A Klez Act web site
Text by Jacob Bloom
Web site design, editing, code by Rachael Stark
Photography, image editing by Chris Cirker
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A Klez Act web site
Rachael Stark © 1999
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Music and dance for everyone
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Jacob Bloom of A Klez Act leads Klezmer dancing, New England
dancing, Contra dancing and Square dancing. He also tells stories and
writes songs. Jacob will come to your school, synagogue, church, library,
wedding, community group, party, or anywhere you need great music, stories,
or dance. Contact Jacob Bloom and A Klez Act at
jacob@aklezact.com.
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Available on this site are descriptions of some of the Contra dances and Morris dances written by Jacob Bloom, a description of a Klezmer dance that Jacob collected in 1968, songs Jacob has written, a script for a Mummer's Play, as well as descriptions of the programs Jacob performs. Please browse through the site and let us know what you think. We'd like to hear from you!
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What is Klezmer dancing?
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Klezmer music is a musical tradition which dates back several centuries in
Eastern and Central Europe. Jewish immigrants brought it to this country,
where it was influenced by jazz, and influenced the styles of jazz
musicians such as Benny Goodman. After nearly disappearing, Klezmer music
was rediscovered by a new generation of musicians in the 1970's and is now
being enjoyed by people of many ages, religions, and ethnic backgrounds.
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Dance was a vibrant and important part of this tradition. Many Klezmer
tunes were written specifically for group dances such as the Freylach and
Bulgar, couple dances such as the Korobushka, and a square dance called the
Sher. Jacob is very excited by the opportunity to bring this world of
music and dance to the 21st Century American public.
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What is Contra dancing?
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New England Country Dancing, also known as contra and square dancing, has
been danced in New England town halls and grange halls without a break
since the seventeenth century. Since the 1960's it has enjoyed a revival,
and is now done around the world.
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Who is Jacob Bloom?
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Jacob started contra dancing in 1974, and has been calling since 1977. He
has combined his knowledge of Klezmer dance, which he learned as a
teenager and at Klezmer music conventions, with skills developed as a
leader of traditional New England dance. He has called evenings of contra
dancing set to Klezmer music, as well as evenings of Klezmer and Israeli
dance.
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| Dance for beginners |
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Jacob's two decades of dancing, choreography and dance calling let
him choose dances that work for all participants. He has created and
modified dances in both the New England and Klezmer traditions towards that
purpose, and is particularly adept at helping groups of beginners enjoy
themselves while dancing.
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| Writing and performing dance |
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Jacob has also been a Morris and sword dancer for over two decades, and has
taught these English Ritual dance forms to adults and children. Jacob has
toured in Europe with the English ritual dance team The Black Jokers, and
the New England dance performance group The Green Mountain Volunteers.
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Dances Jacob has composed have been included in the books Zesty Contras,
published by the New England Folk Festival Association, and Gems, published
by the Country Dance and Song Society of America.
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Contact Jacob Bloom & A Klez Act
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We provide dance calling, storytelling and music
for your group or event.
We take commissions for dances, music and songs for
weddings and other special occasions.
E-mail Jacob Bloom and A Klez Act at
jacob@aklezact.com.
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