LEXI LANDSMAN

THE first-ever Sydney Jewish music festival is set to make a resounding splash at Bondi Beach later this year.

The inaugural Shir Madness festival will showcase an array of talent and styles, from klezmer and ladino to contemporary blues, jazz, folk, rock, world, reggae, rap and dance.

To be held in August, the event will feature more than 35 Jewish acts performing on four stages at the Bondi Pavilion, and the hunt is now on for suitable artists to appear on the bill.

Festival director Gary Holzman said: “I’ve always found it surprising that Sydney’s vibrant Jewish community has, for many years, held successful Jewish film festivals and writers festivals, but never an equivalent Jewish music festival.”

With home-grown talent such as Renee Geyer, Ben Lee, Lior, Monsieur Camembert and Tal Wilkenfeld having made their mark on the international scene, Holzman said he felt more effort was needed to support established and emerging artists.

“At the same time, there has been renewed interest in all forms of Jewish music from klezmer and Chassidic, to ladino and Israeli,” he added.

“With so much talent and musical activity, it seemed natural to put together a festival to showcase the best of Jewish music and Jewish musical performers to both the Jewish and wider Sydney community.”

The festival will kick off with a gala opening concert on Saturday, August 14, in the Science Theatre at the University of New South Wales.

Artists can apply online at www.shirmadness.com. The deadline for applications is February 15.