Metropolitan Klezmer Performs at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts

Metropolitan Klezmer, hailed as "one of the finest American klezmer bands" (Songlines Magazine), brings its inspired, neo-traditional interpretations and compositions of eclectic Yiddish songs to Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts on Saturday, Feb. 3, at 8 p.m.

Formed in 1994 by drummer/leader Eve Sicular, this collaboration of eight New York musicians combines the best of downtown, classical and world music scenes to create music around a range of eclectic Yiddish repertoire: ethereal trance, rollicking dance, imaginatively arranged Yiddish swing and tango, plus genre-expanding originals such as klezmer cumbia.

The octet, which has toured from coast to coast, in 2014 released its fifth album, Mazel Means Good Luck - recorded live in concert at the Emelin Theatre in Mamaroneck, New York. Metropolitan Klezmer brings together bandmates with stylistic backgrounds from Latin jazz to funk and folk, Balkan to Zydeco to baroque, and reggae to opera to R&B. The ensemble also explores Soviet Yiddish theater melodies and drinking songs and overlooked soundtrack tunes from vintage films set in Eastern Europe and the Lower East Side. Time Out New York Magazine noted: "Metropolitan Klezmer takes a scholarly approach to the genre's history, yet never skimps on the exuberance at its core."

Klezmer music began in medieval Europe, where bands of itinerant Jewish musicians went from town to town playing for Jewish festivals and special events, such as weddings and Jewish holidays. It is secular music with ties to synagogue worship dating back to biblical times. By the 1800s, Klezmer music had become a well-developed musical style and nowadays it is played at birthdays, anniversary celebrations and wedding receptions. Until the 1940s, klezmer orchestras flourished, but with the new styles of music, and the desire of immigrant Jews to appear "American," the tradition faded. It now is enjoying a renewed popularity.

Music from Metropolitan Klezmer's five award-winning CDs has been praised by the UK's Phat Planet as "brilliant and breathless... mixing levity with the gravity." Shaun Dale, of Cosmik Debris magazine, noted the group's wide appeal: "Metropolitan Klezmer is anything but stereotypical, and nothing but terrific. One of the best klezmer bands in the world today."

Numerous album cuts are heard in documentary features, such as HBO's Schmatta: Rags to Riches to Rags, and Grace Paley: Collected Shorts, plus broadcasts worldwide.

Tickets:

$49 (M $41) / $39 / $29

Free for eligible veterans, students and teachers. Patrons 29 and under, 50 percent off.

SCOTTSDALE ARTS

Through its partnership with the City of Scottsdale, the nonprofit Scottsdale Arts (formerly known as Scottsdale Cultural Council) creates diverse, inspired arts experiences and educational opportunities that foster active, lifelong community engagement with the arts. Since its founding in 1987, Scottsdale Arts has grown into a regionally and nationally significant, multi-disciplinary arts organization offering an exceptional variety of programs through three acclaimed divisions - Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA) and Scottsdale Public Art - serving more than 400,000 participants annually.

SCOTTSDALE CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

Since 1975, Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts has provided a stage for a wide range of artists and genres, creating shared, inspiring experiences for the community that celebrate artistic excellence and cultural awareness. Today one of the premier performing-arts halls in the western United States, the Center presents a diverse season of music, dance, theater, comedy and film from around the world.

LOCATION AND PARKING

Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts is located at 7380 E. Second St. in downtown Scottsdale. Free parking is available in the public parking garage located to the west of Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts on Wells Fargo Avenue. Additional free parking is available at the Old Town Parking Corral at East Second Street and Brown Avenue and at the Civic Center Library parking garage located on Drinkwater Boulevard at East Second Street.

ACCESSIBILITY

Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts offers performance accommodations to enhance audience members' experience, including: American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation or live audio description with two weeks advance notice. Assistive-listening devices and wheelchair seating are also available. Visit www.ScottsdalePerformingArts.org/visit/accessibility/ or contact the Member and Patron Services Box Office at 480-499-TKTS (8587) [TDD: 480-874-4694] for further details. Please inquire about services when ordering tickets.

TICKET DISCOUNTS

Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts offers a variety of ticket discounts for Scottsdale Arts members at the Friends level and above, groups of 10 or more and those purchasing packages to four or more events in one order. The Center provides free tickets to selected events for eligible students, teachers and active-duty military and veterans, and 50-percent off tickets to selected events for patrons 29 and under. Visit www.ScottsdalePerformingArts.org/visit/tickets-discounts/ or call 480-499-TKTS (8587) for more information.

THE STORE

The award-winning Store at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts supports the mission and diverse programs of the nonprofit Scottsdale Arts. The Store's unique selection of merchandise includes artist-made jewelry, stylish furnishings for home and office, unique creations by Arizona artists, fair-trade and upcycled/recycled global crafts, music, books, greeting cards and imaginative toys. Purchases are tax free, and members receive a 10 percent discount. Gift wrapping and shipping are also available. The Store is open seven days a week: Monday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Sunday, noon - 5 p.m.; and throughout most evening events. Phone: 480-874-4644

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