‘Shir’ madness on the beach
Bondi is gearing up for the inaugural Sydney Jewish Music Festival at Bondi Beach on August 15.
The eclectic festival will feature a quirky line-up budding with fresh talent and seasoned international artists.
Australian singer-songwriter Deborah Conway will be joined by members of the John Butler Trio and Black Sorrows to perform songs from her latest album Half Man Half Woman.
“The Jewish community is a tiny group in Australia. The entire population fits into the MCG so it’s a big deal to get a festival like this off the ground for the first time,” says Ms Conway.
Describing religion as both a “blessing and a curse”, Ms Conway says her Jewish heritage has always been a driving force in her life.
“Being Jewish is a huge part of who I am, not because of the religion but because of the traditions,” she says. “It’s a sense of humour; it’s a sense of historical grief and celebration.”
The festival’s musical journey commemorates Jewish roots but the experience promises to go home and beyond.
Joining the ranks is offbeat Jewish musician Alex Jacobowitz. Trained in New York, he now performs on the streets of Germany and has adapted the marimba – a giant African xylophone – to hammer out strains of Bach and Beethoven.
“The sound is so magical my body absorbed it like long-forgotten vitamins. I’m addicted,” says the 37-year-old.
Jacobowitz believes this festival represents a new page in the development of Jewish music.
“Australia is famous for having the most Holocaust survivors per capita [after Israel], but Jewish music is so much more than the pain of the Holocaust. Now Australians will have the opportunity to hear different kinds of Jewish voices.”
Sydney soul rocker Adrian Deutsch will take the stage after touring the USA earlier this year. Describing himself as a proud “atheist Jew”, Deutsch promises to bring some old fashioned fun to the festival.
“That’s what people want right? I’ll try and play mostly upbeat numbers and jump around. I want to see some live Klezmer music for sure,” he says.
“Like a lot of Australian Jews, I’m the offspring of Holocaust survivors. It’s important to get behind music and art to engage with the broader community.”
The Preachers, Sydney’s dynamic ensemble, are making a mark on the local live scene. Gideon Bensen, one half of the band’s singing duo, says the festival provides an opportunity to put faith in perspective.
“This festival is literally putting the Jewish faith on another stage,” he says. “It will hopefully show what it represents and holds dear.”
Moriah College student Doron Chester, 16, will perform on the biggest stage of his career. The vocalist says he’s excited and honoured to be part of this historic event.
The festival kicks off at 11am at the Bondi Pavilion. Early bird tickets at www.shirmadness.com for $50, $30 concession or $120 family passes.
– BY SHEENAL SINGH
