Not your grandfather's klezmer

The Jewish Studies Program and the Lotus Education and Arts Foundation have combined forces to bring a special entertainment and education event to Bloomington this weekend. \nInternationally-acclaimed klezmer band Brave Old World will perform Sunday and hold a workshop Monday to raise money to promote Yiddish graduate studies at IU. \n"Those of us devoted to Yiddish feel it is essential to do everything we can to keep its language and culture alive within the university setting," said Professor Alvin Rosenfeld, director of the Jewish Studies Program in a press release. "We intend that IU will become one of a handful of American universities with a major Yiddish studies program." \nIU provides courses in Yiddish language, literature, linguistics and the history and culture of Eastern European Jewry. This concert will further the program while also teaching the community about an important part of Yiddish culture -- klezmer music.\nKlezmer, a type of folk music originating with Jewish people in Eastern Europe, was all but obliterated during the Holocaust era. In the last 50 years, it has been revived (mostly in America) by musicians who learned it from their parents. In the past, it was rarely written down in the form of sheet music, but was passed down from generation to generation until the mass execution of many of its students during World War II. \nToday, there are very few musicians who can play or teach this style of music. All four members of Brave Old World, including vocalist Michael Alpert, pianist and accordion player Alan Bern, clarinetist Kurt Bjorling and percussionist Stuart Brotman, played in the first three or four klezmer revival bands of the 1970s. They met each other while working with other groups and although they all live in different cities today, they have toured together as Brave Old World for seven months out of every year for the last 12 years.\nBut Brave Old World "isn't your grandfather's klezmer," said Alan Bern, a Bloomington native and alumnus. The four men have studied klezmer for many years, but use their band to expand upon what they know and bring it to others in a format that anyone can appreciate. \nCalling their style "New Jewish Music," Brave Old World mixes traditional instrumental klezmer music, which was used for dancing and celebrating, with vocal music traditionally used in religious services and worship. \nLotus executive director Lee Williams was excited to bring this music to IU, and describes Brave Old World's music as "spiritual and traditional... this isn't popular Top 40 music, but it can be very lively and very moving." \nOf the band members themselves, Williams said "they understand and love the music, and each member has a deep knowledge of the music and the community it fits into. They are continuing a tradition." \nMelissa Deckard is the events coordinator for the Jewish Studies Program at IU. She said she looks forward to the concert as both an entertaining event and a chance to educate people and raise money for a worthy cause.\n"It's very exciting. You feel the music -- it's very emotional," she said. \nThis musical event is not just for Jewish Studies majors. Bern emphasizes the fact that, although the music will be in Yiddish, English translations of the music played will be handed out to the audience. \n"Don't be afraid, this is music for non-musicians," he said. "You don't have to be an ethnomusicologist to appreciate it." \nBrave Old World has traveled all over the world playing their "New Jewish Music" to appreciative audiences. They have appeared on a PBS special with famed violinist Itzhak Perlman, and offer workshops for people who want to learn more about klezmer.\nBrave Old World will appear in concert at the Buskirk-Chumley Theatre, 114 E. Kirkwood Ave. on Sunday at 8 p.m. Tickets may be purchased for $18 at Borders in Eastland Plaza or through Lotus by calling 336-6599. A free klezmer workshop featuring a lecture and demonstration by Brave Old World will be held at 4 p.m. Monday in Auer Hall.