The New York Klezmer Series (formerly East Village Klezmer Series) has been bringing wonderful Klezmer Music and Yiddish Dance to NYC since 2010. The series consistently presents world class artists in an intimate setting at the Stephen Wise Free Synagogue (68th St.) , in addition to providing education and a place for all to come and participate in this wonderful and often neglected part of Jewish and American Culture. Klezmer music is the instrumental party music of the Jewish People from Eastern Europe – (Ashkenazim). It’s origins are in the 16th century, and it has evolved and assimilated local influences.

The New York Klezer Series includes:

• Tantsheiser (Dance Parties): Once a month we will present, along with the Center for Traditional Music and Dance, a Tantshoyz – Yiddish dance party, with a renowned Yiddish Dance specialist, and a professional dance band. 


• Klezmer Workshops every Tuesday, led by Aaron Alexander, and/or the concert artist of the day. Repertoire, style, form and ornamentation are the focus of these workshops. Often the participants have an opportunity to play the current songs at the jam session after the concert. Concert artists will include: Frank London’s Klezmer Brass All-Stars, Alicia Svigals w/Patrick Farrell, Elaine and Susan Hoffman-Watts, Michael Winograd’s “Leviticus”, Strauss/Warschauer Duo, Jake Shulman-Ment, Margot Leverett & Klezmer Mountain Boys, Eve Sicular’s “Metropolitan Klezmer”, Lisa n Sruli Family Band, Aaron Alexander & the Klez Messengers, Dmitri Slepovitch’s “Litvakus”, Levitt Legacy Band, and many others.


• New York Kidz Klezmer, which will be geared toward teens and tweens. Once a week, (Tues. from 4-5pm) musicians will get together to learn, rehearse music and then perform in local nursing homes, programs for children with special needs and other community based events. This will be co-led by Alexander & Zach Mayer. Musicians in fifth grade and up are welcome to participate, with at least one year of instrument instruction and the ability to play a chromatic scale, read music, and play in a band setting with other musicians.