June 14, 2009
Theodore Bikel: The First 85 Years!
WHAT: Theodore Bikel: The First 85 Years!WHO: Confirmed performers include: Theodore Bikel, Alan Alda, Arlo Guthrie, Noel Paul Stookey, Peter Yarrow, Tom Paxton, The Klezmatics, Judy Kaye, Susan Werner, David Amram, Beyond the Pale, Artie Butler, Patricia Conolly, David Krakauer, Hankus Netsky, Sarah Horowitz, Serendipity 4 (Theodore Bikel, Tamara Brooks, Merima Ključo and Shura Lipovsky), and Michael Wex.
WHEN: 7:30pm Monday, June 15, 2009
WHERE: Carnegie Hall, Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage, 57th Street and Seventh Avenue, New York City
TICKETS: Tickets range from $30 to $500.
Carnegie Hall Box Office - www.carnegiehall.org
THE KLEZMATICS JOIN STAR-STUDDED LINEUP FOR THEODORE BIKEL BIRTHDAY CONCERT
AT CARNEGIE HALL ON JUNE 15TH
Alan Alda, Arlo Guthrie, Noel Paul Stookey, Peter Yarrow, Tom Paxton Among Special Guests at June 15th concert to benefit Juvenile Law Center
http://www.jlc.org/bikel> http://www.jlc.org/bikel New York (June 11, 2009) - The Klezmatics, the Grammy Award-winning world music superstars, have joined the star-studded lineup for Theodore Bikel: The First 85 Years, a special concert celebrating the career of world-renowned actor, singer and activist Theodore Bikel.
"Theodore Bikel: The First 85 Years" will benefit the Juvenile Law Center (
Bikel will be joined by Alan Alda, Arlo Guthrie, Tom Paxton, Noel Paul Stookey, Peter Yarrow, David Amram, Beyond the Pale, Artie Butler, Patricia Conolly, Judy Kaye, David Krakauer, Sarah Horowitz, Hankus Netsky, Serendipity 4 (Theodore Bike, Tamara Brooks, Merima Ključo and Shura Lipovsky), Susan Werner, and Michael Wex.
The Klezmatics, the only klezmer band to win a Grammy Award, emerged out of the vibrant cultural scene of New York City's East Village in 1986 with klezmer steeped in Eastern European Jewish tradition and spirituality, while incorporating contemporary themes such as human rights and anti-fundamentalism and eclectic musical influences
The special concert will salute Bikel, who made his Carnegie Hall debut in 1956 and went on to forge an extraordinary career as a musician, actor and activist. His stage and screen credits include such classic films as The African Queen and The Defiant Ones and the 1959 Broadway premiere of The Sound of Music, in which he originated the role of Captain Von Trapp. He has performed the role of Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof more than 2,000 times and is currently starring in a national tour of Sholom Aleichem: Laughter through Tears.
A leading light in the early folk music scene, Bikel co-founded the Newport Folk Festival in 1959 and has been a powerful advocate for peace, human rights, and social justice for more than five decades - from the civil rights movements in the United States to apartheid in South Africa to promoting peace and religious pluralism among Israel and its neighbors.
"Throughout my life I have been equally passionate about music and social justice, and have allied myself with others whose use guitars, banjos, fiddles and words to conquer fear and injustice," said Bikel. "I can think of no better way to celebrate that life than a night of music with some of my nearest and dearest friends, and no more deserving cause than protecting the rights of our nation's most vulnerable children."
All proceeds from the concert will go to Juvenile Law Center, which works to protect children's rights and interests in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems. Juvenile Law Center, which provides legal services at no cost to its clients, is currently heading litigation in the Luzerne County, Pennsylvania judges scandal, a court corruption case that has made international news as one of the most egregious violations of children's rights in U.S. legal history. The organization's work on the case was recently covered by
Honorary committee co-chairs for the event include Barbara Cook, Frank Langella, Pete Seeger, John C. Whitehead, and Elie Wiesel.
"Theodore Bikel was at the forefront of the social justice movement that led to the creation of organizations like Juvenile Law Center, and we're awed and honored that he chose to turn his 85th birthday celebration into an incredible gift for us," said Robert Schwartz, Executive Director of Juvenile Law Center. "Theo is not only helping to promote the rights of people around the world, but also providing a true inspiration the vulnerable children who seek justice and protection."
Tickets range from $30 to $500. A pre concert VIP reception for performers to mingle with sponsors, major donors, and box seat ticket holders will be held in the Rohatyn Room at Carnegie Hall.
Posted by jmwc at June 14, 2009 01:27 PM