An Evening of Literary and Musical Influences from the Original Borsht Belt November 17, 2004

Russian/Jewish author Gary Shteyngart will headline an evening of New York City words and music with deep Russian roots on Wednesday, November 17 at 7 p.m. at the Museum of Jewish Heritage - A Living Memorial to the Holocaust. He is joined by the bands Tridruga and Yöke for acoustic musical sets interspersed with readings from Mr. Shteyngart?s debut novel The Russian Debutante?s Handbook. Tickets to this event are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors, and $10 for members and students and can be purchased online at www.mjhnyc.org or by calling (646) 437-4202.

Tridruga joins Russian and Eastern European folk music with American jazz in an extraordinary way. Accordionist Yuri Lemeshev, who also serves in the acclaimed gypsy/punk/cabaret band, Gogol Bordello, leads Tridruga.

Yöke is a nine-piece Siberian/swing/salsa band that combines the brooding folk music of its Russian homeland with New York City influences ranging from Latin percussion to Jamaican hip-hop. Yöke is led by painter/songwriter Ilias Muratov.