Arts and music

This year we have art, drama and music bursting out all over the place at Conference - there will be formal and informal stuff going on - and both performance and participation. You can come and watch or come and do (to use our conference team buzz words, tricoteurs and raconteurs are both welcome!).

MUSIC....

Our packed music programme includes performances and workshops by some fabulous artists and bands - check out the individual programme for links to their own websites to get a taster...

Highlights include

  • Neshama Carlebach - soulful singer and songwriter (also featuring Noah Solomon and David Morgan)
  • Craig Taubman - dynamic and joyful composer and musician 
  • Yehudah Katz and Reva l'Sheva (AMI) - band who are guaranteed to have you up and dancing
  • Y-love - up and coming New York rapper
  • Ramon Tasat - Sephardic songster and chazan
  • Emunah - London world music collective
  • Hadar Manor - singer songwriter and renowned busker
  • Pshutei Ha'am (Simple People) - spin off project from top Israeli band, Shotei Hanevua
  • Shira Kline - purveyor of outrageously hip music for kids

We also have DJs such as DJ Handler and Tanya Winston, Dan Silverstein from Psychosemitic and Sam Green (Antithesis), harmonica player Harry Pitch, chasidic musician Raz Hartman, and a host of Limmud favourites such as Pilpel (featuring Jess Gold), Daniel Jonas (from Los Desterrados), vocal group Kol Rina, Jen Charlton, Jonny Berliner and the JCC Tribute Troupe, Cantor Norman Cohen Falah 'Davening La Vida Loca' and much more.

Then there will be a host of opportunities to take part in music workshops and jam sessions galore featuring a number of the above, as well as that longstanding Limmud favourite, Acoustic Café, back in all its glory (this  time with plectrums and badges for participants as well!), with its new companion, Acoustic Lunch - a chance to chill and jam earlier in the day, make musical and performance connections and work on stuff for performing generally (could be music, comedy, or anything you feel like working on). So bring your instruments and your inspiration!

There will also be our Scratch musical, Fiddler on the Roof, a choir led by firm Limmud favourite Judith Silver, a Gospel Choir led by the inimitable Sharon Alexander, and a bunch of singalong sessions and music workshops.

And not forgetting the chance to get a taste of some of the highlights at the Opening Showcase, the bonanza that is our Closing Gala, and new for this year, following the Gala, a Closing Showcase, where all those who have been working on any of these projects can show off the results to the assembled Limmudniks.

ART....

As well as presenters such as conceptual artist Melissa Shiff, and art Professor Louis Kaplan, this year's Art Space will be open all day, with materials available for you to work on your own projects and dedicated times for families and children to spend time together. Look out for work that is made and displayed during conference around the site.

We also have an Artist in Residence this year - Elliott Tucker, who will be working in the Art Space and you are welcome to come at meet him there. Elliott will also be running four sessions on his art and practice (and sessions on his film-making work as well), as well as working with Young Limmud Conference at various times

Plus if you have an itch to stitch or sketch, there will be knitting, stitching and sketching materials available for all participants to make use of - all you need to do is ask at the programming help desk. And look out in the programme for stitch and kvetch sessions.

DRAMA....

We have a splendid drama line up including Nephesh Theatre's acclaimed production of ‘Gimpel the Fool', the play ‘Remember' created and performed by the Finchley Catholic Boys High School, solo performers such as Natalie Krasnostein's one woman play ‘In God's Bedroom', Michael Picardie with ‘Momik's Story', and Fabiana Meyochas with ‘Why Didn't You Come Before the War', and of course the new London dramatic collective, Joel Stanley's Merkavah Theatre, presenting the 'Yeshivah of the Absurd' (and keep an eye open for Merkavah's Rabbi Zalman Meintz who will be offering rabbinic advice around Conference and on the helpdesk!).

FILM....

There will be a full programme from the UK Jewish Film Festival, a lecture and films by Rex Bloomstein, Deborah Steinmetz from the Spielberg Archive, plus films from Elliott Tucker, Dan Landau, Dan Susman, Todd Schechter, and more.

POETRY...

Performance poet Matthue Roth will be airing his particular brand of insight and entertainment, with performance poetry also from Adam Taylor and musical whimsy and comedy from the likes of Daniel Cainer, Jonny Berliner and David Hoffman

DANCE...

We have the Eilat Dance Group bringing us their unique take on Israeli dance, all the way from Latvia - as well as the usual range of Israeli dancing sessions (and parties!) from Maurice Stone and the IDI.  

PLUS.... 

There will be storytelling from Rachel Rose Reid, Janie Grackin, and others

We have record label insights from Jeremy Hulsh from Israeli record label Oleh, and DJ Handler from Modular Moods.

Keep an eye open for creative writing sessions and other chances to network and express yourself.

If you fancy trying your hand at comedy, we are after comedy writers and performers to liven up Acoustic Café and other performances.

And if you want someone to collaborate with - if you need an accompanist or a props assistant or whatever it might be - try our session forum.