KlezKolorado is a weekend-long celebration of Klezmer music, Yiddish culture, creativity, and Jewish community in the heart of Denver. Organized by the front range bund, the festival centers local and nationally recognized Klezmer artists, the festival brings together concerts, workshops, cultural experiences, and opportunities to connect with fellow music lovers and Yiddishists. We celebrate the vibrant Klezmer revival happening across Denver, Boulder, and beyond while creating a welcoming space for people of all backgrounds to gather, learn, and celebrate together. As a queer-led and queer-centered festival, we are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone belongs.
Hosted at the Mizel Arts and Culture Center at the JCC Denver, KlezKolorado transforms one of the city’s premier cultural destinations into a lively hub of music, learning, and celebration. Throughout the weekend, guests can enjoy inspiring performances, hands-on workshops, participatory music sessions, dancing, delicious food, family-friendly activities, and opportunities to build community—all conveniently located in one place. With ample free parking and a central Denver location, the festival makes it easy to experience everything KlezKolorado has to offer, whether you join us for a single concert or immerse yourself in the full weekend of programming.
KlezKolorado Schedule
| Key |
|---|
| General programming, meals, logistics, welcomes, and community time |
| Concerts and performances |
| Participatory music, jams, and music-focused workshops |
| Singing, dance, and other participatory cultural activities |
| Culture, history, literature, and discussion-based workshops |
| Jewish traditions, ideas, and cultural knowledge |
| Beginner musicianship; no or limited experience required |
| Intermediate/advanced musicianship; some playing experience recommended |
| Designed specifically for children |
| Open and welcoming to children and families |
| Day | Time | Activity | Presenter(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, October 23 | 6:15 pm | Welcome to KlezKolorado | Ben Sweet |
| 6:30 pm | Kabbalat Shabbat + One Song | Louise Fix, Hal Aqua | |
| 6:45 – 7:45 pm | Shabbat Dinner | Everyone | |
| 8:00 – 8:45 pm | Evening Concert | Hal & The Lost Tribe | |
| 9:00 – 9:45 pm | Evening Concert | Gora Gora | |
| 10:00 – 11:00 pm | Community Jam | Zoe Aqua | |
| Saturday, October 24 | 9:30 am | Welcome Message | Ben Sweet |
| Block One | 9:45 – 10:45 am | Jewish Music from Moldavia | Jake Shulman-Ment |
| Block One | 9:45 – 10:45 am | Kids Music Workshop | Zoe Aqua |
| Block One | 9:45 – 10:45 am | Intro to Playing Klezmer Music | Alice Hansen |
| Block One | 9:45 – 10:45 am | Jewish Anxiety | Caryn Aviv |
| Block One | 9:45 – 10:45 am | Yiddish & Authoritarianism | Ben Sweet |
| Block One | 9:45 – 10:45 am | Music of the Jewish Mystics | Hal Aqua |
| Block Two | 11:00 am – 12:00 pm | Yiddish Dance | Sarah Horowitz; musicians TBD |
| Block Two | 11:00 am – 12:00 pm | Intro to Playing Klezmer Music | Tung Pham |
| Block Two | 11:00 am – 12:00 pm | Tunes and Stories of the Great Clarinetist Sid Beckerman | Margot Leverett |
| Block Two | 11:00 am – 12:00 pm | Yiddish Poets and Songwriting | Daniel Kahn |
| Block Two | 11:00 am – 12:00 pm | Yiddish Singing | Chloe Resler |
| Lunch | 12:15 – 1:15 pm | Lunch | Everyone |
| Performance | 2:45 – 3:30 pm | Performance | Mish Mish |
| Performance | 1:30 – 2:30 pm | Performance | Margot Leverett & Jordan Wax |
| Art Opening | 3:15 – 4:15 pm | Art Show Opening & Free Time | Leah |
| Block Three | 4:15 – 5:15 pm | So You Think You Can't Play by Ear? | Zoe Aqua |
| Block Three | 4:15 – 5:15 pm | Yiddish Nigun | Louise Fix |
| Block Three | 4:15 – 5:15 pm | New Jewish Narratives | Janelle Treibitz |
| Block Three | 4:15 – 5:15 pm | Klezmer Kids Performance | Jordan Wax |
| Block Three | 4:15 – 5:15 pm | Ashkenazi Herbalism | Barack Ben-amots |
| Block Three | 4:15 – 5:15 pm | Inside the Klezmer Modes | Yonatan Malin |
| 5:30 – 6:30 pm | Dinner | Everyone | |
| 6:30 pm | Havdallah | Erin Adlerstein | |
| 6:45 – 7:30 pm | Evening Program | Upsherin | |
| 7:35 – 8:35 pm | Evening Concert | Daniel Kahn & Jake Shulman-Ment | |
| 8:45 pm – Late | Jam Night 2 | Zoe Aqua | |
| Sunday, October 25 | 10:00 am | Doors Open | |
| 10:30 am | Community Day / Program Starts | Snacks and Art Project | |
| 10:30 – 11:15 am | Concert | Ariel Shapiro, Rachel Leader & Ozzy Gold - Shapiro | |
| 11:15 – 11:30 am | Yiddish Group Singing / Closing | Ariel Shapiro, Rachel Leader & Ozzy Gold - Shapiro | |
| 11:30 am – 12:00 pm | Goodbyes | ||