Saints & Tzadiks: A Concert of Irish and Yiddish Songs February 16, 2011

The University of St. Thomas William J. Flynn Center for Irish Studies will host Saints & Tzadiks: A Concert of Irish and Yiddish Songs, by renowned Irish singer Susan McKeown and Lorin Sklamberg, lead vocalist of The Klezmatics. The concert will be held at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 16, on the University of St. Thomas campus, Jones Hall, 3910 Yoakum.

The concert explores the connections between Irish and Yiddish songs, lore and myth. Culled from rare archive material and old recordings, McKeown and Sklamberg have selected songs on various themes from the Irish and Jewish traditions such as love, death, betrothal and betrayal. The bulk of the Jewish material is drawn from the Ruth Rubin Archive at the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research. The Irish songs come from both the popular and the ancient Gaelic sean nós traditions.

The event is sponsored by The William J. Flynn Center for Irish Studies Cultural Outreach Forum, Houston Young Professionals Supporting Irish Studies, The Irish Society and the Jewish Community Center of Houston. These cultural outreach programs are funded in part by a grant from the City of Houston through the Houston Arts Alliance.

The concert is open to public. Admission is $10 for adults at door; children and students free. To RSVP or for more details, contact Lori Gallagher at 713-525-3592 or irishstudies@stthom.edu.