The Joy of Jewish Music and Dance. Berkeley, CA, USA
ADVANCE REGISTRATION HERE
Join the October-May monthly series celebrating The Joy of Jewish Music and Dance! Great for musicians, dancers, and enthusiasts to meet, learn, play, shmooze, or simply to take in the beauty of these rich traditions. Bring your instruments and dancing shoes.
For this session, music will be taught by Polina Shepherd. Read more about our instructors below.
Session format: During the first 2 hours, participants choose between instruction in vocal and instrumental music taught by Polina or dance taught by Bruce Bierman corresponding to the music. Then after a short snack break, musicians and dancers join to share what they’ve learned in a fun dance party setting.
Session format: During the first 2 hours, participants choose between instruction in vocal and instrumental music taught by Polina or dance taught by Bruce Bierman corresponding to the music. Then after a short snack break, musicians and dancers join to share what they’ve learned in a fun dance party setting.
Basic instrumental proficiency is recommended for musicians. All instruments, singers, and dancers are welcome.
Tickets are $25 – $54 sliding scale. Online ticket sales will end on Friday, April 10 at noon. If not sold out, tickets may be purchased at the door. Kids 18 and under can attend free. No one turned away for lack of funds. Arrange volunteer/trade or reduced-price entry in advance, or with the person at the door.
Additional donations are welcome to help sustain, grow, and cover the cost of this series.
The series is made possible by volunteer time and expertise of organisers Mike Perlmutter, Zina Pozen, and Bruce Bierman, as well as the financial support of Noah Youngs, Amos Lans, and other generous individuals, fiscal sponsorship and support by KlezCalifornia. We are grateful to our past host Sarah Wolfman-Robichaud and the JCC East Bay, and to our new hosts at Congregation Netivot Shalom.
Direct questions about the series to: JOY@KlezCalifornia.org
Bruce Bierman is a celebrated Jewish dance leader and maven known for his joyful, inclusive, and whimsical approach to teaching. With warmth, humor, and a deep love of tradition, Bruce gets everyone on the dance floor—circling, spiraling, and connecting through dances rooted in Yemenite, Mizrachi, Chasidic, Sephardic, Klezmer and classic Israeli traditions. His transformative dance workshops have brought communities together across the West Coast, inviting dancers of all backgrounds to rediscover the ecstasy and soul at the heart of Jewish culture. Where there is Bruce, there is truly a party—and an unforgettable experience of movement, music, and connection.
Polina Shepherd is a composer, performer, educator and cultural activist originally from Siberia, now living in Brighton, United Kingdom. Polina is a powerhouse pianist vocalist with a deep repertoire and a four-octave singing range. She leads choirs, collaborates with bands, orchestras, soloists, ensembles and performs internationally. Her compositions, including music for choirs, theatre, song settings for Yiddish poems are performed all over the world…
