The familiar ceilidh/barn dance format (live music, dance leader, fun) but the music and steps are old-style Jewish, rather than Celtic. Participants enjoy hopping selections of Jewish and cosmopolitan community and couple dances.
This is barndancing Jewish-style, creating memorable occasions for all ages and abilities.
Ilana leads dancing with the London Klezmer Quartet
A compilation video showing some of the old and new Yiddish and cosmopolitan dances.
And here are a couple of clips of Ilana calling for the Couples' Bulgar - a favourite!
The idea of the klezmer keilidh was first introduced to the UK by Ilana and drummer / dancer Guy Schalom, under the 'Hopkele' banner. They put a 21st-century spin on traditional Eastern European Yiddish dances, putting on events that attracted hundreds to enjoy lively freylekhs, sinuous horas, and athletic bulgars.
Video clips of Hopkele Productions in action
Photo: Ilana leading dancing at Australia's National Folk Festival
Comments