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Beyond the Pale brings its BalkanKlezmer fusion to the Western U.S.
Beyond the Pale, Toronto’s award-winning acoustic-roots ensemble known for its unique take on klezmer, Balkan and Romanian music is bringing its string- and reed-powered sound
to the U.S. West Coast with an 11-date tour of venues and festivals. While the band is kicking off its 22nd year together and has previously toured extensively in the U.S., these will be their first-ever foray into the musically rich Pacific Northwest. The occasion has prompted BTP co-founder and mandolin player Eric Stein to reflect on the band’s longevity, and how klezmer (east European Jewish instrumental folk music) has evolved over the band’s lifespan. “When Beyond the Pale started in 1998, the klezmer music scene was still something of an obscure, countercultural insurgency, existing on the fringes of both the Jewish community and the broader music world. In the last couple of decades, that’s all changed. The music has blown up in myriad directions, and klezmer seems to be everywhere these days, sometimes in the least expected places.” They band will perform on Sunday, Feb. 16 at 7:30 pm at the Old Church Concert Hall at 1422 SW 11th Ave in Portland and on Feb. 17 at 7 pm at Temple Beth Israel at 1175 E. 29th Ave. in Eugene. For more information, visit beyondthepale2020. rockpaperscissors.biz.
Stephanie Pollak shares her story at Ahavath Achim Stephanie Pollak comes to Congregation Ahavath Achim for three special sessions Feb. 21-22 to discuss loving and losing someone to addiction and her journey of self exploration during that challenging time. On Friday, Feb. 21, there will be a presentation and dinner, “Pain, Perseverance, Purpose – How Addiction Took My Husband, and How I Chose to
Save My Own Life.” The cost is $18 per person or $54 for a family; RSVP by Feb. 18. For Shabbat morning on Saturday, Feb. 22, there will be a presentation and lunch, “I Asked God for a Waterfall of Blessings, and He Gave it to Me.” Then on Saturday evening the program concludes with an evening round table discussion for women only, “Positive Body
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Image and Self Care.” “I’m so excited to bring out Stephanie Pollak, a very special and dear friend of mine, to share her powerful story and wisdom with our community.” says Eve Levy, women’s program coordinator at the Portland Kollel. For more information or to RSVP to any or all of the events, contact info@ ahavathachim.com.
