2010 PERFORMANCES

Arriving in Leeds, following a triumphant sell–out in London and the Edinburgh Fringe 2009, Lionel Blair is on tour with his inimitable charm.

Amidst beautifully choreographed songs such as Me and My Shadow and They Can’t Take That Away from Me, Lionel captivates his audience with spellbinding anecdotes, from tea at Number 10 and personal engagements with Liza Minnelli, to his legendary performances with Sammy Davis Jnr.

Share in this festive gem which revisits one of the most colourful showbiz careers of all time.

'Scandalously charming' THE SCOTSMAN

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Her mother was shot. Her father jailed. Then he married her aunt. This is Brenda Adelman’s true tale of forgiving the unforgivable.

“My Brooklyn Hamlet” is Brenda’s acclaimed one-woman show about family, murder, love, betrayal and the awesome power of forgiveness.

In 1995 Adelman’s mother was shot and killed by her father and within months he married her mother’s sister. This is a story about love and hate, passion and numbness and how to find joy after you’ve lost everything.

The show ends with your chance to find out her inner thoughts, as Brenda opens up for a frank and honest question and answer session.

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Hip-hop, street dance and some ‘serious cool’ are displayed, when this dynamic show for all ages hits the stage with the return of the Tel-Aviv Youth Performing Arts Academy.

Wowing audiences once again for the 10th Anniversary of the Festival, this show is a must see!

The Academy, run by directors and choreographers from the former Soviet Union, produces some of the slickest choreography displayed at international Festivals. Many of the most talented children from the length and breadth of Israel are trained there.

Singers, Michal Vainshtook and Avigal Cohen, young Israeli stars in the making, weave their vocals between fast moving dance sets.

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The festival is honoured to welcome back this dramatic diva with a powerful voice and stunning stage presence.

Israeli born Mor Karbasi, at the tender age of 22, burst upon London’s global music scene with the release of her first album "The Beauty and The Sea". The Festival was fortunate enough to stage Mor’s show around this time, blowing audiences away with her first visit to Leeds.

Since then, Mor’s following and demand has rocketed with her sell out shows in Ladino, Spanish, Hebrew and English, sending her all over the world to thrill audiences with what the JC describes as "Spine tingling Gypsy Music".

With her roots directly descending from both Moroccan and Persian Jews, Mor has always been an avid promoter of Flamenco providing a strong flavour throughout all her songs.

Mor returns for one night only to deliver exceptional songs from her new album released this year, along with her band of top musicians.

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Daniel Cainer is winning hearts wherever he goes — not only because of his fine musicianship, but also because his songs are really stories which keep audiences hooked to the end of the narrative. Warm, open, intimate and very, very funny, Daniel shares, without judgment, the universal insights discovered while exploring his roots.

The Jewish Chronicles is a literal title: this is Daniel’s personal journey in comic songs about his family and the Jewish world. Frank without controversy, personal without confrontation or any trace of bitterness, the songs are light but each is deeply felt.

An absolute hit from the 2007 Festival, see Daniel Cainer, with his new songs, at this year’s 10th Anniversary celebration!

"Sophisticated, witty and touching" - Manchester Evening News

"Warm, open, intimate, frank and funny...you’d have to be a schmuck to miss it" - Best of Brighton Fringe

http://www.jewishchronicles.com/

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Joshua Nelson and The Kosher Gospel Singers, bring to the Festival a performance and a singing style which is breathtaking in its originality.

Imagine the well-loved prayers and words which we hear in the synagogue - and present them in a way which is totally unique – that of a Black Soul Singer! That’s Joshua Nelson and his Kosher Gospel Show.

Born and raised Jewish, Joshua, after studying further Judaism in Israel, returned to America, where he began to apply this understanding to music. Thus began what has been called “a revolution in Jewish music” by combining Jewish liturgical lyrics with one of America’s best-known indigenous musical forms - and kosher gospel music was born!

Television presenter Oprah called him “The Next Big Thing” and his huge success in the States is now set to be repeated in the U.K.

For Joshua Nelson, kosher gospel is a way to claim both parts of his identity as a Black Jew. For his audiences, whatever their faith or heritage, kosher gospel has been a revelation!

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Sol Bernstein is a decidedly old-school Jewish comic, straight outta the Catskills, with the relentless patter and sharp tongue on which the entire stand-up art form was founded.

He’s not real, of course. Only a schmuck – or the critic who reviewed his Edinburgh show as if he were – would think that. Rather, he’s the alter ego of London comic Steve Jameson, who plays this quirky older character who has added a few years and a lot more chutzpah to his own personality to create him.

There is something about the rat-a-tat rhythms and occasional lapses into Yiddish slang that made the comics of the original so-called Borscht Belt inherently funny, and Jameson is keen to capitalise on that.

There are cracks about his advancing years, and plenty of quick, spiky insults sure to shock and humour.

"His style is so old fashioned, it's hip" Time Out

"A fine craftsman" Time Out

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Hans, an outrageous young camp German homosexual, and Benjamin, a conservative elderly Jewish man appear at first to have little in common. Working together, repairing watches for the Nazis, suspicion and prejudice indifference slowly give way to a touching friendship. Benjamin can mend watches. Hans knows how to survive. None of them can really sing opera. So what’s to be done? Humour, apparently, is a great weapon.

This award-winning drama, which has toured Israel to great acclaim with this cast for over eight years, deals with the Holocaust in a way that accentuates the private experience amidst a tragedy of millions. It became an 'International hit' and "The most performed Israeli piece of theatre in the world"

"This is a really beautiful, intense piece of theatre… It is all too rare to see such a gripping and moving production in a smaller fringe theatre and all involved are to be congratulated… catch it while you can." - The British Theatre Guide

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Be part of this explosive ending to the Festival when The Joe Leader Collective bring their sweltering hot jazz, funk soul and pop to the main stage.

Hailed as one of the most popular performances to date at the Fest and a “must have” for the 10th Anniversary, this dynamic, diverse, top class show band, led by award winning, charismatic saxophonist, Joe Leader, will deliver a night to remember!

A featured artist at many international Jazz festivals, Joe will appear with six of his world class musicians.

The collective features “ the lady with the big voice”, vocalist, Rietta Austin. Originally from New Zealand and described as being “up there with Anastacia” by the music press, Rietta has appeared on the same bill as Bryan Adams, and supported Joe Cocker in Moscow.

The show also features Ben Seifert, a classically trained vocalist at the Royal Academy of Music, who thrilled us last year with his awesome Jewish twist on the show.

There’ll be dancing in the aisles at this unmissable evening!

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For over a decade, actor, writer and peace activist Ibrahim Miari, has been involved in creating theatre connected to the Middle East conflict.

Born in the northern Israeli city of Acco, this Jewish-Arab-Israeli has spent most of his life experiencing the conflict and cultural tensions between Arabs and Jews, Palestinians and Israelis.

Now Ibrahim, feeling the need to explore beyond the arena of politics, has created a semi-autobiographical compelling drama.

Son of a Palestinian Muslim father and Jewish Israeli mother, the play takes place during an interrogation by Israeli airport security. He recalls his childhood in Acco, memories of his Jewish and Palestinian grandmothers and of war.

Questions surrounding his identity become even further complicated by his imminent marriage to a Jewish American woman.

This is a powerful, thought-provoking play that deals with both sides of the equation seen through the eyes of one man.

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Ready for a laugh? Back from 2006, Lenny Ravich will deliver an evening involving audience participation on humorous skills and on how to laugh at yourself and not take things too seriously!

Lenny knows it's good to laugh out loud. He’ll start by entertaining you with some new ways of looking at life and how to “dance life rather than drag it,” (the message of his book: A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To Enlightenment). He’ll then launch into a fun filled evening when he shows you how to laugh in the face of change- a great antidote for stress!

Lenny believes that reality can be altered according to your will, by adding a positive, supportive atmosphere as an important ingredient in your work, as well as your daily lives.

He will allow the audience to acquire some of the "nonsense" stress busters: such as talking gibberish, laughing for no reason. Those who would prefer not to join in actively are encouraged to remain as a supportive audience and experience joyful merriment on the sidelines.

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Suave, swinging and sophisticated, Boybershop is a quartet of trained singers with a tuneful and energetic repertoire ranging from classic barbershop music and close harmony arrangements to the familiar melodies of the synagogue and popular songs. The quartet also performs its own hilarious, satirical, and unmistakably Jewish compositions.

Sharing top billing is our very own Howard Lee, one of Leeds’ most popular laughter-makers, with new jokes and anecdotes delivered with that easy charm and twinkling eye we love so well.

In contrasting entertainment styles, they’ll take you on a journey through music and comedy that’s not to be missed!

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A brand new play by Leeds-born Brian Daniels, takes a light hearted look at a somewhat dysfunctional family in a suburban Jewish community.

Twenty-five year old Michele is desperate to flee the nest and chase her big dreams in the big top – but will the grass be greener? Older sister Lucille, is set to marry her rich fiancé – but why the hurry?

Catch a glimpse of the relationships between three generations of Northern Jewish women, and see how even an overbearing Mother and a demanding Grandmother have the capacity to surprise us.

Is life for living or is it for pleasing the matriarchs… and is it really possible to do both? And where is the father figure?

Laugh at the squabbles and jokes that bind people together in this heart warming tale with a twist.

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Spend a nostalgic evening in the company of local performers, bringing to life your favourite Jewish artist’s from the golden era of Old Time Music Hall.

Come and hear the greatest hits from the most popular Jewish performers of this era, such as Sophie Tucker, Richard Tauber, Shnozzle Durante, Frankie Vaughn and songs from the original star of the stage herself, Thelma Rubi.

The cast comprises mainly of local performers and will make for a sparkling evening of nostalgia!

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Would you like to Tango? Argentine Tango is a dance that is born through the conversation of both partners: no sequences, no choreographies, just the man leading the woman who emulates and decorates his moves, maintaining a strong communication within the dancing couple.

Yohann and Janeen from Tango Yorkshire will provide you with a general understanding of the nature of the dance, teach the skills and mechanics needed and give you basic knowledge and experience needed to dance socially.

An even number of Leaders and Followers are required, these can be two men, two women or one of each!

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Leeds born journalist, broadcaster and actor John Fisher has been involved in Jewish amateur dramatics since he appeared in two plays for BBC Children’s Hour in the 1950’s.

When he was 14 he joined Jewish drama group The Proscenium Players where he stayed for 25 years. These were the best years of his life, he claims.

John is author of an absorbing, comprehensible account about the group since its inception in 1948.

“This is the first time this inspiring and heart warming story has been told and alongside London artistic director and writer Brian Daniels, he will be discussing aspects of the amateur stage movement and the people who were responsible for contributing to the Players’ enormous success in the city.

An Audience of Curious People has been published this month and has been written with an affectionate understanding and knowledge of amateur theatre, actors and the Leeds Jewish community.

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Tues 8th June 2:00pm - 3:00pm £3.00
Singing for Pleasure
Come along and enjoy a pleasurable afternoon of popular songs delivered by the MAZCC Centre’s own resident choir "Singing for Pleasure" led by Joan Stevens.

Thurs 10th June 2:00pm - 3:00pm £3.00
Thelma Ruby in conversation
Stuart Woolf, accomplished Director of high-level music & drama productions, will interview Leeds-born Thelma about her career and her life.

Tues 15th June 2:00pm - 3:00pm £3.00
Centre Players
This entertaining afternoon will showcase highlights from shows performed over the past 10 years. Enjoy hilarious sketches and comic gems led by Ruth Bush and Helen Lorie.

Wed 16th June 2:00pm - 3:00pm £3.00
Evergreen
Evergreen will be performing songs, sketches and dances covering the war years between 1914 and 1945. Directed by Gerald Lestner.

Thurs 17th June 2:00pm - 3:00pm £3.00
Irene Summers Concert Group
Join Irene and her entertaining group on the high seas on a journey of discovery with a nautical flavour.

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