Klezmer Starts Here
A Benefit for Amara with Seattle Fiddlesticks and the Music of Herman S. Shapiro

Doors: 6:30pm Show: 7:30pm           Tickets: $20 advance, $25 doors

Advance tickets can only be purchased online-we do not sell advance tickets at the venue. Refunds are not available within 48 hours of the event. Tickets do not guarantee seating during shows at the Royal Room. 

We are now accepting reservations for diners! After purchasing tickets, please visit the Reservations page to book a table. Table reservations require advance tickets, and are only for guests who plan to dine at the Royal Room.  We do not take reservations over the phone. Seating for non-diners is first come, first served. Please arrive early to guarantee a seat!

Klezmer Starts Here!
A Benefit for Amara with Seattle Fiddlesticks and the Music of Herman S. Shapiro

Amara is an open and affirming nonprofit working to improve the well-being of kids and families experiencing, or at risk of entering, the foster care system. Amara supports children in foster care and all the adults (parents, foster/kinship caregivers) who care for them. They seek to fill the gaps in the child welfare system by developing and providing trauma-informed programs that foster true connection and healing. They provide direct support to youth and families via case management, system navigation, trainings, a free youth development program, mentoring, support groups, their Family Resource Center in Tacoma, and more. Additionally, Amara advances racial and LGBTQIA+ equity and is certified by the Human Rights Campaign as a Recognized Leader in Supporting and Serving LGBTQIA+ Families. Amara celebrated 100 years in 2021 and served more than 2,800 people last year. www.Amarafamily.org

“Traditional music's next generation” Seattle Fiddlesticks is a place where young music students discover the joy of traditional music styles, with workshops and performing programs year-round since 2022. Founded and directed by Shulamit Kleinerman, Fiddlesticks has performed with Scottish fiddle champion Brandon Vance and klezmer violin master Steven Greenman. Most participants are between the ages of 8 and 18, and they enjoy delving into multiple styles together, from old-time to Irish to klezmer. Fiddlesticks will be joined by guest soloists Mae Kessler (violin) and Nick Chrisman (cello). www.seattlefiddlesticks.org

Herman S. Shapiro was a violinist/composer about whom almost nothing is known. Between 1902 and 1906, he published three pieces of classical music that drew heavily on the klezmer tradition, in particular, The European Jewish Wedding, which combines traditional tunes and original composition to evoke a marriage celebration of Ashkenzai Jews. This suite, as well as two others – Kisheneff Massacre and Dr. Herzl Elegy – have only survived as piano reduction scores. They have been freshly arranged by Laurie Andres (Kesselgarden and Tzepl) and Mark Lutwak (The Klein Party, The Talne Trio, The Luz Bones) for an ensemble that includes Carl Shutoff (clarinet), Sabrina Pope (clarinet), Marc Gavin   (violin), Duncan Weiner (trombone), Aaron Harmonson (contrabass), Laurie Andres (accordion & piano), and Mark Lutwak (accordion & piano)

Klezmer Starts Here! is a curated series at Seattle’s Royal Room presented by The Klein Party and South Hudson Music Project featuring local and national klezmer musicians exploring the breadth and depth of Yiddish music.