Ashkenaz (music venue) facts for kids
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| Address | Berkeley, California United States |
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| Designation | Berkeley Landmark |
The Ashkenaz is a lively place in Berkeley, California, United States, where people enjoy live music and dance. It's a special kind of organization called a non-profit, which means it uses its money to support its mission rather than for profit. Ashkenaz is famous for its focus on world music, bringing sounds from all over the globe to its stage.
In 2011, readers of the East Bay Express newspaper voted Ashkenaz the best place to dance. It has also been recognized as a special historical place. Since September 8, 1992, it has been a Berkeley Landmark. Its official landmark name is the Ashkenaz Music and Dance Community Center.
Contents
History of Ashkenaz
How Ashkenaz Started
Ashkenaz first opened its doors in 1973. It was created by a talented performance artist and activist named David Nadel. David moved from Los Angeles to attend the University of California, Berkeley. While there, he formed a dance troupe.
His dance group began by renting spaces on San Pablo Avenue for their practices. Later, David Nadel and six other people decided to buy the building where Ashkenaz is located today. He chose the name "Ashkenaz" to honor his Ashkenazi Jewish family background.
Building the Community Center
The original building was a collection of old retail shops. David Nadel and his friends worked together to build the unique wooden front that you see today. This design was made to look like an old Eastern European synagogue.
The entire building covers about 5,000 square feet. Its special design and history were recognized in 1993. The city of Berkeley officially named Ashkenaz a city landmark that year.
A New Beginning for Ashkenaz
On December 19, 1996, a sad event happened at the club. David Nadel passed away due to a tragic incident. After this, a group of people who loved Ashkenaz decided to keep it going.
They bought the venue and formed a non-profit organization. This allowed Ashkenaz to reopen its doors just six months later, on June 21, 1997. The community's effort ensured that the music and dance could continue.
Ashkenaz Today
Music and Dance for Everyone
Today, Ashkenaz continues to be a hub for world music. It features both local artists and musicians from around the globe. The types of music you can hear there are very diverse. They range from energetic hip-hop to lively Cajun music.
Ashkenaz also hosts events that celebrate Judaism. These include special holiday celebrations and concerts featuring klezmer music. Many concerts at Ashkenaz start with a dance lesson. This helps everyone learn the dance style that goes with the music.
Community and Environment
Ashkenaz is a place that supports its community. They host benefit events for local groups and activists. Examples include the American Indian Movement and the Nature Conservancy.
The organization also tries to be a zero waste business. This means they work hard to recycle everything they can. They also give customers glasses of water instead of water bottles to reduce waste.
Programs and Facilities
Ashkenaz even has its own television program! It's called Ashkenaz Live and airs on Berkeley Community Television. The show highlights performances and shares the history of different music genres.
On Sundays, Ashkenaz offers a live children's program. Musicians play music especially for local children. The venue has a main stage for performances and a dance studio. There's also a café that serves beer, wine, and delicious vegetarian food. An upstairs space, where David Nadel used to live, is now used as an office.
See also
- International folk dancing
