The Power of Yiddish Tango
Put A Yid On It! Festival of New Yiddish Culture is concluded for another year, and we couldn’t be happier for all the folks that came out to enjoy these rich cultural traditions.
Highlight: Payadora Tango Ensemble: The Soul of Yiddish Tango
Internationally acclaimed Payadora Tango Ensemble traced the journey of tango into Yiddish culture through an emotional and immersive live performance. They took to the stage at the Berney Theatre here in Winnipeg on June 9 to a fabulous, appreciative crowd.
But that’s not all!
This week offered a wealth of Yiddish culture to share with our community, from dance parties, to films, to our closing night concert with Yiddish superstars, The Klezmatics.
About Payadora Tango Ensemble: The Soul of Yiddish Tango
Put a Yid On It! Festival of New Yiddish Culture presented an evening exploring the deep historical connections between Yiddish culture and Argentine tango.
Featuring the acclaimed Toronto-based ensemble Payadora (partly made up of member of Shmaltz and Pepper) and the internationally revered dance partnership of Fabian and Roxana Belmonte, this unique performance brought together music, dance, and storytelling to uncover the often-overlooked role of Jewish immigrants and Yiddish culture in the development of tango in Argentina.
Through English, Spanish, Yiddish, and dance, audiences journeyed through stories of migration, identity, memory, and artistic exchange!
Highlight: I Have Sinned (Al Khet)
Wednesday, June 10 | 7:30 p.m. | Berney Theatre, Rady JCC
A rare and remarkable piece of Yiddish cinema returned to the screen.
Blending drama, comedy, and music, this newly restored 1936 film tells a sweeping story of love, loss, and survival across decades and continents. It offers a fascinating glimpse into early Yiddish filmmaking and storytelling.
Presented with English subtitles and a full digital restoration, this was a unique chance to experience a film that has rarely been seen in decades.
This was a special screening for film lovers and history enthusiasts alike.
Highlight: Romeo & Juliet in Yiddish
Thursday, June 11 | 7:30 p.m.
A fresh and unexpected take on a classic story.
Set in contemporary Brooklyn, this clever and engaging film follows a group of young translators working to bring Romeo and Juliet into modern Yiddish. Along the way, language, identity, and lived experience shape the story in surprising ways.
Blending humour with heartfelt moments, the film offers a unique perspective on tradition and change.
A creative reimagining that feels both familiar and entirely new.
Headliner: The Klezmatics: We Were Made for These Times 40th Anniversary Tour
Saturday, June 13 | 8:00 p.m. | Crescent Arts Centre
They were made for these times. You won’t want to miss them.
The Grammy Award-winning Klezmatics closed the “Put A Yid On It!” festival with a powerful night of music that blended klezmer, jazz, folk, and global influences into something bold, joyful, and completely alive.
Known around the world for their electrifying live performances, the legendary ensemble brought an energy that transforms concerts into shared celebration. The ensemble is celebrating their 40th Anniversary, and our community was invited to the party!
With Thanks
The ‘Put a Yid On It!’ Festival of New Yiddish Culture is made possible through the generous support of The Asper Foundation and its Cultural Enrichment Initiative, along with the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg.
At the Rady JCC, we believe arts and culture bring people together in meaningful ways. Through this support, including a Jewish Community Impact and Ongoing Grant through the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba (JFM), as well as the Laurie Mainster Community Visionary Fund, and the I.L. Peretz Folk School Endowment Trust, both held at the JFM, we are able to create welcoming, accessible experiences where people can connect, celebrate, and feel part of something special.
This festival is a reflection of that shared commitment. We are deeply grateful to our supporters for helping bring these moments to life and for ensuring that Jewish culture continues to be vibrant, evolving, and open to all.