Ravinia 2022, Issue 3

KENNETH ALVAREZ MARTIN THEATRE 7:30 PM TUESDAY, JULY 19, 2022 MAMES BABEGENUSH EMIL GOLDSCHMIDT, clarinet LUKAS RANDE, saxophones BO RANDE, flugelhorn NICOLAI KORNERUP, accordion ANDREAS MØLLERHØJ, double bass HENRIK HANSEN, drums MAMES BABEGENUSH Mames Babegenush is a sonic crossroads of the East meeting the North—strong Scandi- navian roots merging with the vibrant dance music of Eastern Europe. From the ambience of Nordic pine trees to lively weddings in Romania, the music of Mames Babegenush gives a sense of both melancholy and ecstatic, danceable exuberance. Formed in Copenha- gen in 2004, the six-piece ensemble quick- ly dazzled audiences as well as critics with a fresh sound and musical gumption. The group spent years perfecting traditional styles of Jewish and Eastern European folk music, but has always insisted on leaving a personal mark in its klezmer-jazz. Highly acclaimed across Europe, Mames Babegenush has collected such professional honors as jury and audience prizes from the International Jewish Music Festival in Amsterdam and the Danish Music Award for Best World Album of the Year. Touring global stages, the group has played some of the most storied venues and festivals, including Carnegie Hall and the Chicago World Music Festival in the United States, Bergen International Festival in Norway, The Royal Danish Theatre, Roskilde Festival in Denmark, and Paradiso inThe Netherlands. In 2020, Mames Babegenush was selected for one of the showcases at the World Music Expo in Finland, and their performance was filmed by Finnish Television and broadcast nationwide. That same year, the band was also featured on the Mundial Showcase at the Association of Performing Arts Professionals Conference in New York and the Folk Alliance Conference in New Orleans. The group’s fifth album— Mames Babe- genush with Strings , featuring the string quartet LiveStrings—was released in 2017, and their sixth is anticipated to be released next month. The group’s discography also includes an eponymous album (2014), Full Moons & Pay Days (2012), My Heart Aches When the Angels Dance (2011), and Klezmer Killed the Radio Star (2009). Mames Babegenush first appeared at Ravinia with a pair of concerts in 2019 and today makes its first return to the festival. PAVILION 7:30 PM WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2022 LINDSAY ELL –Intermission– LITTLE BIG TOWN HEAVY lifting to us. Leave the Wintrust chair & table RENTAL RESERVE LAWN chairs and tables when you order tickets by clicking “ADD-ON.” Wintrust Chair & Table Rental, managed by the Ravinia Women’s Board, supports Ravinia and its Reach Teach Play music education and engagement programs. For more information, visit Ravinia.org /ChairRental RAVINIA MAGAZINE • JULY 18 – JULY 31, 2022 28 KENNETH ALVAREZ