Gary Cristall (photo by Brian Nation) ‘My Jewish identity has always been associated with the struggle for basic human values and rights and freedoms,” said Gary Cristall, co-founder of the Vancouver Folk Music Festival, in conversation with the Jewish Independent.…
Local group MNGWA helps open the World Music Festival on April 26. (photo from Vancouver World Music Festival) The Vancouver World Music Festival celebrates cultural diversity through music, and world-class musicians from Mexico, Brazil, Africa, Spain, the United States and…
Shlomi Shaban will be joined by Ninet Tayeb (right) at Metro Vancouver’s celebration of Yom Ha’atzmaut on April 18 at the Chan Centre. (photo from Jewish Federation) Two award-winning veteran musicians, not to mention good and longtime friends, will be…
(photo from jaegerreidmusic.com) An unexpected kindness reignites a passion for music, which offers an outlet for grief, as well as a new career path. A chance meeting turns into a mutually supportive, productive and enduring musical collaboration. We often forget…
Anna Levy (photo from Yarilo Contemporary Music Society) My mother’s maiden name was Levy, my dad’s surname was also Levy. My story is about life. None of my family was killed during the Holocaust. I am alive because I grew up…
Tamar Ilana leads a Sephardi singing workshop Feb. 20 and she and her ensemble, Ventanas, have five shows in British Columbia. (photo by Zahra Saleki) Tamar Ilana and Ventanas wind up their Arrelumbre tour with six engagements in British Columbia,…
Choir director and singer Earle Peach, seated at centre, with members of Highs and Lows Choir. (photo by Kathleen Yang) For more than 20 years, Highs and Lows Choir has brought music back into the lives of its members. Established…
Woody Forster and Devora Laye of the Burying Ground. (photo by Mary Matheson) Contrary to what you might expect, given the band’s name, there is much joy in the Burying Ground. Woody Forster and Devora Laye obviously love what they…
On classical favourite is Beethoven. (image from Schirmer’s Library of Musical Classics) Music, my love! Where can one start with this subject? For many, it is a highly emotional issue. Watching young people at a rave or rock concert, we…
“Maoz Tzur,” recording by Abraham Tzevi Idelsohn. (photo from Music in the Jewish Community of Palestine 1880-1948 by Yehoash Hirschberg) What do we have every year at Chanukah but rarely think about in terms of their origins? The songs. In…
