Presented by:

The Miles Nadal JCC, The Al Green Theatre, and the New City Shul

Jewish artist Lenka Lichtenberg explores global roots and rhythms, creating a dialogue with Middle Eastern singer/dancer Roula Said, as their band of 8 musicians creates a dialogue between Jewish and Arabic music. Unexpected new common ground.  concert and cd launch.

Proceeds from the event will support partnerships between the Miles Nadal JCC and The new City Shul, through projects aimed at encouraging dialogue and understanding between Jews and other cultures.

Monday, March 5, 2012 @ 7:30pm
Admission: $20 Regular/$50 Patron*
To purchase tickets call 416-924-6211 ext 0 or click here

*Patrons purchasing $50 tickets will receive priority seating, a tax receipt and mention in the program. (Please be advised that patrons purchasing tickets less than 72 hours in advance may not be listed in the program)

At no time in recent memory has there been a greater need for building unity between communities. With tensions between and within nations, the notion of music acting as a bridge between peoples has rarely been more appropriate. Toronto-based artists Lenka Lichtenberg and Roula Said plan on doing just that when they present an evening that combines Jewish and Arabic traditions in a concert called “Bridges”.

Inspired by the soundscape of Toronto, Lenka Lichtenberg's fourth album Fray takes Yiddish-based music into the world of global roots and rhythms, blending styles and transcending boundaries. Her group, a unique assemblage of musicians rooted in diverse musical traditions, performed at festivals in Argentina, Quebec, Poland, and Vancouver, and showcased in New York. "Bridges", launched in partnership with Roula Said, is a special project for the band that "Bridges" Yiddish and Arabic music, with the two traditions complementing, enriching and inspiring each other to create unexpected new common ground.  Peace is the Only Way, written by Lichtenberg, was recently chosen as a finalist in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest.

Roula Said is a multi-faceted artist who has dedicated her talents to Middle Eastern music and dance. One of Canada's leading lights in the world of bellydance, Roula is the director of Om Laila Bellydance, the producer of FunkaBelly - Toronto's premier global Grooves Dance Party and Bellydance Cabaret, and the vocalist, dancer and percussionista of Gypsy/Arabic funk band, Nomadica (which she co-leads with trumpeter and composer, David Buchbinder).

"...the notion of music acting as a bridge between people is the leitmotif chosen by these multi-talented co-leaders...an inspirational evening that includes some of Toronto's finest world musicians." Andrew Timar, The Wholenote

Featuring:
Lenka Lichtenberg - voice, composition
Roula Said - voice, composition, qanun, percussion, dance 
Alan Hetherington - percussion, pandeiro, drums
Chris Gartner - bass
John Gzowski - oud, guitars, bouzouki guitar
Ernie Tollar - sax, flutes, clarinet
Kinneret Sagee - clarinet
Ravi Naimpally - tabla, dumbek
The CD “Bridges Live at the Lula Lounge” will be launched at this event and available for purchase after the show.

Promotional Partner: