As in years past, we’ll kick off the weekend with a heymish gathering on Friday night. We’ll jam and nosh as folks gather, and then sing some songs from our special songbook. Everyone is encouraged to bring food for a potluck dinner (please note beer and wine will be available for donation at the venue), which will give us some time to get to know each other and catch up with those we already know. We will do a few of the traditional blessings and songs for the sabbath, but we strive to create a space where everyone feels welcome and comfortable. Like the rest of the festival it is NOT a religious event! After dinner there will be more singing and we’ll read and translate a little Yiddish Poetry, have space for open discussions and informal learning, and hopefully if it’s not raining we will also be able to have a campfire to stay warm.

 

This year we are joined by our special guests New York Times bestselling author Michael Wex and legendary Philadelphia trumpet player Susan Hoffman Watts who will share their wisdoms and stories as the night progresses. We will learn about how Philadelphia became a home for multiple generations of klezmorim and how we are all Born to Kvetch or how to use those Yiddish idioms in our daily lives.

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This Shabbes night is happening at our festival hub, LoveCityLove, where we will be surrounded by the art presented the night before.