The following description comes from the event organizer.

The Klein Party and Seattle’s brilliant klezmer brass band, Shpilkis, explore music from the influential and intense Philadelphia klezmer scene. In the early 20th century, “American klezmer” evolved not only in NYC, but in regional centers such as Philadelphia, where kapelyes (klezmer ensembles) developed a rich body of work derived from deep family, community, and Old World traditions.

The Klein Party & Shpilkis will play tunes made famous by bandleaders Harry Kandel, Joseph Hoffman, Itzikl Kramtweiss, and others. The Klein Party is also excited to  include tunes drawn from Berl Freedman’s original music notebooks shared with us by his grandson. Shpilkis will perform the legendary “Philadelphia Sher,” assisted by dancers who will demonstrate the traditional sher (“The Scissors Dance”). The Royal Room is opening up dance floor space for others who wish to join in.

Klezmer Starts Here! is a curated series at Seattle’s Royal Room presented by The Klein Party and the South Hudson Music Project focusing on different Yiddish music styles or practitioners. Each concert features guest artists and ensembles from within and from outside the tradition.