In Judaism, the phrase “People of the Book” refers to the Jewish people and the Torah. It was also the title of Geraldine Brook’s marvelous 2008 novel about the rediscovery of a Sarajevo Haggadah, whose pages are filled with mysteries, tragedies and wonders.
“People of the Book,” with the appendage “(the song, the dance, and the picture),” is also the name of an artistic collaboration in view and in performance this weekend at the Sabes Jewish Community Center. Conceived by choreographer and dancer Judith Brin Ingber, and composer/musician, Alex Lubet, the event is composed of music, dance, prose and visual art artworks that tell stories of the Jewish experience.
Ingber’s choreography for dancer Colette Illarde (best known locally for her flamenco dancing) is titled “Steeping into Heaven,” and was inspired by artist Georgette Sosin’s “Kadish Series,” which will be hanging in the JCC’s Tychman Shapiro Gallery.
Stuart Pimsler, co-founder and artistic director of Stuart Pimsler Dance & Theater, will perform “Schvitz.” In the 1996 work, Pimsler talks and dances with his deceased grandfather.
Also performing in the event are Guerino Mazzola (piano), James Holdman (guitar), Nicolai Zielinski (percussion), Jim Miller (flute), Iris Shiraishi (taiko drums), Ben Weisner (dance), Rob Smolund (dance), and the Hmong spoken word group Gobrosis (Tou Saiko Lee and Malia Lee).
“People of the Book,” 7:30 p.m. today and Saturday, 10 a.m. Friday, 2 p.m Sunday. Sabes Jewish Community Center, St. Louis Park. Tickets $12-$17. or call 952.381.3499.
