
The Midwest's Premier Klezmer Band Since 1983
If you want to know more about our education and outreach activities, visit our not for profit organization at klezmermusicfoundation.org.
To support our educational and
outreach work, please donate here:
Touring Highlights
2018
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December 9: Winter Wonderland Hanukkah Family Concert at Chicago Botanic Garden
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August 16: Summer Concert at North Suburban Synagogue Beth El (featuring Cantor Ben Tisser)
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Fourth of July Parade Highland Park, IL
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Village of Skokie Fourth of July Parade
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June 19: YIVO Summer Concert Series (Skokie, IL)
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June 10: Greater Chicago Jewish Festival​
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2017
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February 20: NPR Station WBEZ, “Worldview”
Salaam-Shalom Music Project
Navy Pier, Chicago, IL -
February 26: “Music at Moser” Performing Arts Series
University of St. Francis, Joliet, IL -
March 19: Concert at the International Convention of the Federation of Cantors
Westmont, IL -
May 21: Junior Klezmer Orchestra at the Skokie Festival of Cultures
Skokie, IL -
April 23: Salaam-Shalom Music Project Concert
SPACE, Evanston, IL -
May 13: “Second Saturday” Concert
Olympia Brown Unitarian Universalist Church, Racine, WI -
June 4: "History, Klezmer and Horas! The Journey of Jewish Music from Europe to America" Fundraising Concert for Kol Hadash Congregation, Highland Park, IL
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June 6: YIVO Summer Concert Series
Northbrook, IL -
June 12: Concert, Jewish Federation of Peoria, Peoria, IL
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July 4: Independence Day Parades, Highland Park and Skokie, IL
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July 16: Evanston World Arts and Music Festival, Evanston, IL
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August 13: Sunday Sundown Concert Series, Skokie, IL
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August 20: Outdoor Concert Series, Historic Long Grove Days
Towner Green, Long Grove, IL -
October 22: Klezmer String Master Class and Concert
Seman’s Violins, Skokie, IL -
October 28: Salaam-Shalom Music Project Concert
Congregation Etz Chaim, Lombard, IL -
November 11: “Wintertanz” Jewish Dance Party
Beth Hillel Bnai Emunah, Wilmette, IL -
November 18: Salaam-Shalom Music Project Concert, Gassel Concert Series
Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation, Evanston, IL -
December 17: “Winter Wonderland Express” Annual Hanukkah Concerts
The Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe, IL​
2016
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Awards: 2016 Skokie Artist of the Year Award
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February 28: European Klezmer Cabaret (Russian Community Concert)
Des Plaines Prairie Theater, Des Plaines, IL -
March 20: Maxwell Street and the Junior Klezmer Orchestra
Skokie Theatre, Skokie, IL -
April 21: “Quarterly Inter-Religious Celebration:” DePaul Interfaith
Salaam-Shalom Music Project Concert
DePaul University, Chicago, IL -
May 22: Concert at City Winery, Chicago, IL
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June 5: Greater Chicago Jewish Festival Main Stage, Chicago, IL
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June 8: Wednesdays on the Green, Outdoor Concert
Skokie Chamber of Commerce, Skokie, IL -
July 31: Sunday Sundown Concert Series, Skokie, IL
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August 9: YIVO Summer Concert Series, Highland Park, IL
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August 24, Music in the Square Summer Concerts
Woodstock Opera House, Woodstock, IL -
October 23. North Shore Center for the Performing Arts 20th Anniversary Celebration. Skokie, IL
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November 16: Maxwell Street Klezmer Band in “The Whole Megillah: The Story of the Yiddish Theater”
Jewish Federation of Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor, MI -
November 27: Hanukkah with Rabbi Joe Black and the Maxwell Street Klezmer Band
Old Town School of Folk Music, Chicago, IL -
November 30: “Harmony in the Holy Land” All-Day Seminar and Concert on Middle Eastern Music presented by the Salaam-Shalom Music Project
University of Wisconsin-Parkside, WI -
December 16 “Wintertanz” Jewish Dance Party, Beth Hillel Bnai Emunah, Wilmette, IL
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December 17: Live Broadcast, WFMT/FM, “Folkstage,” The Midnight Special
Annual Hanukkah Program, Chicago, IL -
December 29: “Winter Wonderland Express” Annual Hanukkah Concerts
The Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe, IL
2015
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Florida Tour Jacksonville and Palm Harbor. Charles Troy's "The Whole Megillah: the Story of Yiddish Theater"
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Chicago Lyric Opera "The Property"
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City of Highland Park Independence Day Parade
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Village of Skokie Independence Day Parade
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Skokie Festival of Cultures
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Skokie Village on the Green Concert
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Benefit for WTTW Public Television
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University of Wisconsin Parkside concerts and workshops
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Metropolis Performing Art Center Arlington Heights, IL
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70th anniversary commemoration of the Liberation of the concentration camps
2014
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Celtic Arts Celebration Siamsa Na Ngael “If it Wasn’t for the Irish and the Jews, Symphony Center, Chicago, IL;
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Tulsa Children's Museum Family Concert Series, Tulsa Performing Arts Center, Tulsa, OK;
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Chicago Sinfonietta, Chicago Symphony Center, Chicago, IL
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Greater Chicago Jewish Arts Festival, Chicago, IL
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University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA
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Evanston In-School Music Association, Evanston, IL
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Yiddish Festival of Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor, MI
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"The Whole Megillah: The Story of Yiddish Theater", Temple Beth El, South Bend, IN
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Summer Concert Series, Mandelein, IL
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Acorn Theater, Three Oaks, MI
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Wednesday on the Green Series, Skokie, IL
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Highland Park Parade, Highland Park IL
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Addison Public Library, Addison, IL
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WGN Newa Broadcast
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Common Grounds, Chicago, IL
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Ethical Humanist Society, Park, Ridge, IL
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Chicago Botanic Garden Hanukkah Concert, Glencoe, IL
2013
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Klezmer Festival, Louisville, KY;
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Maxwell Street Klezmer Band 30th Anniversary Concert, Old Town School of Folk Music, Chicago;
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Art Institute of Chicago Exhibit Opening;
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Presidential Inaugural Ball, Evanston, IL;
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"Chicago Reflections," Northwestern University, Pick-Staiger Hall;
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Performance of "American Klezmer," Evanston, IL;
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City Winery Monthly Klezmer Brunch, Chicago;
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Loyola Academy High School "Diversity Week";
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Arlington Heights Library;
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"Yiddishfest" Milwaukee, WI;
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Concert Honoring Rabbi, Emanu-El B'ne Jeshurun, Milwaukee, WI;
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Concert Series to Honor Rabbi, Beth Hillel, Wilmette, IL;
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Wednesdays on the Green, Skokie, IL;
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Port Clinton Concert Series, Highland Park, IL;
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Independence Day Parade, Highland Park, IL;
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Salaam-Shalom Music Project, at Center of Christian-Muslim Engagement, Chicago;
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Concert for YIVO, Homewood, IL;
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WBEZ (NPR) 30th Anniversary concert click here
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30th Reunion Concerts at Old Town School of Folk Music, Chicago, IL;
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"Winter Wonderland" Hanukkah Concert, Botanic Garden, Glencoe, IL.
2012
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Art Institute Wreathing of the Lions, Chicago;
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Toronto, Canada; Olny Illinois Public Schools;
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Independence Day Parade, Highland Park, IL;
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Fox Point, WI;
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Jacksonville, FL;
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Peltz Center for Jewish Life, Mequon, WI;
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Chicago History Museum;
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Chicago Botanic Garden "Winter Wonderland" Hanukkah Concert.
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2011
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Temple Emanuel, Denver, CO;
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Independence Day Parade, Highland Park, IL;
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Lutheran School of Theology (Salaam-Shalom Music Project);
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Chicago Botanic Garden "Winter Wonderland" Hanukkah Concert;
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10th Anniversary of Atrium Theater at Christian Heritage Academy, Northfield, IL;
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Chicago Cultural Center, Chicago, IL;
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Maurice Sendak Exhibit at Highland Park and Oak Park Libraries, IL;
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Peltz Center for Jewish Life, Mequon, WI.
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2010
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Kansas City, MO Festival;
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Purdue University, Notre Dame, IN;
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Independence Day Parade, Highland Park, IL;
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Art Institute of Chicago Holiday Concert;
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Peltz Center for Jewish Life, Mequon, WI;
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WFMT's "Introductions" Broadcast with the Junior Klezmer Orchestra.
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2009
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Munich, Germany;
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Lithuania;
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Reno, NV;
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Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, Champaign-Urbana, IL;
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Peoria, IL;
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Art Institute of Chicago;
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City of Highland Park Independence Day Parade;
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WFMT/FM's "Folk Stage" Hanukkah Broadcast;
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Hanukkah Concert, Albuquerque, NM.
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2008
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Maxwell Street 25th Anniversary Concert Series: Folk Stage Live Radio Concert (WFMT/FM, Midnight Special) and Performance at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, Skokie, IL;
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WTTW's Chicago Tonight;
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WBEZ Chicago Public Radio;
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Record Release Party: "Eight Nights of Joy" with Rabbi Joe Black, Westfield Old Orchard Barnes and Noble;
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Skokie Theatre, Skokie, IL;
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Anne Frank Exhibit, Ela Area Public Library, Lake Zurich, IL;
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Concert for Holocaust Education Foundation National Conference Benefit;
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Timothy Christian High School, Elmhurst, IL;
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Opera House of Sandwich, Sandwich, IL;
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Chicago Jewish Folk Arts Festival, Chicago, IL;
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July 4th Parades, Highland Park and Evanston, IL;
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Summer Concerts: Highland Park, Hoffman Estates, Long Grove, Schaumburg, Evanston, Oak Brook;
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Illinois State University, Normal, IL;
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Two Rivers, WI;
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Chicago Summerdance;
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Reno Concerts, Reno, NV (2009)
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2007
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Furth Klezmer Festival, Furth, Germany;
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Temple Sinai, North Miami Beach, FL
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River Music Experience Concert: Jewish Federation of Quad Cities, Davenport, IA
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Concert for Israel Independence Day, Daley Plaza, Chicago, IL
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Concert: Schaumburg Township District Library, Town Square, Schaumburg, IL
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Evanston Fourth of July Concert, Evanston, IL
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Summer Concert: Skokie Park District, Devonshire Park, Skokie, IL
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Waterfront Celebration, Ethnic Stage, Rockford, IL
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Concert: Eaton Chapel, Beloit College, Beloit, WI
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Concert: Adlai Stevenson Community Foundation Concert Series, Lincolnshire, IL
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Arlington Heights Memorial Library, IL
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Annual Concert, Skokie Central Synagogue, Skokie, IL
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Arts & Ideas Concert Series, Lewis University, Romeoville, IL
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Winter Wonderland (Hanukkah) Concert, Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe, IL
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Spertus Gala Opening, Chicago
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Art Institute of Chicago, Wreathing of the Lions
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2006
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Genesis at the Crossroads Concert, Francis Parker School, Chicago, IL;
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Concert: World Folk Music Festival, Chicago, IL;
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Purim Concert: Lubavitch Chabad, Northbrook, IL;
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Concert: Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL;
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Annual Concert: Beth El, Ner Tamid Synagogue, Mequon, WI;
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Jewish Folk Arts Festival, Chicago, IL;
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Fourth of July Parade, Evanston and Highland Park, IL;
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Summer Concert: Schaumburg Township District Library, Town Square, Schaumburg, IL;
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Workmen's Circle of New York, Yiddish Concert in Damrosch Park, NY;
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Kalamazoo College, at Kalamazoo College, Kalamazoo, MI;
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Great Performers of Illinois Concert, at Millennium Park, Chicago, IL;
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Concert: Chicago Public Library, Chicago, IL;
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Concert: Niles Public Library, Niles, IL;
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Friends of the IDF Benefit Concert at Temple Beth Israel, Skokie, IL;
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Wonderland Express Concert: Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe, IL;
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First Night Evanston New Year's Eve Concert, Evanston, IL;
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Hanukkah Concert and CD Taping with Rabbi Joe Black at Temple Sholom, Chicago.
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2005
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Concerts for the Schauer Arts and Activities Center, Hartford, Wisconsin;
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Columbia College, Department of Music;
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Concert, Performing Arts Center of Stevenson H.S. Community Foundation, Lincolnshire;
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Congregation Oheb Shalom, South Orange, New Jersey, workshops and concert;
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Concert, Fundraiser for the North Shore Choral Society, Evanston;
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Opening Concert for Jewish Music Festival, JCC, West Bloomfield, Michigan, 4th of July parades, Evanston and Highland Park.
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2004
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Concert, Chicago Botanic Gardens, Glencoe;
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Genesis at the Crossroads Concerts, Highland Park and Downtown Chicago;
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Yom Yerushalayim concert for Lincolnwood Jewish Congregation;
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Summer concerts for Villages of River Grove, Hoffman Estates, Lincolnwood;
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Concert, Arlington Heights Memorial Library;
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Concert, Temple Israel, Omaha, Nebraska;
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Concert, Wisconsin Lutheran College, Milwaukee;
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Concert for the Board of Trustees of the United Jewish Communities National Board Meeting;
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Concert for Milwaukee Jewish Federation. Hamsa Concert, Lakeside Congregation, Highland Park;
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Concert, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida;
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Fundraiser for Temple Sholom, Chicago;
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Fundraiser for Children of Israel Fund, Concerts, Children's Museum at Navy Pier;
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Concert, Greater Chicago Jewish Folk Arts Festival;
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4th of July parades for Highland Park and Evanston;
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Concert, Evanston Ethnic Arts Festival;
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Performance at Annual Dinner for Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies;
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Performance, Annual Dinner of Greasy Joan and Co. (theatre group);
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Concerts with Jubilate Children's Choir at Northwestern University and NSCI, Glencoe;
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Concert, Annual Dinner at Congregation Kol Emeth, Skokie;
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Concert, Trinity Christian College, Palos Heights;
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Hanukkah Concert for Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies, Hamsa Concert, First Night, Evanston.
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2003
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Concert, Performing Arts Center at Stevenson High School, Lincolnshire;
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Concert for Citizens for Mayor Richard M. Daley;
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Concert, Northwestern University, Evanston Campus;
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Concert, Shryock Auditorium, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale;
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Concert, DePaul University Hillel;
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Genesis at the Crossroads Arab-Jewish Arts Concert;
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4th of July Parades, Evanston and Highland Park;
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City of Evanston Ethnic Arts Center;
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"Sunday Sundown Concert Series," Skokie Park District;
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River Front Park Summer Concert, River Grove;
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Concert Series, Zhivago Restaurant, Skokie;
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Concert, Trinity Christian College, Palos Heights;
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"Celebrations" Holiday Concert, Chicago Botanic Gardens, Glencoe;
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"Something Else" Holiday Concert, Spertus Museum of Judaica, Chicago;
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First Night Concert, Highland Park.
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2002
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Kultursommer Nordhessen and Mittelhessen, Germany (three concerts);
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Forde Folk Music Festival, Norway;
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Chicago Summerdance Series, Grant Park;
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Rainbow Summer, Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, Milwaukee;
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The Do It Yourself Hanukkah, Old Town School of Folk Music;
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The Greater Chicago Jewish Folk Arts Festival, Chicago;
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Concerts in 24 Evanston Schools (EISMA);
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The Center for International Performance and Exhibition, Chicago;
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CD Release Party at Barnes & Noble, Skokie;
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Monthly concert at Zhivago Restaurant, Skokie;
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Genesis at the Crossroads Arab-Jewish Unity Concert (Chicago Cultural Center), Adlai Steven Performing Arts Center Series, Lincolnshire, IL.
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2001
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Festival of Jewish Culture, Munich, Germany;
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Kansas City JCC;
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A Night in Jerusalem, Dallas, TX;
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Tecumseh Civic Auditorium, Tecumseh, MI;
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Wariner Auditorium, Mount Pleasant, MI;
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Stevenson Performance Center, Lincolnshire, IL;
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Temple Emanuel, Dallas, TX;
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Genesis at the Crossroads Arab-Jewish Unity Concert (Chicago Cultural Center);
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Temple Israel, West Bloomfield, MI;
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Do-It-Yourself Hanukkah, Old Town School of Folk Music;
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Monthly concerts at Zhivago Restaurant, Skokie;
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4th of July Parades, Highland Park and Evanston.
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2000
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Kultursommer Festival, Kassel, Germany;
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the Do It Yourself Hanukkah Concert and Public Television Broadcast, Chicago;
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Jewish Arts Foundation, Palm Beach, Florida,
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Milwaukee International Arts Festival;
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Truman State University (Kirksville, MO);
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Synagogue (Des Moines, IA);
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Jewish Cultural Council (Grand Rapids, MI) Israel Independence Day (Omaha, NB);
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Art Institute, Field Museum and Museum of Science & Industry, Chicago;
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Cong. Ner Tamid (Las Vegas, Nevada);
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7th International Festival of Yiddish Music (Furth, Germany);
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Temple Beth Israel (Springfield, IL);
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Grinnell College (Grinnell, IA);
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Genesis at the Crossroads Arab-Jewish Unity Concert (Chicago Cultural Center), Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins (North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, Skokie, IL);
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General Assembly of Jewish Federations, Chicago;
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Monthly concerts at Zhivago Restaurant;
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4th of July Parade, Evanston.
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1999
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Klezfest (Temple Israel, West Bloomfield, MI);
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Performance Art Series, U. of Judaism, Los Angeles, CA;
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Southern Illinois University, Ishkabibble (Yiddish Arts Ensemble, Chicago);
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University; Chicago Summerdance Festival (Chicago);
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Jewish Arts Festival, Dallas, TX;
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Symphony Center Day of Music (Chicago);
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Do-It Yourself Hanukkah, (Old Town School of Folk Music, Chicago), Hershel and The Hanukkah Goblins (North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, Skokie, IL).
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1998
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Carnegie Hall, NY;
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Staff & concert: Midwest Klezmer and Yiddish Music Institute featuring Theodore Bikel (Skokie, Illinois). Kalamazoo Bach Festival (Michigan);
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Art Institute Chicago);
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Charleston Heights Arts Center (Las Vegas);
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Berea College (Kentucky);
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Yiddish Concert In The Park (Cleveland, Ohio);
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Jewish Arts Festival (Chicago). European Tour: London, Vienna, Munich, Amsterdam, The Hague, and Enschede. Do-It-Yourself-Hanukkah with Peter Yarrow and Debbie Friedman, Athenaeum Theater, Chicago.
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1997
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Do-It-Yourself Hanukkah with Peter Yarrow of and Debbie Friedman (Athenaeum Theater, Chicago);
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Opening Act for Alan King (Centre East, Skokie, IL);
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Opening Festival, the new Symphony Center (Chicago);
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Gindi Theater, U. of Judaism (Los Angeles, California);
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Meyerson Center for The Performing Arts (Dallas, Texas);
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Grinnell College (Iowa);
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JCC (Omaha; Nebraska);
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JCC (Wichita, Kansas);
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Wharton Center for the Performing Arts (East Lansing, MI), Quincy Arts Center (Quincy, IL).
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1996
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The Knitting Factory (NY);
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Gindi Theater of the University of Judaism (LA, CA);
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Century Villages (Florida).
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Staff & concert: Midwest Klezmer & Yiddish Music Institute (Skokie, IL);
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Do-It-Yourself -Hanukkah with Peter Yarrow (Athenaeum Theater;
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Old Town School of Folk Music, Chicago)
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1995
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Charleston Heights Arts Center (Las Vegas, Nevada);
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Carpenter Performing Arts Center (Long Beach, California);
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James Armstrong Theater (Torrance, California). Sponsors of and performers at the Midwest Klezmer and Yiddish Music Institute (IL)
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1994
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Featured artist at the 4th Festival of Jewish Music in Furth, Germany. Maxwell Street Klezmer Band
1993
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JCC concerts in Birmingham, Alabama and Memphis and Tennessee Maxwell Street Klezmer Band
1992
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Graz Music Festival, Austria; Zurich JCC; Bern Municipal Museum (Switzerland); Satellite Beach, Ft Myers, FL