World Music

Jewish Music Festival returns March 2-19

The Atlanta Jewish Music Festival (AJMF) returns for its eighth year with a two and a half week festival that will run March 2-19 in various locations around the metro.

AJMF is the largest Jewish music festival in the South and is known for featuring a diverse bill of artists ranging from jazz to hip-hop to world music.

“One of the most diverse music festivals in the South and one of the largest Jewish music festivals in the world, AJMF defies the traditional definition of ‘Jewish Music,’” said AJMF Director Russell Gottschalk. “This year’s lineup includes Jewish artists from around the globe and some of the best musicians from our local community, including a first ever commission of new Southern Jewish music.”

Here are a few AJMF8 highlights you don’t want to miss!

• AJMF8 Opening Night (March 2) at City Winery Atlanta featuring Jewish-Cuban ensemble Odessa / Havana. This international group is lead by virtuosic trumpet player and composer David Buchbinder.

• The celebration of Ladino culture continues with a multi-day artist residency by singer/songwriter

Sarah Aroeste, who will perform an adult concert at AJMF8’s International Night on March 9 at Eddie’s Attic. Her residency also includes a kids’ concert at the MJCCA’s Family Purim Concert on March 12.

• ATL Collective will recreate the first hip-hop album to ever top the billboard charts – Beastie Boys’ Licensed to Ill. Israeli hip hop artists Peled, Axum and Sagol 59 will join ATL Collective musicians at Buckhead Theatre to perform the album in a way never heard before.

• AJMF8 includes the holiday of Purim and many Atlanta synagogues, including Ahavath Achim, Bet Haverim, Beth Shalom, Beth Tikvah, Or Hadash and Temple Sinai, are partnering with AJMF to create music-fueled Erev Purim celebrations for Jewish Atlanta.

• International music star Idan Raichel, known for his fusion of electronic music and Hebrew texts, will close this year’s festival.

For the full lineup and ticket information, visit atlantajmf.org.

EarFilms: To Sleep To Dream

Thursday, March 2 7:30pm

Friday, March 3 8:00pm

Saturday, March 4 8:00pm

Audience members are blindfolded to focus their senses and create an experience that truly unlocks the listener’s imagination in this immersive live event. An advanced 3D sound system creates a cutting-edge narrative journey for the imagination as EarFilms breathes new life into the tradition of storytelling.

Katherine Helen Fisher Characters

Sunday, March 5 5 pm

Characters is a new media and dance work choreographed and performed by Katherine Helen Fisher in collaboration with electronic musician Nelly Kate and designers Leslie Rogers, Valincy-Jean Patelli, Jeepneys and Milan DelVecchio. A continuation of Fisher’s deep interest in interdisciplinary collaboration and its capacity to reinvigorate dance, the piece explores the connection between identity and technology.

Bang on a Can All-Stars

Saturday, March 11 8:00pm

Bang on a Can All-Stars are recognized worldwide for their ultra-dynamic live performances and recordings of today’s most innovative music. Crossing the boundaries between classical, jazz, rock, world, and experimental music, this six-member amplified ensemble has forged a distinct category-defying identity, taking music into uncharted territories.

Full Radius Dance Company marks 25 years with special performance

Full Radius Dance, the modern dance company that features dances with and without disabilities, will mark its 25th anniversary in March with a special performance called “Silver.” The show will be performed at 7 Stages Theatre in Little Five Points, 1105 Euclid Ave. on March 10 - 11 at 8 p.m. each evening and a 2 p.m. Saturday matinee.

“Silver” features a first act retrospective including the revivals of “Climb” (2005), excerpts from “Passioné” (2006), and “Breathe” (2015). Act two premieres Artistic Director Douglas Scott’s newest work, “Do You Know What You Are Doing Now?”

“Silver” will highlight Full Radius Dance’s theatricality, pioneering technique, and inventive partnering, which are hallmarks of the company’s celebrated style.

Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for children/seniors. Tickets for the Mach 11, 8 p.m. show are $25 and include a post-performance reception. For more information, visit fullradiusdance.org.

American Craft Show returns March 17-19

Rialto Series Highlights

Deba Kidd, Wearables Dana Ross, Wood

The American Craft Show returns March 17-19 with more than 225 of the country’s top contemporary craft artists presenting their latest handmade jewelry, clothing, furniture and home décor.

The show, which will celebrate ACC’s 75th anniversary, will be staged at the Cobb Galleria Center. Tickets are $13 for a one-day pass and there will special $5 admission on Friday after 5 p.m.

Returning this year to the show will be Hip Pop, an emerging artists program that will highlight the creative works of talented artists who are new to the show scene, while Let’s Make will feature interactive demonstrations with artists. Also returning is Make Room, a home décor exhibition, which puts crafts into room vignettes, and Style Slam, where fashion, accessory and jewelry artisans demonstrate how to put together a perfect wardrobe.

For more information about the American Craft Show in Atlanta, visit craftcouncil.org/atlanta.