Mother's Day Yiddish Dance!

Join us for a joyful Sunday afternoon of Yiddish folk dance and live Klezmer music, in celebration of the mothers and maternal figures in our lives! We’re excited to host this special pop-up at the Armory, featuring live Klezmer music and all-levels dancing led by RUACH teacher Or Levinson.

May 10th, 4:00 - 5:30 PM

Arts at the Armory – Cafe

191 Highland Ave 1c, Somerville, MA

Moms, mamalehs, and all self-identified maternal parental figures enjoy FREE tickets with code mamaleh (including a +1!).

Throughout this gathering, we’ll learn core pieces of Yiddish dance repertoire from Horas, to Freylekhs, Bulgars and beyond. We’ll dance in a circle together, discovering how individual voices can shine inside of a shared, communal experience. No dance experience? No problem. You don’t need any prior movement background to join, and you don’t need to be Jewish either! These dances are for everyone, and all ages and abilities are warmly welcome.

This event is powered by a Belonging grant from UpStart. We are so appreciative for their support in bringing RUACH's Yiddish dance experiences to the greater Boston community! We're also very grateful for the Armory's partnership in hosting this event.

Following the dancing, we'll have light refreshments for anyone who wants to stick around, nosh, and schmooze!

What is Yiddish Dance? 

Yiddish dance is an umbrella term that describes the folk dances of Ashkenazi/Eastern European Jews, performed to the vibrant sounds of Klezmer music. You’ll see a lot of space for individual expression within the context of a group. Throughout the workshop we will work together to find that beautiful balance of taking space for your own expression with the music, while moving and sharing the experience with others.

Yiddish dance and Klezmer music also both reflect centuries of cultural exchange. While rooted in the musical modes of Ashkenazi Jews, Klezmer has absorbed influences from Eastern European, Balkan, and Ottoman traditions, and more recently, elements of Jazz and other styles here in the US. Yiddish dance and Klezmer music hold many stories and rich cultural information that depict the Ashkenazi branch of the Jewish Diaspora, and so beautifully demonstrate moments throughout our history when people of different communities have come together through celebration, music, and dance!