The Levins: Acoustic Musicians and Storytellers
Original, Intergenerational and Interactive Concerts
Their concerts accentuate the connection between communities and generations with a light-hearted depth that delights and promotes joy. Their recordings have garnered invitations to perform in Amsterdam, England and throughout the United States at festivals, synagogues, churches and community centers.
Ira and Julia perform as a duo or with their world folk ensemble as heard on their first CD: 36; inspired by the legend of the silent saints who keep the world in balance with their selfless benevolence; and again on their second release: My Friend Hafiz; renderings of the poetry of the 14th century Sufi Master (as translated by Daniel Ladinsky). Their recordings bring a message of universal love and divine compassion to the listener, emphasizing the common thread between spiritual communities. In addition, their diverse musical and story repertoire extends from children’s music to American Songbook, offering the opportunity to bring generations and communities together in celebration.
Ira and Julia have had solo and separate music careers. Ira Levin is also known as Uncle Eye (as seen on PBS Kids!) and Julia had a nine year tenure with internationally-acclaimed a cappella women’s quartet, Vocolot. Their dedication to making the world a happier place through music, together and apart, has led them to relocate to New York, yet they remain bicoastal, visiting their northern California communities, especially in winter!
PROGRAM OPTIONS:
All programs can be inclusive of community choirs or geared towards current curriculum / holiday.
Let us entertain you!
The Levins’ Family Concert: Join singing-storytellers Ira and Julia Levin sharing the joy of Jewish wisdom through interactive stories and songs. Presenting funny and poignant midrash from the Torah, legends, and fairytales, along with original and popular songs to engage children ages 4 to 10 years old.
Jewish Stories and Songs for Kids (Children/Family)
Captain Tree and the Source of Creation!
Weaving stories of rabbinical wisdom and tales of wonder with contemplative songs into a tapestry of mystic joy. An original spin on rare and traditional tales bringing the characters and messages to life with animated narrative, humor and song (in English, Hebrew, and Yiddish).
Adolescent Programming
Inspired by the desire to recognize common threads between spiritual communities, The Levins share a concert of song and story honoring the melodic and mystic connections between faiths. A divine mystic mash-up of traditional melodies and The Levins releases,“36” and “My Friend Hafiz”, celebrating the Lamed Vavniks, Kabbalists, sacred Jewish texts and concepts, as well as the inspiring words of post-Rumi 14th century Sufi poet, Hafiz of Shiraz (as translated by Daniel Ladinsky). A great opportunity for Ira and Julia to work with your choirs and to extend the invitation to the interfaith community, resulting in concert and celebration.
The Levins World Folk Ensemble: The musical concert combining western and middle eastern traditions, rhythms, and poetic inspiration.
Uplifting acoustic world folk music with beautiful vocal harmonies inspired by the Sufi poetry of 14th century Persian mystic Hafiz of Shiraz, as translated by Daniel Ladinsky in his book “The Gift”, as well as traditional and original Jewish Mystic music. Ira and Julia are joined by middle eastern percussion and cello.
MORE ABOUT THE LEVINS
“The Levins’ music celebrates our common humanity, reaching across cultural and religious borders, and the beauty of caring for each other.”
— Lynn Simon/Director of Family Services JCC of the East Bay
“The Levins have that all-too-rare combination of upbeat, sonically-active lyrics set to harmonically interesting music, presented with a professional and engaging stage presence.”
— Bill Pere, Director, Grammy Nominee, CT Folk Festival judge / The Levins 2011 winner
“Thank you, Levins, for such an amazing concert. You kept the house rocking all morning long with your energetic music and lush harmonies. I was most amazed that you could engage an audience of such a wide age range… we laughed, we sang, we ALL had a great time!”
— Cantor Steve Hummel, The Santa Monica Synagogue
“The Levins’ folk music speaks the universal language of hope and compassion.”
— Sergio Kozlovsky, Radio Magico, Belarus