Little Chef Klezmer Band performs at the first Open Drom Sessions event.

Open Drom Sessions is a new monthly jam at Dark Side dedicated to the music and spirit of Klezmer, Balkan, Turkish, Flamenco, Bulgarian, and beyond—a celebration of music without borders.

Each session begins with a set from a house band, then the floor opens up for a community jam. Bring your instrument, your voice, your iPad—or just your ears. Come dance, sing, play, or simply listen. Everyone is welcome, whether you’re a seasoned player or just curious about these traditions.

The event is 21+, so grab a beer, settle in, and join the circle. Bring your instrument, not your opinions—we’re here for the music and nothing else.

Register here.

JFUNK returns to Bisbee’s Sidepony Express festival. Sets at Copper Queen Hotel at 6pm and St. Elmo Bar at 12:30am.

The Nash 13th Anniversary weekend wraps up with a special performance by trumpet phenom Phillip Dizack and The Scottsdale Community College Jazz Orchestra, under the direction of Eric Rasmussen. This is a rare opportunity to hear one of the premier instrumentalists of his time in a big band setting.

Join us for a special evening of live music with The Bergamot, an acclaimed indie-folk duo (with full band) known for their textured harmonies and fearless songwriting. 

Tickets and more information here.

Little Chef Klezmer Band performs at Congregation B’nai Zion in El Paso, Texas. Featuring klezmer favorites and Yiddish songs with vocalist David Leviyev.

Details TBA

Solo saxophone at Frank Lloyd Wright’s Arizona studio and home.

JFunk performs as part of Resonance 2025, a new Phoenix music festival featuring bands, DJs, artists, and vendors at the historic Icehouse. Time TBA. More info and tickets here.

JFunk performs at Alwun House as part of the Good Grief solo art show by Tifa Holman. Free admission.

JFunk plays Linger Longer Lounge for Brett’s B-Day Art Show with the Lolly Bombs and Katie Mae. $10 cover.

The Scottsdale Community College Jazz Orchestra, under the direction of Eric Rasmussen, appears with guest artist Michael Mayo at the Nash, Phoenix’s premiere jazz club. Tickets and more information coming soon.

Jordan Wax presents a short set of selections from his new record The Heart Deciphers with members of the Little Chef Klezmer Band at Klezmerquerque, an annual festival of klezmer music and Yiddish dance in New Mexico. Photo: Randi Thompson.

Peoria’s 2nd Saturdays is a monthly music and art festival that takes place on the second Saturday of each month, October through April. Come to historic Downtown Peoria at Jefferson Street and 83rd Avenue from 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Come enjoy some Arizona’s best original art, music and artisan goods!

$5 cover; music at 9pm.

This New Year’s Eve, escape to the magic of New York City without leaving Arizona! Lone Butte is transforming into New York’s Central Park, complete with iconic sights, flavors, and performers. More here.

Backing band for The Bergamot at a private house holiday party.

The Arizona Jewish Historical Society hosts the Paradise Valley Community College Klezmer Ensemble for a program titled “From the Shtetl to the Bandstand”. Tickets and more information here.

The Paradise Valley Community College klezmer ensemble presents its first full concert featuring classic klezmer, Yiddish songs, a new Hannukah song by PVCC student Mishy Katz, and more. Free and open to the public.

Details TBA

Performing American songbook and swing favorites at Scottsdale restaurant.

The Scottsdale Community College Jazz Orchestra, under the direction of Eric Rasmussen, appears with guest artist Javon Jackson at the Nash, Phoenix’s premiere jazz club. Tickets and more information here.

The 4th annual Tempe Jam highlights local bands/musicians who live, work, or play in Tempe. Free, more info here.

Bisbee’s independent artist music festival, held across multiple venues. Set time / location TBA.

More information here.

Music and Dance Workshops | 1:00 pm & 3:00 pm

Concert & Dance Party | 7:00 pm

Dance leader Miryam Coppersmith will team up with Phoenix’s Little Chef Klezmer Band (LCKB) for the Phoenix Klezmer and Yiddish Dance Festival. Coppersmith and LCKB bandleader Max Schwimmer will present educational dance and music workshops, appropriate for participants of all ages and backgrounds. Participants in the music workshop will learn how to perform traditional klezmer melodies in a distinctive klezmer style, and dance workshop participants will explore the basics of Yiddish dance. All participants will be able to show off what they learned at the evening dance party and concert alongside LCKB and Coppersmith.

The Phoenix Klezmer and Yiddish Dance Festival is made possible in part by a grant from the City of Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture. Festival events are open to individuals of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.

Learn More and Register.

Yiddish dance offers many joyful and playful ways to move to klezmer music: in a line, a circle, with a partner, or on your own. Join dance leader Miryam Coppersmith and the PVCC Klezmer Ensemble to learn about the history of "dancing Jewish" and explore the different rhythms and dances of Eastern Europe.

Dancers of all backgrounds will get to experience the unique rhythmic improvisational interplay between dancer and musician within this form, embody the shapes and gestures specific to this dance, and explore the nuances of what it means to dance communally.

The workshop is free of charge and open to all. Made possible by a grant from the City of Phoenix Department of Arts and Culture. Halloween costumes encouraged!

Room: PVCC Black Box Theater, Building M East

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Tempe Center for the Arts presents JFunk in its 48 Live series highlighting Arizona artists.