Monday, December 4, 2006

OY! These Shows Are Better Than Chinese Food & A Movie

Sick of spending Christmas trying to find the Chinese restaurant closest to the multiplex playing your movie of choice? Looking for something with a more Festival of Lights-y feel than a string-the-lights-on-the-tree feel? I'm happy to report that this December is choc-full of delightful events for even the most discerning fan of the next generation of Jewish music. So don't make yourself meshuggenah, mark your calendar. Here's a run down of who's playing...

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Matisyahu: First annual Festival of Lights Concert Series
Here's a little out-take from their press peeps:
Matisyahu will give his hometown fans a  holiday treat this Hanukkah when he kicks off the "Festival of Light" concert  series at Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City. Matisyahu will be joined by  his band Roots Tonic and special guests Mr. Lif and The Coup (12/16), Ben  Kweller (12/17) and John Brown's Body (12/19).
Dec. 16, 17, 19 @
Hammerstein Ballroom, NY

Matisyahu:
Wed. Dec. 13 @ 
9:30 Club, Washington, DC

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Gogol Bordello
Everybody's favorite gypsy punks are back on the road, fronted by the incomparable Eugene Hutz. Not ringing a bell?Go see
Everything Is Illuminated and get illuminated.
On Tour Dec. 12 - 21
Lawrence, KS, Minneapolis, Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, DC, Philly & NY

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Golem: Vodka Latka Festival of Rights, LA & SF

Vodka Latka in LA 
Wed. Dec. 13 @
The El Rey
Turn the Festival of Lights into the Festival of Rights with a unique menorah-lighting by local social justice activists. Then watch LA's Heebster comedians, writers, magicians, and performers - including Six Feet Under's Jill Soloway - tackle the holiday from an entirely new perspective in Heaping Hanukah. Finally, Golem takes the night to a raucous, high-energy finale.

Vodka Latka in SF
Thurs. Dec. 14@
The Independent
Tonight again starts with the Festival of Rights menorah lighting, followed by Conspiracy of Beards, a 30 member all- male choir that exclusively performs the music of Leonard Cohen. The night high stakes charity dreydl benefiting the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, in which you can win a Noise Pop Festival Badge and a Barsuk Records prize pack.

Golem Celebrates Hanukkah in Great Barrington, MA 
Sun. Dec. 17@
Club Helsinki
 
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SoCalled: Young Man

Golem, SoCalled, The LeeVees, Balkan Beat Box DJs: Jewltide
Here's a little out-take from their press peeps:
These days, bigger cities throw "Matzah Balls," events with an emphasis on partying and little meaningful connection among attendees. Seeing an opportunity for holiday events with aunique Jewish identity but sans religious overtones, JDub Records and Brooklyn Jews founded Jewltide, an alternative party featuring up-and-coming talent, music, and a new way to celebrate Hanukkah. Now in its fourth year, JDub has expanded Jewltide from its home base in Brooklyn and is taking the party on the road to Washington DC, Boston, and Chicago with label-mates
Golem and SoCalled. Brooklyn will be treated to 2 special nights, with The LeeVees, Tim Fite, and Balkan Beat Box DJs joining the party.

Jewltide in Chicago
Wed. Dec. 20 @
Empty Bottle
-Featuring Golem + SoCalled + Heeb Magazine

Jewltide in Boston
Thurs. Dec. 21@
TT The Bears
-Featuring Golem + SoCalled + Heeb Magazine + Shtreiml

Jewltide in Washington, DC
Saturday Dec. 23 @
Sixth and I
-Featuring Golem + SoCalled + Heeb Magazine

Jewltide in Brooklyn
Sat. Dec. 23 @
Southpaw
-Featuring The LeeVees, Tim Fite, Balkan Beat Box DJ set + Special Guests. 

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-Featuring Golem + SoCalled + DJ Anaan

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The Klezmatics
A little note from the New York Times' Urbanist Newsletter:
In the 1940s and ´50s, Woody Guthrie lived with his wife´s Jewish family in Coney Island. During this improbable stay, "the Dust Bowl troubadour ate blintzes, lighted the menorah and wrote about Hanukkah in the plainspoken, unmistakably Guthrie style," says Ben Sisario. For example: "'It´s honeyky Hanukkah, shaky my hand/My candles are burning all over this land.´" A few years ago the Klezmatics, the local band that helped make klezmer hip, wrote music for these songs. Tonight they´ll perform "Woody Guthrie´s Happy Joyous Hanukkah."
 
 
Woody Guthrie's Happy Joyous Hanukah NY
Mon. Dec. 4 @
Abrons Arts Center
Lower East Side, NYC
henrystreet.org/arts.
 
Woody Guthrie's Happy Joyous Hanukah LA
Thurs. Dec. 21 @ Walt Disney Concert Hall
Los Angeles, CA
 
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Soulfarm & Blue Fringe: Hanukkah Party
Sat. Dec. 23 @ B.B. King Blues Bar & Grill
NY, NY
 
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