A Real Find - Yiddish Folk Singer Art Todras in VA

Subject: A Real Find - Yiddish Folk Singer - VA
From: Maryrrf
Date: 21 Jun 05 - 04:44 PM

It was such slim pickings for traditional folk music in Richmond, VA that two friends and myself decided to found our own organization and host monthy concerts featuring traditional folk music. We've held two concerts, one almost full to capacity and the second, a concert devoted to Yiddish Folk Songs, sold out. We didn't know how an evening of Yiddish Folk Songs would go over in Richmond, but I'd heard Art Todras sing in a Klezmer band and decided we had to do an evening highlighting the priceless, rare material he'd researched and collected over the years. Well, what an evening it was! An unbelievable selection of songs drawn from Eastern Europe and early 20th century America - ranging from sad and mournful to happy and hilarious - there were songs from the Hassidic tradition, work songs, songs from the early labor movements in America, devotional songs...   There was no need to speak Yiddish, everybody, and I mean everybody, was drawn into the stories Art told and the songs he sang! And we learned a lot about Jewish history in the process. It was unforgettable. If anybody is interested in booking Art pm me and I'll send you his contact info (I'm not his agent or anything - I just really admire his singing and his scholarship, as well as his way of communicating with the audience). You can see pictures on our website :http://www.richmondfolkmusic.org/archives/061805.htm

Subject: RE: A Real Find - Yiddish Folk Singer - VA
From: GUEST,Paul Burke
Date: 22 Jun 05 - 04:58 AM

Oy! Loved Shprayz Ikh Mir, it might well get transcribed and appear some time in the future played at the New Mills klez session- if it survives.

If he fancies a trip to UK sometime....

Subject: RE: A Real Find - Yiddish Folk Singer - VA
From: Maryrrf
Date: 22 Jun 05 - 08:24 AM

He performed that and many more songs that were equally delightful - I'm urging him to make a CD!

Subject: RE: A Real Find - Yiddish Folk Singer - VA
From: Felipa
Date: 09 Jul 23 - 12:01 PM

the link doesn't work now and I didn't find anything relevant in an internet search for Art Todras. Did he ever make a recording, what Klezmer bands did he perform with, are there any online or archive sources of his material?

Subject: RE: A Real Find - Yiddish Folk Singer - VA
From: Maryrrf
Date: 09 Jul 23 - 04:30 PM

He still performs locally in Richmond with a Klezmer band, but unfortunately he has not made any recordings. Funny you should revive this thread from 2005. The concert series I started had a good run until 2013. And then I moved to Europe but still keep in touch with Art through Facebook. By coincidence, Art and his wife just visited me a couple of weeks ago here in Southern Spain

Subject: RE: A Real Find - Yiddish Folk Singer - VA
From: Maryrrf
Date: 09 Jul 23 - 04:30 PM

He still performs locally in Richmond with a Klezmer band, but unfortunately he has not made any recordings. Funny you should revive this thread from 2005. The concert series I started had a good run until 2013. And then I moved to Europe but still keep in touch with Art through Facebook. By coincidence, Art and his wife just visited me a couple of weeks ago here in Southern Spain

Subject: RE: A Real Find - Yiddish Folk Singer Art Todras in VA
From: FreddyHeadey
Date: 14 Jul 23 - 05:38 AM

Richmond Folk Music's new web page seems to be
www.richmondfolkmusic.com
There isn't an archive section.
They've had one concert since restarting, New Year's Eve '22-'23.


Facebook
https://facebook.com/RVAFolkMusic

Here's a band page that Art Todras is mentioned in :
',,,vocals, trombone'
Klezm’Or’Ami’m
https://or-ami.com/klezmer/