Polina Shepherd

Interview
2022-08-23 17:00 - 18:00 UTC
Interview with an artist – event with Polina Shepherd as part of Yiddish in Berlin.

The 3rd Summer Program for Yiddish Language and Literature in Berlin will be held at the Institute for East European Studies at the Free University of Berlin from August 8th to 26th, 2022.
For three weeks, the Institute for East European Studies hosts students from all around the world, offering a rich program of language courses and cultural activities.
For the first time, a hybrid program in which students in the same class can choose to learn either face-to-face or at a distance.
The pedagogical team under the direction of Yitskhok Niborski will offer an intensive program of Yiddish courses, workshops (songs, theater, conversation, cooking), visits, lectures, film screenings…
In addition to four levels of language and literature classes ranging from beginner to advanced, we will be instating a three-week pedagogical training seminar for emerging Yiddish teachers.
Scholarships will be granted to allow young students from all over the world to come and improve their skills and exchange with other Yiddish speakers.
Events will take place at Osteuropa-Institut (Freie Universität Berlin). Garystraße 55, 14195 Berlin
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Soviet Yiddish Writers event by Five Leaves Publications, London.
2022-08-31 18:00 - 19:30 UTC | SOAS, University of London, Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square, London, WC1H 0XG, United Kingdom
Soviet Yiddish writers event by the Five Leaves Publications and the Jewish Music Institute, London.
BOOK HERE, Special discount code for my followers: 5leaves will give you a half price ticket of £5.
Location SOAS. Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square, London WC1H 0XG, exact room TBA.
On August 12th 1952, thirteen members of the Soviet Jewish Anti-Fascist Committee יידישער אנטי פאשיסטישער קאמיטעט were murdered on the orders of Stalin. Join us to commemorate their 70th יארצייט
S. Lozovskii, J. Juzefovich, Prof. B. Shimeliovich, I. Fefer, L. Kvitko, P. Markish, D. Bergelson, D. Hofstein, B. Zuskin, L. Talmi, I. Vatenberg, E. Teumin, and Ch. Vatenberg-Ostrovska
6.30-9.30 (doors 6.00)
Speakers: Gennady Estraikh, Professor, New York University and Helen Beer, Lecturer Emerita, University College London
Music: Polina Shepherd
Followed by Song Searcher (83 minutes) a film about Moyshe Beregovsky, who recorded and studied the traditional music of Ukrainian Jewry in the 192s, 30s and 40s and who was imprisoned in a Stalinist labour camp in 1950.
For further information email bookshop@fiveleaves.co.uk

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Solo concert: Yiddish songs. South-West London/ Ilford, UK
2022-09-18 18:00 - 19:15 UTC
SWESRS: Social and Community Group –
Our Yiddish Heritage in Music with Polina Shepherd

Function Hall, South West Essex and Settlement Reform Synagogue
Oaks Lane, Newbury Park, Ilford, Essex, IG2 7PL
Polina Shepherd, born in Siberia, is now an internationally renowned singer bringing the songs of the Steppes and the Shtetl up to date with passion and haunting soul. Her singing cuts a sound deeply rooted in east European Jewish and Russian folk. She is also well-known as an educator and conductor, leading choral workshops both in the UK and abroad. It is a great privilege to welcome Polina to SWESRS! Polina will be both talking about and performing the rich heritage of Yiddish music in all its variety. Refreshments will be available after the concert
Tickets: £10 in advance and £12 at the door (Under 18s Free). On-line access at www.ticketsource.co.uk/swesrs
Contact Robert for further information at rmyoung1942@yahoo.co.uk or 0208 5302514

EVENT WEB PAGE and info here

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Online concert for the Kharkiv Jewish Community
2022-09-25 16:00 - 17:30 UTC | Online
Друзі, запрошуємо вас 25.09.2022 (неділя) о 18:00 на Концертну програма до свята Рош hа-Шана з композиторкою, співачкою, виконавицею єврейської музики та пісень Поліною Шеперд (м. Брайтон, Велика Британія).
Приєднуйтесь в Zoom: http://bit.do/zoom-7776132001
Ідентифікатор конференції: 777 613 2001 Код доступу: 777

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The Third Seder
2022-09-27 | Online
The Third Seder is a long standing Yiddish cultural tradition. For the first time, the MMJCCM will host a “third” seder, convened by our rabbi in residence Rabbi Avram Mlotek, featuring the leading stars of the Klezmer and Yiddish stage.
This is a pre-recorded performance and registrants will receive a Vimeo link to watch the entire recording of this performance by 2pm on Sunday.
Starring, in alphabetical order:
Bob Abelson
Michael Alpert
Alan Bern
Nicole Borger
Joanne Borts
Josh Dolgin
Sarah Gordon
Adrianne Greenbaum
Elmore James
Craig Judelman
Daniel Kahn
Yeva Lapsker
Leon Lapsker Kahn
Yanky Lemmer
Marilyn Lerner
Shura Lipovsky
Frank London
Sasha Lurje
Avram Mlotek
Ravi Mlotek
Sarah Mlotek
Zalmen Mlotek
Eleanor Reissa
Merlin Shepherd
Polina Shepherd
Ilya Shneyveys
Dinah Slepovitch
Zisl Slepovitch
Lorin Sklamberg
Steven Skybell
Eric Stein
Theresa Tova
Susan Lankin-Watts
Tatiana Wechsler
Steven Weintraub
Michael Winograd.
Lead sponsoring by The National Yiddish Theatre-Folksbiene
Presented in partnership with Base MNHTN, KlezKanada, The Forward, Forvertz, Kadimah – Jewish Cultural Centre , Yiddish Book Center, Sholem Aleichem College, Jewish Labour Bund Melbourne, Penina Zylberman Yiddish Cultural and Educational Foundation, Kleztival, Ashkenaz Festival, Yiddish Summer Weimar, Shalom Foundation and I. B. Singer Yiddish Festival in Warsaw, YUNG YiDiSH Tel Aviv, YIVO Institute for Jewish Research, Museum of Jewish History – Living Memorial to the Holocaust, The Workers Circle, Vaybertaytsh, Dora Wasserman Yiddish Theatre, Jewish Music Institute – Instituto da Música Judaica -Brasi
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KCWC pre-Christmas party with The London Russian Choir
2022-12-08 18:00 - 20:30 UTC
KCWC – Kensington Chelsea Women’s Club is an organisation of international women who want to enjoy everything London has to offer. KWCW opens their door to guests for their pre-Christmas Party will take place in a lovely Georgian townhouse in the heart of Mayfair.
The University Women’s Club is a cosy and very welcoming venue for a pre-Christmas cocktail party where we will have exclusive use of the wood-panelled Library and elegant Drawing Room.
KCWC looks forward to welcoming you with wine, canapés and nibbles. The London Russian Choir will enliven the evening and create a special ambience and there will also be a raffle with three wonderful prizes for the lucky winners.
Guest price (includes everything mentioned above) – £49.
VENUE: 2 Audley Sq, London, W1K 1DB, England
BOOKING FORM here BOOKING FORM KCWC 8 December 2022
Alternatively, please contact via email: events@kcwc.org.uk or phone –
Mobile 07899 344348

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Festival of Light concert in Lewes, UK
2022-12-16 19:30 - 21:30 UTC | Westgate Chapel, 92A High Street, Lewes, BN7 1XH, United Kingdom
BOOK HERE
Friday, 16 December
Westgate Chapel, Lewes 92A High Street, BN7 1XH
Doors: 7.15pm,
Concert: 7.30 – 9-30pm.
Bar available during the interval
Tickets: £10 plus booking fee
Festival of Light with the Brighton and Hove Russian Choir and Pam and de Femmes (TBC)
The theme for the evening is Light, Celebration and Unity. We have a fantastic programme to keep you warm for the rest of winter. Celebrate the beauty of world cultures and the joy of sharing music – join us in spreading the light!

The Brighton and Hove Russian Choir
BHRC promotes culture, unity and building bridges through singing. This evening, the choir will present Christmas songs, Art Songs, classical pieces by Rachmaninov and Tchaikovsky, Ukrainian lyrical songs, ritual calendar music for pagan holidays and other folklore. The programme will also include solo performances by choir members.
The coming weekend is also the Jewish Festival of Light – Chanuka. Polina Shepherd will sing a few songs in Yiddish.
Pam and de Femmes are a Lewes-based band that started in 2019 as a female foursome doing calypso interludes for an evening of poets with Caribbean roots. Later they were joined by a rhythm section of bass and cajon. They then extended their repertoire to include Spanish, Hungarian and Polish songs and now they are a six or seven-piece band singing in languages from all around the world. They have performed songs in Czech, Swedish, German, Italian, and American English among others and are constantly expanding their repertoire.
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The Workers Circle Khanike party. Online
2022-12-18 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | Online
Register here

Join us on Zoom for our Yiddish Khanike Party, with warm Khanike greetings from our wonderful teachers and students from all over the world! Sing Khanike lider with: Zisl Slepovitch, Polina Shepherd, Deborah Strauss and Jeff Warschauer, Psoy Korolenko, Cindy Paley, Yasmin Garfunkel, Tania Grinberg, Zhenya Lopatnik, and surprise guests. Enjoy skits and readings from Sheva Zucker, Daniel Galay, Miri Koral, Motl Didner, and more.
Translations of readings and songs will be provided.
All participants will be entered in our Annual Khanike raffle for a chance to win free registration to any of our Winter 2023 semester Yiddish classes! To secure your spot in the raffle, please register by Saturday, December 10 at 9:00 PM EST.

This event is free, but we welcome an $18 suggested donation that will go to strengthening our world-renowned Yiddish program.

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Zemel Choir and Merlin & Polina Duo in Brighton & Hove
2023-01-22 19:00 - 21:00 UTC
A collaboration concert between Zemel choir (London) and Merlin & Polina Shepherd.
Venue: Ralli Hall
SPICE OF LIFE – BOOK HERE
A Celebration of Jewish Music Featuring Merlin and Polina Shepherd Duo
With a focus of Klezmer, Yiddish and Ladino music you will hear the full breath of the Jewish music World.
The Zemel Choir, established in 1955, is proud of its international reputation as one of the world’s finest mixed-voice Jewish choirs. Our wide-ranging repertoire embraces all the traditional Jewish cultures, Ashkenazi, Sephardi, Yiddish and Israeli. Zemel regularly perform in major venues throughout the U.K. and overseas and, besides singing well-known favourites, they present new music from contemporary composers.
Merlin & Polina Shepherd perform together in a way that is rarely encountered. Playing Music from several linked cultures and maintaining the styles, they also incorporate improvisation, freedom and spontaneity. With a unique approach to Klezmer, Turkish, Slavic, Greek and Romanian music they weave a sound that, so like music from these countries themselves, moves the listener physically, emotionally and spiritually.
‘Polina and Merlin Shepherd – the Led Zeppelin of contemporary Yiddish music.’ – Seth Rogovoy, author, “The Essential Klezmer”

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Amnesty UK Student Conference
2023-01-29 13:00 - 14:00 UTC
Amnesty International UK, Human Rights Action Centre
Event link and booking here. Download brochure: Programme Conference
This event is for students, led by students. You’ll find an exciting mix of creative spaces, discussions, workshops, on the street activism and entertainment.
This is your opportunity to learn more about Amnesty, get inspired, brush up on your campaigning skills, meet like-minded students, have an incredible weekend in London and add your voice to the Amnesty student movement.
With some amazing keynote speakers that we’ll be announcing shortly, you won’t want to miss out on this!
Polina Shepherd and Best Foot Music will represent Music as a Form of Activism one the second day of the conference, on 29 January, session at 1.15-2pm.
Description
The Student Conference is your chance to come together, hear from campaign experts, learn new skills and take action together.
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Zemel choir and Merlin & Polina Shepherd concert, London
2023-01-29 19:30 - 21:30 UTC
SPICE OF LIFE London – BOOK HERE
Join the Zemel Choir, the UK’s Leading Mixed Voice Jewish Choir, together with Merlin & Polina Shepherd Duo for a night of Jewish Music from around the world.. These concerts promise to be exciting and engaging. With a focus of Klezmer, Yiddish and Ladino music you will hear the full breath of the Jewish music World.
Venue: New North London Synagogue, 80 East End Road, London, N3 2SY
Start time: 7.30pm.

With a focus of Klezmer, Yiddish and Ladino music you will hear the full breath of the Jewish music World.
The Zemel Choir, established in 1955, is proud of its international reputation as one of the world’s finest mixed-voice Jewish choirs. Our wide-ranging repertoire embraces all the traditional Jewish cultures, Ashkenazi, Sephardi, Yiddish and Israeli. Zemel regularly perform in major venues throughout the U.K. and overseas and, besides singing well-known favourites, they present new music from contemporary composers.
Merlin & Polina Shepherd perform together in a way that is rarely encountered. Playing Music from several linked cultures and maintaining the styles, they also incorporate improvisation, freedom and spontaneity. With a unique approach to Klezmer, Turkish, Slavic, Greek and Romanian music they weave a sound that, so like music from these countries themselves, moves the listener physically, emotionally and spiritually.

Related Images:

Winter in Yiddishland - Online
2023-02-05 10:00 - 18:30 (America/New_York) | Online
WINTER IN YIDDISHLAND ONLINE
װינטער אין ייִדישלאַנד אָנלײַן
BOOK HERE

Our program includes Yiddish classes for all levels and ages, lectures by Yiddish scholars (in English and Yiddish), Klezmer, Yiddish song, and Yidishe nigunim workshops, an annual concert featuring Klezmer stars, a Yiddish singalong, and the opportunity to meet with ardent Yiddishists from around the world. We hope you will join us and become a part of our international Yiddishland mishpokhe!
The program starts at 10 AM ET and ends at 6:30 PM ET.
Registration for Winter in Yiddishland Online is $25 per individual program.
We are also thrilled to offer The Workers Circle Annual Lorraine Buch Yiddish Concert, and Yiddish Sing-Along with Cindy Paley as free community events. Advance registration for free events is required.
If you have any questions, please email Kolya Borodulin at nborodulin@circle.org or Baruch Blum at bblum@circle.org.

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Efim Chorny (Moldova) birthday concert ONLINE
2023-02-12 16:00 - 17:00 UTC | Online
Join us to celebrate one of the legendary Yiddish song makhers of our time!
Efim Chorny, a Yiddish song activist, performer, composer is presenting his online birthday concert on zoom.
It has become a tradition for him to gather colleagues and friends from all over the world for his birthday concert. This time we are meeting online on ZOOM.
Apart from Efim and the wonderful Suzanna Ghergus, there will be guests: by Mark Kovnatskiy, Sveta Kundish, Patrick Farrell, Polina Shepherd, Samuel Seifert, Marin Bunea and many others.
We start at 19.00 (Moscow), 18.00 (Chisinau, Kyiv, Tel Aviv); 17.00 (Vienna, Berlin, Paris); 16.00 (London); 11.00 (New York).
ZOOM link and other details will be posted just before the event on this Facebook event page.
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Apollo's Fire on tour - Ohio, USA
2023-03-08 - 2023-03-10
Exile & Resilience Music of the Jewish & African Diasporas
Read more and book here.
Created & Directed by Jeannette Sorrell
Polina Shepherd is one of the featured singers in Exile: Music of the Jewish & African Diasporas – a programme by the Grammy winning International Baroque Orchestra Apollo’s Fire (Cleveland, Ohio).
Though stolen from their homeland and scattered across the world, both Jews and Africans found strength in their music. Discover the rhythms of the Jewish ghetto in 1620 – dances and prayers from the Ashkenazi, Sephardic, Jewish baroque, and North African traditions. A company of 24 musicians – including Jewish, Arab, and African-American artists – raise their voices in love and celebration.
Pre-concert talk by guest artists, Yiddish singer Polina Shepherd and Israeli recorder/ney player Daphna Mor, 1 hour before each performance.
Wednesday, March 8, 7:30 PM: The Bath Church (UCC)
3980 W Bath Rd, Akron, OH 44333
Thursday, March 9, 7:30 PM: The Temple-Tifereth Israel
26000 Shaker Blvd, Beachwood, OH 44122
Friday, March 10, 7:30 PM: West Shore UUC – NEW LOCATION*
20401 Hilliard Blvd, Rocky River, OH 44116
Tuesday, April 4, 7:30 PM: Cleveland Museum of Art (Tour Send-Off Concert) – NEW LOCATION*
Gartner Auditorium
11150 East Blvd, Cleveland, OH 44106
Featured Artists

Polina Skovoroda Shepherd, soprano
Jacob Perry & Haitham Haidar, tenor
Jeffrey Strauss,baritone
Daphna Mor, recorder, ney, vocals
Merlin Shepherd, clarinets

8 March – 4 April Apollo’s Fire USA Tour

March 8 – Akron, OH, The BATH Church, book here
March 8 – Cleveland, OH, The Temple-Tifereth Israel, Beachwood, book here
March 10 – Cleveland, OH, West Shore Unitarian Universalist, Rocky River. book here
March 11- Evanston, IL. Music Institute of Chicago. Pre-Concert Conversation with the artists 30 minutes before the concert. Book here
March 12 – Chicago, Anshe Emet Synagogue. Pre-Concert Conversation with the artists 30 minutes before the concert. Book here
March 15 – San Francisco, CA. Taube Atrium Theater, Diane B. Wilsey Center for Opera. Joined by members of Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, SF. Book here
March 16 – San Francisco, CA. Taube Atrium Theater, Wilsey Center for Opera. Joined by members of Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, SF. Book here
March 17 – Palo Alto, CA. Bing Concert Hall, Stanford University. Joined by members of Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, SF. Book here
March 19 – New York. Metropolitan Museum of Art. Book here
April 4 – Cleveland, OH. Cleveland Museum of Art. Gartner Auditorium Book here
Related Images:

Apollo's Fire US tour - Chicago
2023-03-11 20:00 - 2023-03-12 22:00 UTC | Music Institute of Chicago
Exile: Music of the Jewish & African Diasporas
More information and booking here

Polina Shepherd is one of the featured singers in Exile: Music of the Jewish & African Diasporas – a programme by the Grammy winning International Baroque Orchestra Apollo’s Fire (Cleveland, Ohio).
“Expelled from their homes and scattered across the earth, exiled peoples have often found strength and resilience in their music. This new programme… celebrates the interwoven connections of the Sephardic, Ashkenazy, Palestinian and African traditions.”
Featured Artists

Polina Skovoroda Shepherd, soprano
Jacob Perry & Haitham Haidar, tenors
Jeffrey Strauss, baritone
Daphna Mor, recorder, ney, vocals
Merlin Shepherd, clarinet

USA Tour dates

March 8 – Akron, OH, The BATH Church, book here
March 8 – Cleveland, OH, The Temple-Tifereth Israel, Beachwood, book here
March 10 – Cleveland, OH, West Shore Unitarian Universalist, Rocky River. book here
March 11- Evanston, IL. Music Institute of Chicago. Pre-Concert Conversation with the artists 30 minutes before the concert. Book here
March 12 – Chicago, Anshe Emet Synagogue. Pre-Concert Conversation with the artists 30 minutes before the concert. Book here
March 15 – San Francisco, CA. Taube Atrium Theater, Diane B. Wilsey Center for Opera. Joined by members of Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, SF. Book here
March 16 – San Francisco, CA. Taube Atrium Theater, Wilsey Center for Opera. Joined by members of Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, SF. Book here
March 17 – Palo Alto, CA. Bing Concert Hall, Stanford University. Joined by members of Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, SF. Book here
March 19 – New York. Metropolitan Museum of Art. Book here
April 4 – Cleveland, OH. Cleveland Museum of Art. Gartner Auditorium Book here
Related Images:

Apollo's Fire US tour - San Francisco
2023-03-15 - 2023-03-16
Exile: Music of the Jewish & African Diasporas

I am delighted to be one of the featured soloists (along with Merlin Shepherd) in Exile: Music of the Jewish & African Diasporas – a programme by the Grammy winning International Baroque Orchestra Apollo’s Fire (Cleveland, Ohio) on tour in the USA and Europe.
A company of 24 musicians – including Jewish, Arab, and African-American artists – raise their voices in love and celebration.

March 8 – Akron, OH, The BATH Church, book here
March 8 – Cleveland, OH, The Temple-Tifereth Israel, Beachwood, book here
March 10 – Cleveland, OH, West Shore Unitarian Universalist, Rocky River. book here
March 11- Evanston, IL. Music Institute of Chicago. Pre-Concert Conversation with the artists 30 minutes before the concert. Book here
March 12 – Chicago, Anshe Emet Synagogue. Pre-Concert Conversation with the artists 30 minutes before the concert. Book here
March 15 – San Francisco, CA. Taube Atrium Theater, Diane B. Wilsey Center for Opera. Joined by members of Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, SF. Book here
March 16 – San Francisco, CA. Taube Atrium Theater, Wilsey Center for Opera. Joined by members of Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, SF. Book here
March 17 – Palo Alto, CA. Bing Concert Hall, Stanford University. Joined by members of Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, SF. Book here
March 19 – New York. Metropolitan Museum of Art. Book here
April 4 – Cleveland, OH. Cleveland Museum of Art. Gartner Auditorium Book here
Related Images:

Apollo's Fire US tour - Stanford University, Palo Alto
2023-03-17
Exile: Music of the Jewish & African Diasporas
Polina Shepherd is one of the featured singers in Exile: Music of the Jewish & African Diasporas – a programme by the Grammy winning International Baroque Orchestra Apollo’s Fire (Cleveland, Ohio).
“Expelled from their homes and scattered across the earth, exiled peoples have often found strength and resilience in their music. This new programme… celebrates the interwoven connections of the Sephardic, Ashkenazy, Palestinian and African traditions.”
USA Tour dates
March 8-10 – Cleveland, OH
March 11-12 – Chicago
March 15-16 – San Francisco, joined by members of Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, SF.
March 17 – Stanford University, Palo Alto
March 19 – New York. Metropolitan Museum
April 4 – Cleveland, OH
For more information and tickets, go here
Related Images:

Apollo's Fire US tour - New York
2023-03-19 15:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York)
Diaspora: Jewish Music of Longing and Celebration
The Met Fifth Avenue The Grace Rainey Rogers Auditorium
Polina Shepherd is one of the featured singers in Exile: Music of the Jewish & African Diasporas – a programme by the Grammy winning International Baroque Orchestra Apollo’s Fire (Cleveland, Ohio).
“Expelled from their homes and scattered across the earth, exiled peoples have often found strength and resilience in their music. This new programme… celebrates the interwoven connections of the Sephardic, Ashkenazy, Palestinian and African traditions.”
Apollo’s Fire, led by conductor-harpsichordist Jeannette Sorrell, has garnered praise for its “ingenious programme[s]” and “superlative music-making” (The Daily Telegraph). The GRAMMY®-winning ensemble has sold out performances at Carnegie Hall, the BBC Proms, the Tanglewood Festival, and the Royal Theatre of Madrid, among others. Returning to The Met for the first time in three years, they present a thrilling mélange of music—both familiar and recently discovered—from Sephardic and Ashkenazic Jewish traditions, plus selections from Baroque Italy’s small, but mighty community of Jewish composers.
Tickets start at $35 ($30 + $5 service fee)
MetLiveArts tickets include Museum admission on the day of the event. For more information, call 212-570-3949 or email meteventtix@metmuseum.org.

USA tour dates:
March 8 – Akron, OH, The BATH Church, book here
March 8 – Cleveland, OH, The Temple-Tifereth Israel, Beachwood, book here
March 10 – Cleveland, OH, West Shore Unitarian Universalist, Rocky River. book here
March 11- Evanston, IL. Music Institute of Chicago. Pre-Concert Conversation with the artists 30 minutes before the concert. Book here
March 12 – Chicago, Anshe Emet Synagogue. Pre-Concert Conversation with the artists 30 minutes before the concert. Book here
March 15 – San Francisco, CA. Taube Atrium Theater, Diane B. Wilsey Center for Opera. Joined by members of Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, SF. Book here
March 16 – San Francisco, CA. Taube Atrium Theater, Wilsey Center for Opera. Joined by members of Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, SF. Book here
March 17 – Palo Alto, CA. Bing Concert Hall, Stanford University. Joined by members of Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, SF. Book here
March 19 – New York. Metropolitan Museum of Art. Book here
April 4 – Cleveland, OH. Cleveland Museum of Art. Gartner Auditorium Book here
For more information and tickets, go here
Related Images:

Two shows at Folksbiene Yiddish Theatre, New York.
2023-03-26 | Folksbiene Yiddish Theatre, 36 Battery Place, New York, NY, 10280, United States
American Premiere – New Yiddish Theatrical Concert

pleytem tsuzamen – Refugees Together

March 26, 2023 @ 1PM & 6PM
BOOK HERE
READ MORE

pleytem tsuzamen / REFUGEES TOGETHER – a new Yiddish theatrical concert – music and lyrics by Josh Waletzky, book by Jeyn Levison, directed by Michael Barakiva – is making its U.S. premiere in NYC on March 26.

Yiddish singers and actors – Daniel Kahn, Svetlana Kundish, Sasha Lurje, Polina Shepherd and Joshua Waletzky.

Band – Merlin Shepherd, Polina Shepherd, Ilya Shneyveys, Jake Shulman-Ment , Beth Silver and Deborah Strauss.

Pleytem Tsuzamen (Refugees Together) is a call for solidarity with those who are most threatened. Confronting our current reality, the songs present a dynamic fusion of traditional forms with the social, political, and personal challenges posed by the world today — and they embody the power of music to foster the courage we need to “link arms and take to the streets together against bloodshed and hatred.”

Related Images:

Apollo's Fire US tour - Cleveland, OH
2023-04-04 19:30 - 21:30 (America/New_York)
Exile: Music of the Jewish & African Diasporas
Book here
Though stolen from their homeland and scattered across the world, both Jews and Africans found strength in their music. Discover the rhythms of the Jewish ghetto in 1620 – dances and prayers from the Ashkenazi, Sephardic, Jewish baroque, and North African traditions. A company of 24 musicians – including Jewish, Arab, and African-American artists – raise their voices in love and celebration.

Pre-concert talk by guest artists, Yiddish singer Polina Shepherd and Israeli recorder/ney player Daphna Mor, 1 hour before the performance.

Featured Artists
Polina Skovoroda Shepherd,soprano
Jacob Perry & Haitham Haidar,tenor
Jeffrey Strauss,baritone
Daphna Mor,recorder, ney, vocals
Merlin Shepherd,clarinets

Now a GRAMMY®-winning orchestra, Apollo’s Fire has performed sold-out concerts at Carnegie Hall, the BBC Proms, the Royal Theatre of Madrid, the Tanglewood Festival, the Metropolitan Museum of Art… and more! But what Apollo’s Fire musicians love most is bringing world-class performances to your doorstep – in a continuous “tour” of Northeast Ohio neighborhoods.
Founding Artistic Director Jeannette Sorrell is praised for her “inspired leadership” (THE INDEPENDENT, London) and “revelatory performances” (OPERA NEWS). Apollo’s Fire is dedicated to reviving the true spirit of baroque performances – not only with period instruments, but with the emotional impact the music was meant to convey.
USA Tour dates
March 8-10 – Cleveland, OH
March 11-12 – Chicago
March 15-16 – San Francisco, joined by members of Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, SF.
March 17 – Stanford University, Palo Alto
March 19 – New York. Metropolitan Museum
April 4 – Cleveland, OH
For more information and tickets, go here
Related Images:

Apollo’s Fire on tour - Heidelberg, Germany
2023-04-13 19:30 - 21:30 UTC
Apollo’s Fire O Jerusalem!
Part of Heidelberger Frühling Musikfestival
Main event link here
Polina Shepherd is one of the featured singers in Exile: Music of the Jewish & African Diasporas and O Jerusalem is a version of this programme tailored for this festival, a programme by the Grammy winning International Baroque Orchestra Apollo’s Fire (Cleveland, Ohio).
“Expelled from their homes and scattered across the earth, exiled peoples have often found strength and resilience in their music. This new programme… celebrates the interwoven connections of the Sephardic, Ashkenazy, Palestinian and African traditions.”
Venue: Neue Aula der Universität
For more information go here.

TICKETS HERE

Zur Faszination der Alten Musik vor der Barockzeit gehört die Tatsache, dass hohe Kunst und tägliche Praxis, Konzert und Ritual oft ganz nah beieinanderliegen. Apollo’s Fire, das sensationelle Ensemble aus Cleveland, Ohio, und seine Leiterin Jeannette Sorrell bringen die besten Vokalist*innen und Instrumentalsolist*innen aus dem Grenzbereich zwischen westlicher und orientalischer Musik zusammen. Selten hat der Brückenschlag zwischen den Kulturen derart natürlich und vital geklungen. Das aktuelle Programm der Amerikaner*innen nimmt in Jerusalem, der Stadt der drei Religionen, seinen Ausgang. Musiken aus der Levante, aus Nordafrika, Spanien und Italien lassen den inspirierenden Austausch der jüdischen Diaspora mit den Kulturen ihrer Zufluchtsländer erfahrbar werden. Die Klangreise führt von jüdischen Hochzeitstänzen über Claudio Monteverdi bis zu arabischen Taksim-Improvisationen.
Das Konzert ist Teil des Programmschwerpunkts „Trans- und Interkulturelles“.
Konzert mit Pause
Dauer ca. 1,5 Stunden

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Apollo's Fire International tour - London
2023-04-17 19:30 - 21:30 (Europe/London) | St Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square, London, WC2N 4JH
Final concert of Apollo’s Fire International tour
Exile: Music of the Jewish & African Diasporas

BOOK HERE
Polina Shepherd is one of the featured singers in Exile: Music of the Jewish & African Diasporas – a programme by the Grammy winning International Baroque Orchestra Apollo’s Fire (Cleveland, Ohio).
“Expelled from their homes and scattered across the earth, exiled peoples have often found strength and resilience in their music. This new programme… celebrates the interwoven connections of the Sephardic, Ashkenazy, Palestinian and African traditions.”
For more information and tickets, go here
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Apollo’s Fire on tour – Fulda, Germany
2023-04-22
Exile: Music of the Jewish & African Diasporas

Event link
Polina Shepherd is one of the featured singers in Exile: Music of the Jewish & African Diasporas – a programme by the Grammy winning International Baroque Orchestra Apollo’s Fire (Cleveland, Ohio).
“Expelled from their homes and scattered across the earth, exiled peoples have often found strength and resilience in their music. This new programme… celebrates the interwoven connections of the Sephardic, Ashkenazy, Palestinian and African traditions.”
For more information and tickets on Apollo’s Fire website, go here

Musik der jüdischen und afrikanischen Diasporas
Apollo’s Fire – The Cleveland Baroque Orchestra
Jeannette Sorrell, Leitung, Cembalo und Programmgestaltung
TICKETS ERHALTEN SIE HIER.
Polina Skovoroda Shepherd, Sopran
Jacob Perry, Tenor
Haitham Haidar, Tenor
Jeffrey Strauss, Bariton
Daphna Mor, Recorder, Ney, Vocals
Ihrer Heimat entrissen und auf der ganzen Welt verstreut, fanden Juden und Afrikaner Kraft und Inspiration in der Musik und bewahrten mit dieser sowohl ihre kulturelle Identität als auch ihre Seele als Volk. In dieser musikalischen Reise durch die jüdischen und afrikanischen Diasporas erkundet Apollo’s Fire die bemerkenswerte Widerstandsfähigkeit dieser geknechteten Menschen zwischen 1600 und 1850. Musik des jüdischen Barockkomponisten Salamone Rosse und des jüdisch inspirierten Komponisten Benedetto Marcello ist mit den Rhythmen des Lebens im Ghetto verwoben: Lieder, Tänze und Gebete ashkenazischer, sephardischer und nordafrikanischer Traditionen.
22 MusikerInnen – einschließlich jüdischer, palästinensischer und afrikanisch-amerikanischer KünstlerInnen – erheben ihre Stimmen für Zugehörigkeit und Festlichkeit.
Abonnement: Konzert-Abo
Veranstaltungsdauer: N. N.

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Brighton Fringe, Russian choirs and Klezmer Duo concert.
2023-05-19 16:00 - 17:00 UTC
Part of Brighton Fringe Festival

Presented by Fail Better Productions: Khorovod: Music from the Steppes and the Shtetl
Venue: Spiegeltent (Old Steine, Brighton) 19 of May 4.00 – 5.00
Follow the Sun from East to West in a circle of traditional music from Eastern Europe.
The khorovod is an East Slavic and pagan ritual: over a 1000 years ago communities sang and danced in a circle, the circle symbolising the Sun. We invite you into our khorovod.
Listen to peasant songs about love, potatoes and Siberian village life. Weep at a Cossack lament for lost youth. Let your heart be lifted by raucous folk songs from the steppes. Add flavours from a Tatar Bazaar, hear the echoes of distant voices shouting “Mazl tov!” at a Jewish wedding in Bessarabia. Join the community singing soulful nigunim – Hassidic songs without words… add a sprinkle of spices from Turkey and the Mediterranean. Finally wash it all down with an Odessa fisherman’s melody.
This heartfelt and joyous programme is presented by the Brighton & Hove and London Russian choirs with an internationally renowned Klezmer duo Merlin Shepherd (clarinets) and Polina Shepherd (voice, piano).
***The Brighton & Hove and the London Russian choirs are independent community choirs bringing together music lovers of all backgrounds. They promote culture, peace, unity and build bridges through singing.
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The Green Week Russian Choir concert in Brighton
2023-06-10 15:00 - 17:00 UTC | BHASVIC, 205 Dyke Road, Hove, BN3 6EG, United Kingdom
The Brighton & Hove and London Russian Choirs
with support from the Sussex Russian Centre Kalinka
Book here
In early June, Slavic folks celebrate the Green Week – a seasonal festival with rituals to boost nature’s fertility. It is also called the Rusalka (Mermaid) Week as at this time mermaids were believed to leave the water, swing on branches of birch trees and dance in circles. Our festive concert celebrates this ancient tradition: we will sing pagan Rusalka songs, village dance songs, Russian and Ukrainian folk songs about nature. We will also link to Russian urban life, with Orthodox chants and Art Songs performed by the choir and our soloists.
Tea and coffee with traditional home cooked snacks will be available thanks to the Sussex Russian Centre Kalinka.
Come and welcome the summer with us!
The Brighton & Hove and London Russian Choirs bring together music lovers of all backgrounds. We are not affiliated with any political, ideological or religious body. We promote culture, music, peace, unity and building bridges through singing.

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Village Harmony Teen Camp. New England, USA
2023-06-30 - 2023-07-16
A teen singing camp in Massachusetts (June 30-July 6) followed by a 11-day concert tour around New England organised by Village Harmony.

More info and booking here

Village Harmony is an un-auditioned, inclusive group whose only demands of would-be members is that they be committed to making good music. This has resulted in a choir whose sound remains dynamic, unpredictable, and absolutely exciting year after year. With their easy command of phenomenally varied singing styles and infectiously joyous stage presence, Village Harmony ensembles always knock people’s socks off.

VH teen traveling camp is always led by a team of music leaders, including native teachers who bring first hand expertise in particular traditions.

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Village Harmony Teen World Music Ensemble - Hadley, MA
2023-07-07 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Halifax) | Wesley United Methodist Church, 98 N Maple St, Hadley, 01035, United States
Village Harmony, the remarkable teen world music ensemble, presents its annual summer concert program.
Friday, July 7, 7:00pm: Hadley, MA – Wesley United Methodist Church, 98 North Maple St

The group is led by Polina Shepherd from the UK, Sinead O’Mahoney, and Carl Linich. The 24 brilliant teen singers come from nine states plus Canada and France. Admission is by donation at the door. For further information visit www.villageharmony.org or email villageharmony@gmail.com.
Village Harmony, a non-profit umbrella organization based in Vermont, promotes the study and performance of ethnic singing traditions from around the world. For more than thirty years they have organized teen ensembles each summer in New England and ensembles for mixed-age and adult singers in numerous foreign countries. Each Village Harmony ensemble develops its own unique sound with a different team of leaders. All share common traits: a powerful, natural, unrestrained vocal sound; a remarkable variety of vocal styles and timbres appropriate to the ethnic and traditional music; and a visible, vibrant community among the singers and audience as they share in a joyful celebration of music.
Polina Shepherd was born in Siberia and grew up in a home where songs were regularly sung at a family table. She is now and internationally-renowned singer with a sound deeply rooted in eastern European Jewish and Russian folk. Her choir work is united by the umbrella of The Polina Shepherd Vocal Experience and covers many aspects of vocal music from highly arranged and conducted pieces to on-spot choral improvisations. VH alumna Sinead O’Mahoney has been singing and traveling with Village Harmony for 15 years. She has been praised for her sure command of rhythm and efficient teaching style, and will lead American shape-note songs as well as songs from the Balkans and South Africa. Carl Linich has been studying, singing, and teaching traditional polyphonic folk and liturgical music from Caucasus Georgia since 1990, and has been sharing it with Village Harmony for over two decades. He has directed the Supruli Choir in New York City, the Bard College Georgian Choir, and his own family trio with his two sons.

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Village Harmony Teen World Music Ensemble - West Cummington, MA
2023-07-08 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Halifax)
Village Harmony, the remarkable teen world music ensemble, presents its annual summer concert program.

West Cummington, MA – Congregational Church, 27 West Main St

The group is led by Polina Shepherd from the UK, Sinead O’Mahoney, and Carl Linich. The 24 brilliant teen singers come from nine states plus Canada and France. Admission is by donation at the door. For further information visit www.villageharmony.org or email villageharmony@gmail.com.
Village Harmony, a non-profit umbrella organization based in Vermont, promotes the study and performance of ethnic singing traditions from around the world. For more than thirty years they have organized teen ensembles each summer in New England and ensembles for mixed-age and adult singers in numerous foreign countries. Each Village Harmony ensemble develops its own unique sound with a different team of leaders. All share common traits: a powerful, natural, unrestrained vocal sound; a remarkable variety of vocal styles and timbres appropriate to the ethnic and traditional music; and a visible, vibrant community among the singers and audience as they share in a joyful celebration of music.
Polina Shepherd was born in Siberia and grew up in a home where songs were regularly sung at a family table. She is now and internationally-renowned singer with a sound deeply rooted in eastern European Jewish and Russian folk. Her choir work is united by the umbrella of The Polina Shepherd Vocal Experience and covers many aspects of vocal music from highly arranged and conducted pieces to on-spot choral improvisations. VH alumna Sinead O’Mahoney has been singing and traveling with Village Harmony for 15 years. She has been praised for her sure command of rhythm and efficient teaching style, and will lead American shape-note songs as well as songs from the Balkans and South Africa. Carl Linich has been studying, singing, and teaching traditional polyphonic folk and liturgical music from Caucasus Georgia since 1990, and has been sharing it with Village Harmony for over two decades. He has directed the Supruli Choir in New York City, the Bard College Georgian Choir, and his own family trio with his two sons.

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Village Harmony Teen World Music Ensemble - Newton, MA
2023-07-09 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Halifax)
Village Harmony, the remarkable teen world music ensemble, presents its annual summer concert program.

Newton, MA – Grace Episcopal Church, 76 Eldredge St

The group is led by Polina Shepherd from the UK, Sinead O’Mahoney, and Carl Linich. The 24 brilliant teen singers come from nine states plus Canada and France. Admission is by donation at the door. For further information visit www.villageharmony.org or email villageharmony@gmail.com.
Village Harmony, a non-profit umbrella organization based in Vermont, promotes the study and performance of ethnic singing traditions from around the world. For more than thirty years they have organized teen ensembles each summer in New England and ensembles for mixed-age and adult singers in numerous foreign countries. Each Village Harmony ensemble develops its own unique sound with a different team of leaders. All share common traits: a powerful, natural, unrestrained vocal sound; a remarkable variety of vocal styles and timbres appropriate to the ethnic and traditional music; and a visible, vibrant community among the singers and audience as they share in a joyful celebration of music.
Polina Shepherd was born in Siberia and grew up in a home where songs were regularly sung at a family table. She is now and internationally-renowned singer with a sound deeply rooted in eastern European Jewish and Russian folk. Her choir work is united by the umbrella of The Polina Shepherd Vocal Experience and covers many aspects of vocal music from highly arranged and conducted pieces to on-spot choral improvisations. VH alumna Sinead O’Mahoney has been singing and traveling with Village Harmony for 15 years. She has been praised for her sure command of rhythm and efficient teaching style, and will lead American shape-note songs as well as songs from the Balkans and South Africa. Carl Linich has been studying, singing, and teaching traditional polyphonic folk and liturgical music from Caucasus Georgia since 1990, and has been sharing it with Village Harmony for over two decades. He has directed the Supruli Choir in New York City, the Bard College Georgian Choir, and his own family trio with his two sons.

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Village Harmony Teen World Music Ensemble - Yarmouth, ME
2023-07-10 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Halifax)
Village Harmony, the remarkable teen world music ensemble, presents its annual summer concert program.

7:00pm
Yarmouth, ME – Unitarian Church, 97 Main St

The group is led by Polina Shepherd from the UK, Sinead O’Mahoney, and Carl Linich. The 24 brilliant teen singers come from nine states plus Canada and France. Admission is by donation at the door. For further information visit www.villageharmony.org or email villageharmony@gmail.com.
Village Harmony, a non-profit umbrella organization based in Vermont, promotes the study and performance of ethnic singing traditions from around the world. For more than thirty years they have organized teen ensembles each summer in New England and ensembles for mixed-age and adult singers in numerous foreign countries. Each Village Harmony ensemble develops its own unique sound with a different team of leaders. All share common traits: a powerful, natural, unrestrained vocal sound; a remarkable variety of vocal styles and timbres appropriate to the ethnic and traditional music; and a visible, vibrant community among the singers and audience as they share in a joyful celebration of music.
Polina Shepherd was born in Siberia and grew up in a home where songs were regularly sung at a family table. She is now and internationally-renowned singer with a sound deeply rooted in eastern European Jewish and Russian folk. Her choir work is united by the umbrella of The Polina Shepherd Vocal Experience and covers many aspects of vocal music from highly arranged and conducted pieces to on-spot choral improvisations. VH alumna Sinead O’Mahoney has been singing and traveling with Village Harmony for 15 years. She has been praised for her sure command of rhythm and efficient teaching style, and will lead American shape-note songs as well as songs from the Balkans and South Africa. Carl Linich has been studying, singing, and teaching traditional polyphonic folk and liturgical music from Caucasus Georgia since 1990, and has been sharing it with Village Harmony for over two decades. He has directed the Supruli Choir in New York City, the Bard College Georgian Choir, and his own family trio with his two sons.

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