STOP-tober 5th: Entertainment

Long gone are the days when I had subscriptions to The Cinematique (art-house films) and the Camerati Orchestra. Nowadays my cultural outings are limited. And in STOP-tober especially so.

On Thursday evening my friend Emma hosted a musical soiree in a private salon. That's a fancy way of saying it was in someone's living room but if it's already a soiree it deserves a salon don't you think?

When she told me about it last week I was hesitant as I explained to her that I've no spare cash for babysitting this month. "Oh bring DD with," she enthused, "my children will be there." So it was sorted, DD and I went to a concert where the audience were all friends from the neighbourhood and entrance was a bottle of wine (volunteered as I had one in stock).

There were about seven children there and they sat mesmerized throughout by the accordion player (Emil Aybinder), the percussionist (Chen Zimbalista), and the singer (Nadia Kucher). The music was Russian Gypsy music - lively and clap-along. The atmosphere was warm and informal. The wine flowed and... and... and ... it was simply a lovely lovely evening.

L-R Nadia Kucher, Chen Zimbalista, Emil Aybinder (Photo by Matthew Morgenstern)

You can see DD at the bottom left of the photo (with the plait). We walked home in the dark afterwards, giggling and chatting like two teenagers returning from a night out on the town.

Thanks Emma, please let's do it again soon!

For Israeli readers, the trio are managed by Ruth ( ruthabr1@gmail.com ) and will be doing a number of concerts in Jerusalem and around Israel in the coming months.