Jewish storyteller Joel ben Izzy will share hilarious "khelemer khadhomim" (Yiddish for the "wise people of Chelm") stories from an Eastern European Jewish folk genre over 400 years old. The characters are industrious yet clueless who make us laugh at their foibles. During the program, Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra (PBO) violinist Lisa Grodin and cellist Tanya Tomkins will play colorful "klezmerish" musical interludes on their rare period instruments. Come celebrate the sublime and ridiculous with Joel and PBO.
After studying storytelling at Stanford, Joel ben Izzy traveled the world, gathering and sharing stories. While he tells stories from all over the world, Jewish folktales are closest to his heart, especially those from the village of Chelm.
Joel is also an award-winning author. His memoir "The Beggar King and the Secret of Happiness" has been translated into 18 languages and is in development as both a feature film and a musical. His second book, "Dreidels on the Brain," was chosen as a finalist for the national Jewish book award.
Lisa Grodin is Director of Education for PBO and plays violin and viola in the ensemble. She has performed and recorded locally and abroad; teaches violin and chamber music; and conducted orchestras. Lisa is a fourth generation Berkeley native of Jewish descent.
Tanya Tomkins specializes in the repertoire for both modern and baroque cello. She serves as co-principal cellist in both the Portland and Philharmonia Baroque Orchestras and has performed as a soloist with orchestras and festivals worldwide. Tanya is a member of the Benvenue Fortepiano Trio and also performs with the Left Coast Chamber Ensemble. In 2015, she and her partner pianist Eric Zivian, founded the Valley of the Moon Music Festival in Sonoma, presenting Romantic and Classical music on original instruments. She has given master classes at Yale, Juilliard and SF Conservatory of Music.
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After studying storytelling at Stanford, Joel ben Izzy traveled the world, gathering and sharing stories. While he tells stories from all over the world, Jewish folktales are closest to his heart, especially those from the village of Chelm.
Joel is also an award-winning author. His memoir "The Beggar King and the Secret of Happiness" has been translated into 18 languages and is in development as both a feature film and a musical. His second book, "Dreidels on the Brain," was chosen as a finalist for the national Jewish book award.
Lisa Grodin is Director of Education for PBO and plays violin and viola in the ensemble. She has performed and recorded locally and abroad; teaches violin and chamber music; and conducted orchestras. Lisa is a fourth generation Berkeley native of Jewish descent.
Tanya Tomkins specializes in the repertoire for both modern and baroque cello. She serves as co-principal cellist in both the Portland and Philharmonia Baroque Orchestras and has performed as a soloist with orchestras and festivals worldwide. Tanya is a member of the Benvenue Fortepiano Trio and also performs with the Left Coast Chamber Ensemble. In 2015, she and her partner pianist Eric Zivian, founded the Valley of the Moon Music Festival in Sonoma, presenting Romantic and Classical music on original instruments. She has given master classes at Yale, Juilliard and SF Conservatory of Music.
Jewish storyteller Joel ben Izzy will share hilarious "khelemer khadhomim" (Yiddish for the "wise people of Chelm") stories from an Eastern European Jewish folk genre over 400 years old. The characters are industrious yet clueless who make us laugh at their foibles. During the program, Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra (PBO) violinist Lisa Grodin and cellist Tanya Tomkins will play colorful "klezmerish" musical interludes on their rare period instruments. Come celebrate the sublime and ridiculous with Joel and PBO.
After studying storytelling at Stanford, Joel ben Izzy traveled the world, gathering and sharing stories. While he tells stories from all over the world, Jewish folktales are closest to his heart, especially those from the village of Chelm.
Joel is also an award-winning author. His memoir "The Beggar King and the Secret of Happiness" has been translated into 18 languages and is in development as both a feature film and a musical. His second book, "Dreidels on the Brain," was chosen as a finalist for the national Jewish book award.
Lisa Grodin is Director of Education for PBO and plays violin and viola in the ensemble. She has performed and recorded locally and abroad; teaches violin and chamber music; and conducted orchestras. Lisa is a fourth generation Berkeley native of Jewish descent.
Tanya Tomkins specializes in the repertoire for both modern and baroque cello. She serves as co-principal cellist in both the Portland and Philharmonia Baroque Orchestras and has performed as a soloist with orchestras and festivals worldwide. Tanya is a member of the Benvenue Fortepiano Trio and also performs with the Left Coast Chamber Ensemble. In 2015, she and her partner pianist Eric Zivian, founded the Valley of the Moon Music Festival in Sonoma, presenting Romantic and Classical music on original instruments. She has given master classes at Yale, Juilliard and SF Conservatory of Music.
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After studying storytelling at Stanford, Joel ben Izzy traveled the world, gathering and sharing stories. While he tells stories from all over the world, Jewish folktales are closest to his heart, especially those from the village of Chelm.
Joel is also an award-winning author. His memoir "The Beggar King and the Secret of Happiness" has been translated into 18 languages and is in development as both a feature film and a musical. His second book, "Dreidels on the Brain," was chosen as a finalist for the national Jewish book award.
Lisa Grodin is Director of Education for PBO and plays violin and viola in the ensemble. She has performed and recorded locally and abroad; teaches violin and chamber music; and conducted orchestras. Lisa is a fourth generation Berkeley native of Jewish descent.
Tanya Tomkins specializes in the repertoire for both modern and baroque cello. She serves as co-principal cellist in both the Portland and Philharmonia Baroque Orchestras and has performed as a soloist with orchestras and festivals worldwide. Tanya is a member of the Benvenue Fortepiano Trio and also performs with the Left Coast Chamber Ensemble. In 2015, she and her partner pianist Eric Zivian, founded the Valley of the Moon Music Festival in Sonoma, presenting Romantic and Classical music on original instruments. She has given master classes at Yale, Juilliard and SF Conservatory of Music.
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Albert and Janet Schultz Cultural Arts Hall
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3921 Fabian Way , Palo Alto, CA 94303
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