You put them all together in a room, and they come up with something totally unique. It’s really exciting every summer to see what they do. I guide them along, but it’s totally them.” ■

ATLANTA JEWISH MUSIC FESTIVAL 8

www.atlantajewishtimes.com

Molly Blank Concert Explores Rock ’n’ Roll Era

By Sarah Moosazadeh sarah@atljewishtimes.com

The 2017 Molly Blank Concert Series will honor the rock ’n’ roll of the 1950s and 1960s on March 19 at the Breman Museum.

ans in a series of songs paying homage to the artists of the era.

The performance will also include a glimpse into the careers of Jewish artists Bob Dylan, Carole King and Neil Sedaka to further increase awareness about Jewish artists and their role in the nation’s music industry.

“What most people don’t know is that a lot of African-American artists and songwriters really liked Leiber and Stoller’s music and were shocked when they found out they were Jewish,

yet they continued to collaborate with them, composing countless songs and hits such as ‘Stand by Me,’ ” said David Schendowich of the Breman Museum.

“We are excited to promote the event and to partner with the AJMF and Theatrical Outfit.”

The performance is produced by Theatrical Outfit and Adam Koplan, who is heavily involved in the local music scene.

The Breman also held full-fledged conversations with AJMF Executive

Director Russell Gottschalk to further promote the event. “Russell was very helpful for us and is a great promoter,” Schendowich said.

“I am happy to serve as marketing partner in staging the Molly Blank Concert Series in its fourth season at the Breman Museum,” Gottschalk said.

The concert is sure to captivate audiences of all ages and raise awareness about a critical era in music, important to the Jewish community and the nation’s history.” ■

Do you live in Sandy Springs, Chastain, Buckhead, Brookhaven, Atlanta?

Central to all, this gem in Sandy Springs has you covered.

Incredibly low prices and an amazing selection on all beer, wine and spirits.

THE NEWEST AND MOST HIGHLY RATED SOUGHT AFTER BOTTLE SHOP!

Wine, Spirits & Beer

• Very competitive pricing • Huge diverse selection of Bourbons, Scotch, Tequila and more.

• Expansive wine department from collectible to daily drinkers • Phenomenal service and knowledgeable staff • Clean, safe, and fun shopping experience

4600 Roswell Road Suite D-110 Atlanta, GA 30342

404-843-1050 LOCATED NEXT TO SPROUTS IN THE GATEWAY SHOPPING CENTER

MARCH 3 ▪ 2017

During the 1950s and ’60s, the music industry birthed a new genre of music known as rock ’n’ roll. The style quickly became popular and paved the way for artists such as Elvis Presley, Little Richard, Buddy Holly and eventually the Beatles.

Many of the artists composed and wrote their own music, but others relied on writers who provided the edge they needed to attain stardom.

Among the most famous writers were Jewish artists Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. Together the two composed a slew of hits, including “Hound Dog,” “Yackety Yak” and “Jailhouse Rock.”

To honor and celebrate the their accomplishments, the Breman Jewish Heritage Museum, AJMF and Theatrical Outfit have teamed up to promote “Baby That Is Rock ’n’ Roll” at 5 p.m.

Sunday, March 19, at the museum.

The performance will include seven accomplished local musicians as well as talented musical theater veter-

25

ATLANTA JEWISH MUSIC FESTIVAL 8

Ahavath Achim

600 Peachtree Battle Ave. Buckhead

Buckhead Theatre 3110 Roswell Road Buckhead

Congregation Bet Haverim 2074 LaVista Road Toco Hills

Congregation Beth Shalom

5303 Winters Chapel Road Dunwoody

www.atlantajewishtimes.com

Venues and Tickets Congregation Beth Tikvah 9955 Coleman Road Roswell

City Winery Atlanta

650 North Ave., Suite 201 Midtown

Crema Espresso Gourmet

2458 Mount Vernon Road Dunwoody

Dunwoody Nature Center 5343 Roberts Drive Dunwoody

Eddie’s Attic

The Temple

Marcus Jewish Community Center

Temple Sinai

515 N. McDonough St. Decatur

5342 Tilly Mill Road Dunwoody

Congregation Or Hadash 7460 Trowbridge Road Sandy Springs

Orpheus Brewing

1589 Peachtree St. Midtown

5645 Dupree Drive Sandy Springs

William Breman Jewish Heritage & Holocaust Museum 1440 Spring St. Midtown

1440 Dutch Valley Place Midtown

MARCH 3 ▪ 2017

Tickets for the eighth Atlanta Jewish Music Festival can be purchased at atlantajmf.org.

26