Coinciding with the National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene's [NYTF] 100(th) Anniversary Season, KulturfestNYC, the first-ever international Jewish performing arts festival, will bring together hundreds of global acts in theatre, music, dance, film, cuisine, lectures and more from over 30 countries, performing in multiple citywide locations for 8 days, from June 14-21.
"What better way to showcase the international commitment to this culture than by having this festival right here in the capital of the world, New York City," said
Bryna Wasserman, Executive Director of the award-winning NYTF, the longest consecutively-producing Jewish Arts organization.
The weeklong, non-stop engagement will span Manhattan's entirety. There will be much programming at The Museum of Jewish Heritage - A Living Memorial to the Holocaust, with which NYTF has entered a strategic partnership and residency. The Museum will be KulturfestNYC's central hub for activity. It's there the Festival will present featured acts including Israel's great dame of the stage Lea Koenig-Stolper's one-woman show, Yiddishspiel's critically-acclaimed production of The Kishka Monologues, honor the memory of beloved Yiddish folklorist and anthologist
Chana Mlotekz"l with an all-star concert: Mir Trogn a Gezang (We Carry a Song), host a symposium featuring the top Yiddish scholars from around the world, lead workshops and family programs, premiere the film
Theodore Bikel: In The Shoes of Sholem Aleichem with a VIP reception following the screening and play live music in the lobby all day and night.
"It's an historic occasion," added
Zalmen Mlotek, NYTF Artistic Director. "The Festival line-up is comprised of so many talented artists, from up-and-comers to Grammy winners. With dozens of programs spanning Manhattan from the seaport to uptown, from klezmer concerts to full-scale productions, it's going to be an incredible week with plenty of activities for New Yorkers and visitors alike."
Presented by NYTF, in collaboration with UJA-Federation, Capital One Bank and over 70 other major Jewish arts, corporate, philanthropic and cultural organizations, KulturfestNYC will feature acts from South Africa, Poland, Argentina, Israel, Romania, Norway, France, Australia, Russia, Hungary, Japan, Germany, Mexico, Belgium, Netherlands, Spain, Brazil, Venezuela, Ukraine, Czech Republic, Austria, the UK, Canada, the US and more. Among anticipated offerings are a street and food festival co-presented with the Workmen's Circle; a major outdoor concert at Central Park SummerStage featuring the world's leading Cantors; an signature series at NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts with the world-renown Ger Mandolin Orchestra led by Grammy winner Mike Marshall and a powerhouse collaboration between Grammy winner Frank London's Glasshouse Orchestra and Hungary's Muzsikas; a concert series at Joe's Pub at the Public with acts including Emmy and Tony winner
Ron Rifkin with guest performers
Joel Grey and
Debra Monk; and the US Off Broadway Premiere of The Dybbuk part of KulturfestNYC's play series at Abrons Arts Center.
"KulturfestNYC is a tribute to life, work, and legacy and an investment for future generations," said NYTF Executive Producer/COO
Chris Massimine. "It's designed to fully reflect the incredible worldwide contributions of this culture and is here to captivate audiences of all ages, ethnicities, and religions."
This extravaganza of global talent all coming together to inspire, educate and entertain kicks off at the Winter Garden at Brookfield Place on June 14, when KulturfestNYC partner Arts Brookfield presents the Grand Opening Concert, an evening of global pageantry featuring legendary singer-songwriter
Neil Sedaka and the Grammy Award-winning Klezmatics and special guests.
For more information about KulturfestNYC or National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene, please visit
www.nytf.org or call
(212) 213- 2120.
