Klezmer music and storytelling mark a joyous Jewish holiday

Island musicians Emily Pruiksma, Shane Jewell and Tom Pruiksma will put on their old world hats and join poet and storyteller Merna Ann Hecht in an evening of Klezmer music and stories drawn from East-ern European and Middle Eastern traditions. The event will take place at 7 p.m. Saturday at Havurat Ee Shalom, 15401 Westside Hwy.

May 29, 2012 5:18 pm
From left
From left

Island musicians Emily Pruiksma, Shane Jewell and Tom Pruiksma will put on their old world hats and join poet and storyteller Merna Ann Hecht in an evening of Klezmer music and stories drawn from East-ern European and Middle Eastern traditions. The event will take place  at 7 p.m. Saturday at Havurat Ee Shalom, 15401 Westside Hwy.

This program of haunting music and spirited stories is in honor of Shavuot, the joyful Jewish holiday that originally celebrated the arrival of the first fruits of spring and bread fashioned from new wheat. Shavuot also marks the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai.

“I love the agricultural roots of Shavuot,” said Hecht. “And I love the chance to bring music and storytelling together.”

The music, most of which has been arranged by Jewell, includes a meditative doyne, traditional folk tunes, a jazz-influenced waltz and lively dances. Instrumentation will include fiddle, violin, mandolin, viola, banjo and accordion.

Saturday’s performance is free, with donations gratefully accepted by the artists. Light refreshments of bread, fruit and cheese, in keeping with the holiday’s traditions, will follow.