synopsis:
Ya’el Tap, under the direction of Julie Rubin, is a tap dance company featuring works inspired by Hebrew music, Israeli movement, and Jewish themes.The ensemble will be performing four pieces, choreographed by Julie Rubin.
“Modeh Ani – I Give Thanks” is a dance expression of a Jewish prayer that is recited daily upon waking. “L’Chaim – To Life!” celebrates the survival and flourish of Jewish existence after the Holocaust. The movement is a fusion of Israeli folk and Tap dance, creating a unique new style. We remember. We survive. We celebrate. We dance. “Hashkiveinu – Lay us Down” is an artistic expression of a Jewish prayer in which we ask G-d’s help to lie down in peace at night and to return to life each morning. Each tap beat represents a star appearing in the sky. “Salaam – Peace” explores the theme of universal peace. Dance is used to join together as one in a community of harmony.
Ya’el Dancers: Aya Araki, Caryn Cooper, Julie Rubin, Lisa Schoenholt, Ariel Seidman-Wright, Andrea Torres, Stephanie Sine, Rachel Anne Wurman
Casey Dinkin, a singer/songwriter originally from Albany, NY, recently moved to NYC to pursue her lifelong dream of a career in music. She will be singing her original song “Just Give a Jewish Guy a Try,” based on her mother’s not-so-subtle urging to start dating “a member of the tribe.” She will also be performing “Miriam’s Song” and “L’ChiLach” by the acclaimed Jewish songwriter Debbie Friedman, who passed away earlier this year.
Yoshie Fruchter is a guitarist and composer based in Brooklyn. His avantegarde rock quartet Pitom has just released its second album entitled “Blasphemy and Other Serious Crimes” on John Zorn’s Tzadik records and has received critical acclaim. Yoshie will be performing a solo piece from this album called “Confusion of the Heart,” a song from Zorn’s Masada songbook, and a new original composition called Veizen di Tsain.” www.yoshiefruchter.com
Joanna Hoffman is a spoken word poet and performer living in Brooklyn. This past year, she represented Urbana NYC at the Women of the World Poetry Slam, the National Poetry Slam and the Individual World Poetry Slam, and placed in the top 10 (out of over 70) at each competition. She will be performing four poems: “Barcode”, “Sh’ma”, “Heroes”, and “Coming Home”.