The Joy of Jewish Music and Dance: Asaf Ophir

Join the JCC East Bay for a new monthly series celebrating “The Joy of Jewish Music and Dance!” Great for musicians, dancers, and enthusiasts to meet, schmooze, or simply to take in the beauty of these rich traditions.

Each session has three parts:

1. During the first hour, participants can choose between two spaces to learn multi-ethnic music and dance technique and styles.
2. Participants will all come together for the second hour for a dance party focusing on the dances and tunes taught in the prior hour.
3. The third hour will be an informal music jam in one or more of the classroom spaces at the JCC.

Sheet music and reference recordings as available will be posted to the KlezCalifornia tune archive.

This session will have music lead by Asaf Ophir. Asaf Ophir is a versatile clarinettist with a rich cultural background. He grew up influenced by diverse musical styles in Israel, from jazz and Jewish music to classical and Middle Eastern sounds. His career took flight in Israeli musicals and further blossomed in the United States, where he became a prominent figure in world music, performing in acclaimed musicals and on diverse stages with notable artists. Ophir’s unique ability to give his clarinet varied timbres, highly praised by the San Francisco Chronicle, showcases his exceptional talent and adaptability as a musician.

Dance will be led by Bruce Bierman.

Tickets are $72.00 for the five-session series or $18.00-$54.00 sliding scale for a single session. The workshop takes place at the JCC East Bay in Berkeley.

This event is supported, in part, by a grant from KlezCalifornia’s Yiddish Culture Fund.