Shows / Collabs

Irena Klepfisz

Full Blossom Concert

We are excited to share long-awaited footage from the "Full Blossom" concert at El Sol Brillante community garden on 13 July, 2025 with beloved writer Irena Klepfisz reading poems as our special guest.

Irena Klepfisz reads poems by Grace Paley, Naomi Shihab Nye, and Rokhl Korn: For Korn's "fun yener zayt lid," Irena gives first her own translation — "On the Poem's Other Side" — and then the original Yiddish. Plus Irke's enlightening commentary on the stage adaptation of I.B. Singer's "Yentl," apropos of our Klezbos songs at this concert dedicated to the memory of Jill Sobule & Jill's own "Music from Yentl" for a later version of that theater piece. (We had been Jill's house-band for these originals).

LMCC Grantee: 2025 Manhattan Arts Grant

This project was made possible in part with funds from Creative Engagement, a regrant program supported by the funding agencies — The New York City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) in partnership with the City Council; The New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature; and the Howard Gilman Foundation, and administered by LMCC.

Jill Sobule

Music from Yentl, Klezmer-meets-pop Collab

Jill Sobule (R.I.P.) presented her original music for a re-considered YENTL, with Isle of Klezbos playing full-band arrangements for this show at Lincoln Center's David Rubenstein Atrium (2015) and Joe's Pub at the Public Theater (2014). In tribute to Jill and this special project based on the trans-figuration story by Isaac Bashevis Singer, Isle of Klezbos will be performing special MUSIC FROM YENTL selections, honoring her memory with this beautiful lesser-known repertoire from our program together.

Jill was also our special guest at El Sol Brillante Garden for our Roots & Fruits celebration concert in September 2015, including a reprise of her distinctly non-Babs YENTL favorites with Klezbos as house band spanning genres from blues ballads to rambunctious pop-rock and klezmer dance tunes.

We are preparing two songs from the MUSIC FROM YENTL project which we played with Jill, to be shared at our upcoming shows at Joes Pub (6/24/2025) and El Sol Brillante Garden (7/13/2025) — both venues where we treasure our memories of sharing the stage with Jill.

Visit archived page for more info.

Gregg Bordowitz

MoMA PS1 Collab

Isle of Klezbos as house band for the full run of Gregg’s BENYAMIN ZEV’S SUCCOS SPECTACULAR! This three-show production featured Gregg starring in his own fantasy variety TV show, playing archetypes of Rock Star, Rabbi and Comedian — dwelling "upon the joys and tribulations of queer and Jewish diaspora.”

Susan Alexandra

New York Fashion Week Collabs

Designer Susan Korn has brought Isle of Klezbos to participate in two recent events, her “bat mitzvah” for Fashion Week 2019 and then for another product line launch event last fall. Both of Susan "Alexandra" Korn’s events were featured by Vogue and mentioned our band in their coverage.

Refuge

Blessed Unrest Theater Company & Teatri ODA of Kosovo Collab

NYC’s Blessed Unrest Theater Company & Kosovo’s Teatri ODA: REFUGE at Baruch Performing Arts Center in Spring 2019, featuring live music by Isle of Klezbos bandmates with Metropolitan Klezmer trio for the entire run.

A Letter To Harvey Milk

Broadway run opening party

Fabulous opening night performance followed by a party at Ben's Kosher Deli complete with the Lesbian Klezmer band, The Isle of Klezbos adapting highlights from the show.

Kiki Smith

The Museum at Eldridge Street site-specific Collab

Isle of Klezbos was commissioned to play in concert for the 2010 dedication of a visionary new stained glass window designed by artist Kiki Smith (who requested our band) and architect Deborah Gans, as featured on CBS Sunday Morning.