hopkele productions - artists and music 

  

 

  

Hopkele Productions' events feature the most in-demand artists on the international klezmer music and dance scene. Live klezmer (celebratory and soulful traditional Eastern European Jewish music) puts a spring into your step for a hopping selection of Jewish and cosmopolitan community and couple dances. Whether you want music and dance for a public occasion or a private celebration, Hopkele Productions will put together an outstanding event for you.

We specialise in passing on traditional ways of dancing and playing, and workshops are a regular part of our output.
 

Artists who have been part of Hopkele productions include:

Dance: Leon Blank (Sweden), Andreas Schmitges (Germany, see below), Steven Weintraub (US, see below), Sue Foy (Hungary), and London's own Vivi Lachs and Guy Schalom.

Music: John Bone (accordion), Simon Carlyle (tuba), Ilana Cravitz (violin), Gabriel Ellenberg (accordion), Susi Evans (clarinet), Robin Harris (trombone), Ros Hawley (clarinet), Jim Marcovitch (accordion), Sanne Möricke (accordion, see below), Guy Schalom (drums), Jon Petter (clarinet), Merlin Shepherd (clarinet, see below), Polina Shepherd (accordion), Dave Shulman (clarinet), Judith Silver (voice), Paul Tkachenko (bass), Susan Watts (trumpet, see below), Klezmer Alliance.

Listen to klezmer dance tracks played by FDT Klezmorim: Bulgars   Hora   Terkisher

 

International klezmer musician and dancer Andreas Schmitges taught and led dances at the very first Hopkele. He also brought the Klezmer Alliance (Cologne, London, Kishinev) to Leeds for a Hopkele Production in 2006.

Merlin Shepherd, the UK's foremost teacher and practitioner of traditional klezmer clarinet style, has led the Hanukah Hopkele House Band with characteristic humour and style.
Steve Weintraub "Chicago's Yiddish Fred Astaire"

Renowned Chicago-based dancer Steven Weintraub's infectious enthusiasm informed aspiring Yiddish dancers, including  Henry Goodman (star of Ang Lee's 'Woodstock' and recently Tevye in the West End production of Fiddler on the Roof), who attended Steve's workshop to get tips on style.

Much-loved accordionist Sanne Möricke, of Berlin-based duo Khupe, packed in a huge amount in a Hopkele north/south tour, including: a 300-mile round trip, a stonking live honga set, and half a dozen teaching hours.
Susan Watts, klezmer trumpeter extraordinaire

Fourth-generation klezmer trumpet sensation Susan Watts brought her classic style and Philadelphia family's repertoire to rapt concert audiences and workshop attendees in London and Manchester. 

 

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