Remembering Adrienne, z”l…
Adrienne's Wedding Blessings
It is with a heavy heart and unbearable sorrow that the world now mourns the passing of our sister, Adrienne Cooper z”l.
She was my mentor, my surrogate mother, spiritual guide, partner in crime and a dear, dear friend. Adrienne lives on through her music and her words, but our community will never be the same without her sweet smile, those sparkling eyes and her warm embrace.
As the Three Yiddish Divas, Adrienne, Tova and I traveled the world together – and each city was another adventure. We made each other laugh, toasted our successes, shared our secrets and forged unique friendships. As I share these pictures, the memories are a comfort in this time of incredible sadness.
Zol zi hobn a likhtikn gan-eydn.
Kovod ir ondenk… may her memory be for a blessing.
Read More
The end of a beautiful Summer…
What a terrific Summer, filled with music, Yiddishkayt and great friends…
with Frank London at KlezKanada (photo by Mookie Parago)
- KlezKamp in Madison! — What a privilege to be part of this inaugural event! Many thanks to Sherry Mayrent, Henry Sopoznik and the University of Wisconsin’s Center for Jewish Studies for making Yiddish music and culture a part of their ongoing curriculum.
- Ot Azoy / Tumbala in London!! — This was my second appearance at the University of London/Jewish Music Institute’s festival of Jewish Language and Song. Collaborating with Shura Lipovsky, Polina Shepherd, Helen Khayele Beer and Sonya Pincusowitz (among many others) was a huge highlight of this wonderful experience. Also, I had the opportunity to see lots of great theatre, including London Road at the National Theatre and Anne Boleyn at Shakespeare’s Globe.
- KlezKanada in the beautiful Laurentian Mountains!!! Besides being able to share this exciting week with my husband, it was great to be surrounded by the music of Theodore Bikel, Tamara Brooks and their groundbreaking project, Serendipity 4.
- Performing with Yiddish Hip-Hop star So-Called aka Josh Dolgin and the Klezmer Conservatory Band in Mexico City!!!! The 90th Anniversary of the Ashkenazi community in Mexico City was a huge success. So many languages in one room… Yiddish, Spanish, Hebrew, Ladino… listening to the audience as they sung along to all of our Yiddish favorites was remarkable…
- And finally, singing at Yiddishfest 2011 at Tompkins Square Park, NYC with Grammy winners Arturo O’Farrill and Frank London!!!!! The Workmen’s Circle/Arbeter Ring continues its commitment to Yiddish culture in this final free concert of the 2011 Season.
Keep an eye out for upcoming Fall events, including Rosh Hashone and Yom Kippur Observances at the new Workmen’s Circle in New York, a Kosher Kabaret in Jericho, NY, and a return engagement at Valley Beth Sholom in Encino, California.
Hope to see you all soon!!
Read More
Divas on the Danube…
Three Yiddish Divas Dazzle Vienna
The Whirlwind Tour!
Three Yiddish Divas in Vienna
We arrived on Thursday, rehearsed early Friday, then performed on Saturday night to a sold-out crowd at Vienna’s magnificent Konzerthaus, Berio-Saal. It was all part of the Juddischer Kulturherbst 2010.
Lovingly subtitled: Humor – Weisheiten (Wisdom) – Musik. “Oj, s’is gut!” indeed, it was very, very good. The festival presenters wined us and dined us… and the entire experience was sumptuous and grand!
600 Year old buildings and me...
If you’ve never been to Vienna, it is certainly one of Europe’s most beautiful cities. Walking through the 1st district, every step is a complication of medieval architecture, Imperial opulence and contemporary 21st Century commercialism. Mind boggling ~ thought-provoking ~ really expensive! Whoa! Vienna’s history is also a complex realm, especially in dealing with the causes and aftermath of the occupation. As artists performing in a Yiddish festival, it was not lost on any of us that this is an ongoing dilemma.
Vienna's Konzerthaus
But Vienna’s revitalized Jewish community is alive, diverse and thriving. We attended Shabbos services at the Stadtempel on Judenstrasse, the largest congregation in Vienna – a city known for it’s a capella choral mastery. I didn’t know what to expect, but as we walked through the doors, the 19th Century hall echoed with the voices of an eight-man choir chanting the service with moving emotion. My great grandparents were born into this Austrian musical tradition, and I can’t help but think my own family’s love of a capella Barbershop singing was inspired by this legacy. It’s a thought, right?
Auf vider zehen, Wien… until we meet again!
Read More
A Concert with Lorin Sklamberg
Performing with Lorin Sklamberg at the YIVO Heritage Dinner
On April 26th, I had the opportunity to perform at the 9th Annual YIVO Heritage Dinner in New York City. As always, working with Lorin Sklamberg is just a dream… We sang a wide range of songs, including the Barry Sisters’ “Prost un Pushet” (Plain and Simple) , “Regnboygn” (Rainbow) from Kids & Yiddish and The Klezmatics’ version of Chava Alberstein’s “Di Krenitse” (The Well).
After 15 months on the road with Fiddler on the Roof, it was a pleasure to take my day off to sing those beautiful Yiddish words on the stage with one of my favorite collaborators. Our program, “Harts un Soul” has been patiently waiting for us to put voice to it again, and what better place than the Institute for Jewish research.
And the next day, I was back in Washington, DC at the National Theatre with Fiddler. Harvey’s back in the show, and as usual, we’re getting rave reviews and selling out. So what could be bad?
Read More
Joanne WHO?
I'm a New York based broadway actor and singer who also performs in concerts and music festivals across the U.S., Canada and Europe. When I'm not on tour, I write and direct a really hip and innovative off-b'way kids show ~ I'm on the council of Actors' Equity and frequently sing the national anthem at professional sporting events. I love Barbershop harmony, playing my little red accordion and my husband's cooking... That's me!!