If three cantors walked into a bar in Tucson, would they sing mariachi? Probably not, but if three cantors walked onto a stage for a concert in Tucson, they would likely sing songs in Yiddish, Ladino, Hebrew and English. This is what you can expect at “An Enchanted Evening – A Jewish Music Concert,” on Saturday, Feb. 1, at 8 pm at the Berger Performing Arts Center in Tucson. Special guest, Cantor Ivor Lichterman, will be joined by Cantor Avraham Alpert of Tucson’s Congregation Bet Shalom (Conservative), along with Cantor Janece Cohen of Tucson’s Congregation Or Chadash (Reform). The evening will also feature DJ Sinai, a pianist and vocalist who is the music director at Temple Beth Sholom in Las Vegas, as well as the Tucson Christian Gospel group called The Gatekeepers and the Tucson Girls Chorus.
This promises to be an evening of musical enchantment. Carol Richelson, chair of the event, says Congregation Bet Shalom created the event because, “It is a nice way to get three cantors together to perform in a perfect venue with a huge auditorium. As a fundraiser for our congregation, with a variety of performers, it will be appropriate for the whole family, and we are honoring long-time Tucsonan Cantor Ivor Lichterman, who now lives and works in Toledo, Ohio. We welcome him back to Tucson for this inspirational performance.” Describing Lichterman, Alpert says, “I studied with him for five years when he was at Congregation Anshei Israel. He was a vital part of this Tucson community for over 20 years, and he left without a send-off. Many people miss him and want to share a special time with him.”
Cantor Avi, as Alpert is affectionately called by congregants, went on to talk about his close friend, DJ Sinai, who will also perform that evening. “He is a virtuoso. He can play anything in any key in any style at any moment, with or without music. Plus, he’s an outstanding vocalist.”
Rounding out the exciting program will be The Gatekeepers, a vocal and instrumental group that has performed at many Jewish events in Tucson. They sing in Hebrew and English including a moving rendition of “Hatikvah.” An added plus will be the Tucson Girls Chorus directed by Dr. Marcela Molina, who is a member of Congregation Bet Shalom.
Tickets are $36 in advance, $45 at the door and $36 for an after concert party, to be held on the stage. Reserved seats are $54.
For additional information or sponsorship opportunities, contact Carol Richelson, chair of the event, 520-548-0772, or Cantor Avraham Alpert, 520-577-1171 ext. 2. Tickets may be purchased through the website at cbsaz.org/concert, or by calling Congregation Bet Shalom, 520-577-1171 ext. 1.
