Gathering Sparks

"Gathering Sparks," marks the first collaboration between choreographer Rachel Linsky and Ezekiel’s Wheels Klezmer Band. This work fuses elements of Yiddish folk dance with contemporary dance styles.

Klezmer music today reflects centuries of cultural exchange, stemming from roots in Ashkenazi Jewish musical modes and expressive sensibilities, while adapting influences from Eastern European, Balkan, and Ottoman music. In recent history, it has even fused with Jazz and other styles in America. Klezmer and Yiddish dance hold many stories and rich cultural information that depict one branch of the Jewish Diaspora, beautifully demonstrating moments throughout history when different communities came together through celebration, music, and dance. This work highlights the ways in which this culture continues to thrive, fuse, and evolve today, while still maintaining its strong roots and identity. 

We have performed the full work of "Gathering Sparks" at The Museum of Fine Art, Boston, the Jewish Culture Festival of Rhode Island, Boston University, and the Somerville Armory. The project has now been developed into our evening-length performance, “Looking Back, Stepping Forward”.

After each performance, we lead the audience in a Yiddish dance workshop, accompanied by live klezmer music to share some of the rich history embedded in these dances.