Events by this organizer

Whether you’ve been keeping Yiddish culture alive in Olympia for decades, or you’re hearing about it for the first time today, you are welcome to join us for any or all of these coming events and take a deeper dive into the joys and richness of Yiddish culture through music and dance!

All event details here. 

Friday March 27th 6:30-7:00:

Telegrams to the Future: Niggunim of Dvekut & Joy from Ukrainian Klezmorim 

A nign is a wordless melody invested with spiritual intention—elevated by those who sing them. The melodies presented in this evening were collected from klezmorim and baal-tfile (prayer leaders) in early twentieth century Ukraine and Belarus during the An-sky ethnographic expeditions between 1912-14. You will hear about this remarkable expedition and we will explore a small nign “toolkit,” that includes a nign for quieting the mind, one for thoughtfulness and connection, and few for joy, celebration, and solidarity.

Saturday March 28th 4:00-6:00:

The Inner Secrets of Klezmer Dance Tunes: An Instrumental Workshop for Musicians

Join visiting artist and accordion player Christina Crowder for a deep dive into the tunes at the heart of the klezmer repertoire. This workshop will explore phrasing, ornamentation, and how to create a dance groove. Whether you’re familiar with klezmer or new to the genre, this will be a unique opportunity to learn more about this lyrical and evocative style. All instruments are welcome, charts provided as needed.

Sunday March 29th from 3-4:30:

Yiddish Dance Workshop: Exploring the Ashkenazi Dance Tradition

Yiddish dance is a living, embodied cultural practice long marginalized and often misunderstood. In this workshop, we’ll explore the dynamic exchange between klezmer music and dance, foundational movement vocabulary, the expressive use of rhythm and tension, and cultivating safety and consent in communal dance spaces.

No dance experience needed!

Sunday March 29th from 6-7:30:

Concert and Tantshoyz (dance party!) with Christina & the Zamlers

Join Christina & the Zamlers (Christina Crowder: accordion, Mae Kessler: violin, Jimmy Austin: trombone) for a fun and heartwarming evening of klezmer music and dance! Come ready to move to lively freylekhs and bulgars, lift your voice in soulful niggunim (wordless melodies), or simply sit back and savor the music. Dancing led by Seattle’s Maia Brown. Dancers and listeners of all ages and abilities are welcome!

Program presented with support from the Yiddish Book Center’s Yiddish Arts and Culture Initiative for Jewish Communities.