not for a bingo evening but for an evening of LIVE folk music,
their island of sanity in the midst of turbulent waters of everyday life
and reality.
The venue itself is as far from a musical club as a giraffe is from
the beach but only in appearance. Once the audience settles down,
they let themselves listen and breathe in live folk music in the widest
variety of the word, be it British Isles folk and ballads, or American 60s,
Blues, Jazz, Folk-Rock or World music. They breathe the music in
and become 16 or 20 all over again! This event, called The Tel Aviv
Folk Club, has been running for almost 40 years, most of them in
Bikurey Ha'Itim Center (until it was pulled down to be rebuilt as a school)
and in recent years in Mo'adon Avivim in Ramat Aviv.
Folk Club, has been running for almost 40 years, most of them in
Bikurey Ha'Itim Center (until it was pulled down to be rebuilt as a school)
and in recent years in Mo'adon Avivim in Ramat Aviv.
So what brings people twice a month to Ramat Aviv, from Jerusalem,
and even from Pardes Hanna or from as far as Har Halutz in the north?
Love of music, a sense of community and a variety!
Nostalgia too, but not only, since many musicians are young and even
unknown (until the first time they appear for us) and much of the music
is original. In one evening you hear 4 different musicians (including duos,
trios or bands, mostly unamplified) who transport you to the 60s of your
youth, to a smoky Blues club and to Brazil or Africa…for just 30 shekels.
In one evening you meet musicians and hear from them about the music
they sing or write, you hum along and sometimes harmonize, and
of course, you meet your friends.
Nostalgia too, but not only, since many musicians are young and even
unknown (until the first time they appear for us) and much of the music
is original. In one evening you hear 4 different musicians (including duos,
trios or bands, mostly unamplified) who transport you to the 60s of your
youth, to a smoky Blues club and to Brazil or Africa…for just 30 shekels.
In one evening you meet musicians and hear from them about the music
they sing or write, you hum along and sometimes harmonize, and
of course, you meet your friends.
And what brings musicians, young or older, to The Tel Aviv Folk Club,
where they sing and play for no payment? The warm and supportive
audience, even if not large, the fact that musicians are being listened to
and not just regarded as background music while trying to overcome
chattering voices and coffee machines in cafes or pubs. They can try out
their new material on us without the fear of tomatoes being thrown at them.
Musicians love this friendly community and family which welcomes them
with open arms, ears and hearts.
where they sing and play for no payment? The warm and supportive
audience, even if not large, the fact that musicians are being listened to
and not just regarded as background music while trying to overcome
chattering voices and coffee machines in cafes or pubs. They can try out
their new material on us without the fear of tomatoes being thrown at them.
Musicians love this friendly community and family which welcomes them
with open arms, ears and hearts.
The downside is the décor which is a little too sterile and the fact that
there is no cafeteria in the place. That costs the folk club some new
audience members who would have attended, had there been beer
they could sip while listening.
there is no cafeteria in the place. That costs the folk club some new
audience members who would have attended, had there been beer
they could sip while listening.
Why would I recommend The Tel Aviv Folk Club, just as I would
recommend its sibling establishments the Karmi'el Folk Club and
the Jerusalem Folk Music Evenings? Because you gain all the 'perks'
of good music, close proximity, friends and community, for a small
admission fee and free parking(!) and you suffer none of the
aches and pains caused by loud amplification, peripheral noise
recommend its sibling establishments the Karmi'el Folk Club and
the Jerusalem Folk Music Evenings? Because you gain all the 'perks'
of good music, close proximity, friends and community, for a small
admission fee and free parking(!) and you suffer none of the
aches and pains caused by loud amplification, peripheral noise
and high price of a concert with or without food.
You may come nervous or tired but you leave calm, happy, content
and rejuvenated, having reached the fountain of youth and good music!
and rejuvenated, having reached the fountain of youth and good music!
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