Remembering David Nadel, founder of Ashkenaz
featuring Razor and the Rocksteadies, Taraf de Locos, Balkan Folkdancing
Friday, December 19, 6:30-9:00PM
Ashkenaz 1317 San Pablo Avenue, Berkeley
$15
http://www.ashkenaz.com/event-detail.php?field=&value=&offset=3&eventid=503
https://www.facebook.com/events/1515503588734075
http://www.eventbrite.com/e/remembering-david-nadel-razor-the-rocksteadies-taraf-de-locos-balkan-folkdancing-tickets-14892761651

“Remembering David Nadel is an annual tribute to the late founder of Ashkenaz. It’s been 18 years since Nadel passed away, but he is still remembered and his influence deeply felt throughout the communities he sparked. This benefit event reflects Ashkenaz’s diversity and our spirit – and his vision – of bringing people together through music and dance.

Anchored by the drumming and toasting of Emsley RazorBlade Fraser (of Sister I-Live and the Reggae Angels), Razor and the Rocksteadies bring classic reggae to the stage of Ashkenaz. The band is comprised of Ashkenaz regulars and staff including Joe Balestreri (The Bug Family/The Flux) on trumpet, Max Lopez (Clementine String Band) on bass, Jennifer Jolly (Kotoja, Zulu Spear) on keyboards, and Aaron Hammerman (Clementine String Band) on guitar. Inspired by the records DJ-ed by longtime Ashkenaz doorman Edwin Thaxter during late-night dominoes games at Ashkenaz, the Rocksteadies draw material from the golden age of Jamaican ska, rocksteady, and roots reggae. Playing in honor of David Nadel, the Rocksteadies will be joined by special guests from throughout Ashkenaz’s diverse community of family and musicians.

Taraf de Locos is a world music dance band whose roots trace to its members’ meeting as children at a summer music camp, where they played together in the various styles of their different cultures. As adults they carry on that approach. They play a mix of songs and tunes from Spain, Romania, Macedonia, Albania, Greece, Turkey, Tajikistan, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, and Mexico. As best friends, they bring a fun-loving energy that is genuinely contagious. Taraf de Locos features Aya Safiya on violin and vocals; Cecilia Cassandra Peña-Govea on trumpet, guirra, and vocals; Miguelito León on percussion and vocals; and Tano Brock on guitar, saxophone, and vocals.

A monthly fixture at Ashkenaz, Balkan Folkdancing is a revival of ’70s-style Berkeley folkdancing with some international request dancing to recorded music, capturing the spirit that David Nadel was inspired by when he opened Ashkenaz in 1973. One does not need a live band to experience the communal pleasure of dancing together. Dance lessons offered at the monthly Wednesday event help newcomers join in the experience.”