ENCORE 2008

Music and Art Have Become a Vital Part of Our Everyday Lives
This summer the community was once again treated to a spectacular show: Encore ‘08. Taking place over four nights, the show now in its fourth year, has become the must-see highlight of the summer season. This year the show began with Hatikvah and G-d Bless America sung by Ruth Hyman and Albert Sutton.

The opening act was a Beatles medley sung by Joyce Mizrahi, Richie Mansour, Diana Sasson, Michelle Schrem, Eddie Gindi, and the multi-talented Julienne Dweck who also played the piano. Next on stage was an original comedy act by Sarah Abadi and Marshall Mizrahi, whose jokes were timed to perfection.

Forget the Rockettes, the dancers took us to a whole new level of expression and movement. Choreographed by Jessica Grant and Morris Beyda, the dancers: Sherry Ades, Barbara Beyda, Celia Cain, Helena Chraime, Jacqueline Escava, Lilly Esses, Grace Esses, Ilana and Lucy Gabbay, Fortune Haber, Cynthia Haddad, Yvette Halawani, Jacqueline Krost, Raquel Massry, Florence Nasar, Joyce Salame, Gitta Seruya, Sarah Yadid, and of course Morris Beyda, were superb. “Thriller” shook the audience out of their seats and “Wild, Wild Party” put us into a festive mood and made us want to get up and dance.

Joyce Mizrahi, once again, took us into the world of operatic music with her incredible voice and stage presence singing Puccini’s “Oh Mio Babbino.” The entourage of male vocalists Eddie Gindi, Irving Safdieh and Aaron Levy definitely exuded energy in their rock renditions of new and old favorites.

Maurice Zebede took the audience back in time to the legendary Tom Jones at his best. Sisters Bellene and Yvette Sutton graced the stage with their beautiful harmonic voices, as did Rena Nasar with her Miley Cyrus song “See you Again,” accompanied by her parents Joey and Adina.

Broadway, move over, Deborah Murad Nesser not only did ‘Spamalot’ but hilariously appeared throughout the show, to the delight of the audience. Sonja Cabasso, in a blonde wig, did an exotic rendition of Queen Latifa in Chicago.

Returning comedienne and singer Frieda Sutton was joined by her daughter Michelle Hazan in a witty, yet charming, Julie Andrews number. Young guitarists and vocalists Albert Shalom, Ezra Erani and Ralph Dweck, had the crowed clapping to the beat of “Brown Eyed Girl.” The classical highlight was the brilliant pianist Michael Harari playing a sonata by Mozart.

This year’s show was enhanced by Joey Nasar on the keyboard and his talented band, each one a marvelous virtuoso in his own right, Richie Goldblatt on the bass guitar, Nathan Rudy electric guitar, and Jimmy Sutton on the drums. This accompaniment gave all an added dimension, a truly professional full and rich sound. One after the other, these talented performers, kept coming out.

Alphonse Missry, a crooner reminded us what a truly ‘wonderful world’ we live in. Julian Tawil presented his original composition of “El Hahodaot” a creative, electrifying and inspiring piece that blended vocal and guitar and Oriental and liturgical music. Everyone loved the Doo Wop medley which was performed by Ellen Ades, Marilyn Ashkenazi, Jacklyn Lahav, Ellen Jemal and Robert Shamah. Their costumes, hair and makeup were a throwback to days gone by, with a great balance of pop sensibility. Frieda Gheriani made us feel like we were back in Nashville with a great country rendition of ‘Our Song.’ Lauren Ancona’s amazing voice and expertise in vocal and guitar playing, proved once again to be a crowd favorite.

Add to all of this: video, graphics, lights, sounds, fog and thunder and you have a great, great show, narrated by Hymie Azar whose professionalism and quick wit left the audience thoroughly entertained. For this huge endeavor we owe a great debt of gratitude to Sheila Mizrahi, Sheila Schweky, Nadine Shalom and Sari Setton who with a wonderful team of assistants devoted their whole summer, day and night, to make this show the success it is.

Going into the JCC, one couldn’t help but notice the crowds of people gazing at the unique art exhibit curated, by Nina Cohen, Paulette Grazi and Judith Mamiye. It was an eclectic display by wonderful artists: Renna Abadi, Barbara Beyda, Renee Beyda, Jocelyn Escava, Sofia Tawil-Jemal, Joyce Harari, Lorraine Kasavi, Melanie Shalam and Laurie Dushey Staschover. The show and art exhibit were supported by a Chinese Auction, silent auction, and many participating sponsors including CVS.

This whole event was truly a celebration of the arts: Encore, Encore, Encore! Until Next Year.

Submitted by the Sephardic Community Center.

Dear Community Members,
Now that Encore ‘08 is finished we are already planning for ‘09. On August 25, we had auditions with a great turnout.

Four years ago, we presented to you a show with 20 performers. This year we had over 75 fine artist participating in Encore. This program has a far reaching effect on us as well all the community. We are now planning to open Encore School for the Music and Arts in the Sephardic Community Center where everyone can get involved in learning the instrument of their choice.

We have already incorporated a state-of-the-art recording studio, which will include a separate vocal booth, drum booth and control booth. We hope to have up to 14 practice rooms with lessons in guitar, piano, drums, voice, cello, saxophone, flute and violin.

To help raise the level of many performers we will be offering coaching to bands, as well as advanced musical technique for adults, and children. At Encore, each person has an opportunity to show their talent but many artists want more, so we are launching an intimate concert series where we can showcase their talent in a small, warm and personal atmosphere.

Focusing on original compositions and creativity one can really thrive. To date, we have scheduled eight intimate concerts, which will take place this fall, on Saturday nights at the Sephardic Community Center. We invite all of you to join our world. Study voice, instruments, paint, draw, sculpt, write songs, poetry, comedy, produce films, videos, graphic arts, be creative in hair, makeup, scenery or fashion design, or simply dance your way into our hearts. Do not be afraid to start… let your creative juices flow… get involved. Thank You.

Submitted by Sheila Schweky, Sheila Mizrahi and Nadine Shalom.