Light in Winter!

Light in Winter is a monthly concert series held at Or Shalom’s sanctuary in East Vancouver, bringing live music to the dark fall and winter nights.

January 20, 2024 – Jesse Waldman Trio

One of Jesse Waldman’s most cherished possessions is a cassette of his grandmother singing the Yiddish folk song Papirosen to his mother. A remnant, like the abandoned guitar discovered in his parent’s basement, drove his rock ‘n roll dreams out of the suburban sprawl of Thornhill, Ontario, and into the bars of downtown Toronto. A journey cross-country led him to mountains, ocean, and into the arms of Vancouver’s Commercial Drive music scene. Now his home of over twenty years, the West Coast continues to inspire his lush imagery, sublime melodies, and outstanding technique.

Influenced by folk and blues pioneers Townes Van Zandt, JJ Cale, and Neil Young, Jesse has toured Canada, Western US, and the UK, performing everywhere from local pubs to soft-seat theaters, appearing at major festivals including Vancouver’s Folk and International Jazz Fests, Burnaby Blues and Roots Fest and Mission Folk Fest.

“It’s a body of work born from the need, as Waldman sings, “to keep a light on in the dark,” a message that resonates now more than ever, no matter where you call home.”

Click on this image to purchase tickets for the Jesse Waldman Trio. This event will be live-only, no livestream

“When you play music, you’re bringing light into the darkness” Carlos Santana

Previous Light in Winter Concerts

Playing at Or Shalom is a great experience, in a small hall with great acoustics, with an attentive and enthusiastic audience.

Or Shalom is an East Vancouver progressive Jewish spiritual community that sponsors monthly Saturday night concerts throughout the dark winter months. Our community aims to support music from Eastern European traditions as well as music from the Middle East. The venue is small (80 seats) but has great acoustics, and we provide in-house audio, and a livestream of the event with high production value. We sell tickets on Eventbrite and provide guarantees to musicians as well as share ticket revenue.

Contact Or Shalom Light in Winter Concerts for more information.

November 25 2023 Queen Kong

October 28, 2023 Jake Shulmen-Ment and Pete Rushefsky

Comments from previous performers:

“Playing Or Shalom is a beautiful experience. The audience is a real community, with a diverse range of ages and backgrounds. They clearly believe in the spiritual power of music to bring people together, heal and celebrate. And they listen! More than a gig.”
– Geoff Berner

“Or Shalom was one of the highlights of our BC tour 2018. We were amazed by the natural acoustic of the synagogue as well as the great listening and the warmth of the audience. We would play there again anytime!”
– Gabriel Paquin-Buki, Oktopus

I have played at Or Shalom a few times in the past and the experience every time was very beautiful. The audience is super attentive and listening deeply to the music, the staff is always warm and helpful, and their commitment and dedication to bring the best sound to the room is amazing!
Thank you!! – Itamar Erez

Performing at Or Shalom is a joy that I have experienced a couple of times. The performance space at Or Shalom is intimate with excellent sound. I felt the audience focus very deeply on my music which makes it such a joy to play – hope to do so again sometime soon,
– Ed Henderson

	Light In Winter Concerts 2018

January 6, 2018 - The Shari Ulrich Trio	February 3, 2018 - Guitarists Ed Henderson & Itamar Erez	March 17, 2018 - Geoff Berner Band

Oktopus at Or Shalom

Previous Light in Winter Events

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Saturday, March 13, 7:30 – 9:00 pm

Traditional Middle Eastern and Flamenco Music and Songs by Emad Armoush

Fluent in Spanish, English, and Arabic, he performs a repertoire of flamenco, jazz, Arabic, Turkish and Persian music. Emad is a multi-instrumentalist and singer. He plays flamenco guitar, Oud and Ney, and sings Arabic, flamenco, and jazz.

Watch this concert on YouTube at https://youtu.be/L–zQWJM_DM

Saturday, February 13, 7:30 – 9:00 pm (Pacific)

Jazz with Andrea Superstein, Livestreamed from the Bayit

This event was live-streamed over youtube https://youtu.be/QvOQ8nxTPpQ
No live audience, but delicious music.

Saturday, December 12, 7:30 – 8:30 pm (Pacific)

Chanukah Lights in Winter Concert Featuring Noah Gotfrit and Trio – Livestreamed from the Bayit

Jazz for a Chanukah Evening with Candle Lighting.

Click the video below to watch the Livestream of the Chanukah Lights in Winter concert, with Noah Gotrit on bass and Brad Shigheta on trombone!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psQk-pvusHE&feature=youtu.be

Saturday, April 11, 2020 at 7:30 pm (Pacific)

Geoff Berner was welcomed back to the Or Shalom Light in Winter concert, now virtual! This event was live-streamed over youtube https://youtu.be/QvOQ8nxTPpQ
No live audience, but great music and entertainment. Instead of buying tickets, Geoff asked everyone to make a donation to Covid-19 Coming Together (Vancouver)