YIDDISH FOLK DANCE WORKSHOP & KLEZMER DANCE PARTY

Join us for the culminating event of the festival, a Yiddish folk dance party! Starting at 2PM, Yiddish dance leader Avia Moore will teach a Yiddish folk dance workshop, backed by the Klezmer Ensemble at Cornell University. Then, take your newly-learned dance steps into party mode as the Klezmer Ensemble at Cornell University play a raucous set of klezmer and Yiddish dance tunes.

Yiddish folk dance is a form social dance that is easy to pick up, no previous dance experience necessary. You may bring handkerchiefs if you prefer to dance without direct contact. You can learn seated versions of the dances if that is more accessible for you. Fun for all ages!


BIOS

An internationally-acclaimed teacher of Yiddish dance, AVIA MOORE leads Yiddish dance workshops for festivals and events around the world, coaches emerging dance leaders, and works as a consultant for choreographers, directors, and teachers seeking to engage with Yiddish movement. Avia Moore is the Artistic Director of KlezKanada and has worked extensively as a creative producer with festivals and cultural organizations across North America as well as on individual artistic projects in North America and Europe. Avia holds a PhD in Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies from York University.

RYAN ZAWEL has been a guiding member of the KLEZMER ENSEMBLE AT CORNELL UNIVERSITY for twenty-one years..Born in the Bronx in 1975, raised by a cabaret pianist, and educated by master musicians in schools and on stage.  Ryan’s musical life has been rooted in soul, klezmer, musical theater, jazz, marching band, symphonic orchestra, and rock ‘n roll. His primary instruments are trombone and tuba.


FESTIVAL INFO

This event is part of Yiddish Folklife Festival of the Finger Lakes (YFFFL), a new three-day arts and cultural festival taking place April 25-27, 2025 at the Lifelong Community Center downtown and other venues in Ithaca, NY.

Featuring live klezmer music, folk dancing, a community potluck, cooking and cultural workshops, a nature talk, an academic lecture, an open mic, and other community events, this intergenerational, all-ages festival is open to the public, including those new to Yiddish music and culture.

*Please see YFFFL Full Festival Schedule for YFFFL full festival pass & links to other individual events of the festival.


YFFFL SUPPORTERS

We thank our partners: Klezmer Ensemble at Cornell University and Jewish Studies at Cornell University for working with us to put on this festival!

We thank our sponsors: Temple Beth El and Congregation Tikkun v'Or for supporting Yiddish Folklife Festival of the Finger Lakes!

We thank our funder: This festival is made possible in part with funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, administered by the Community Arts Partnership.