Shaare Shamayim presents Neil Berg's PIANOMEN - a musical tribute to Billy Joel & Elton John - May 21, 3:30 pm

Philadelphia, PA—Congregations of Shaare Shamayim welcomes the greater Philadelphia community to its Arts, Music & Dance Festival, May 17-21, 2017, featuring fun activities and learning opportunities for all ages. Exciting events over the five-day festival include lectures, demonstrations and painting with world-renowned artist Mordechai Rosenstein, and multi-generational Israeli folk dancing with international expert RAK-DAN (Don Schillinger). The Festival concludes with Neil Berg’s PIANOMEN, a musical tribute to Billy Joel, Elton John and Broadway, on Sunday, May 21 at 3:30 pm; Rosenstein will also be honored at this event. All Festival programs will be held at Shaare Shamayim, 9768 Verree Road in Northeast Philadelphia. Most events require advance registration at www.shaareshamayim.org. Festival tickets and information are also available at 215.677.1600 or office@shaareshamayim.org.

Award-winning composer, lyricist and producer Neil Berg is the creator of Neil Berg’s PIANOMEN and Neil Berg’s 100 Years of Broadway, the #1 Broadway touring concert in the United States. He has written and composed numerous musicals for off-Broadway and regional theatre, including The Twelve, which won the 2015 HENRY award for best new play or musical, and The Prince and The Pauper, which ran for two years in New York City. Neil has also composed and scored music for two feature films. Among his many recognitions, Neil received the 1995 Bistro Award for Best Musical for his show Asylum in the Night, a revue of his theater music. In Neil Berg’s PIANOMEN, he celebrates the music of Billy Joel and Elton John, along with songs from Broadway’s biggest hits. Reserved tickets for this popular musical revue are $36 per person for General Admission or $54 each for Premier seating. Patron tickets at $118 each include front row reserved seating and dinner with Festival honoree Mordechai Rosenstein.

Elkins Park (PA) resident Mordechai Rosenstein has created Jewish art for private estates, synagogues and organizations around the world since 1979. Often interpreting letters of the Hebrew alphabet with vibrant colors and flowing lines, Rosenstein’s vivid art unites his interest in Judaica and painting, giving contemporary meaning to the art of Hebrew calligraphy. Rosenstein was a member of the first graduating class of Akiba Hebrew Academy (now Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy in Bryn Mawr, PA), and studied at The Philadelphia College of Art under Abstract Expressionist professor Franz Kline. His Festival artist-in-residency is funded by an Israeli cultural grant from the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia.

Arts, Music & Dance Festival at Congregations of Shaare Shamayim May 17-21, 2017

EVENTS SCHEDULE: ALL WELCOME

WEDNESDAY, MAY 17

12:30 pm Mordechai Rosenstein presents The History of Creating Jewish Art; includes a Mediterranean Luncheon & adult coloring; $10.00/pp; advance reservations required.

6:00 pm Multi-generational Israeli Folk Dancing with RAK-DAN includes light refreshments; $5.00/adult; FREE for ages 21 and under; all ages welcome.

7:00 pm Art Becomes Me: a fascinating program with Mordechai Rosenstein; learn about the origins of Jewish art and the stories behind many works he has created for notable people including a Pope, Presidential families Clinton and Bush, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, violinist Isaac Stern, and other luminaries; light refreshments; $5.00/pp; advance reservations required.

THURSDAY, MAY 18

7:00 pm Pinot & Painting with Mordechai Rosenstein: enjoy wine and cheese as you create your own art based on the Hebrew alphabet; $15.00/pp; advance reservations required.

FRIDAY, MAY 19

10:30 am to 1:00 pm The Creative Open House with Mordechai Rosenstein; watch the artist at work as he creates an original painting for the collections at Congregations of Shaare Shamayim; FREE; observers MAY have the opportunity to add a brushstroke to the painting.

7:45 pm Conservative Friday Evening service followed by a festive oneg (desserts).

SATURDAY, MAY 20

9:00 am Traditional Shabbat service.

9:30 am Conservative Shabbat service.

Services followed by…

12:00 pm Lunch & Learn with Mordechai Rosenstein: The Art Within Shabbat $12.00/pp; advance reservations required.

SUNDAY, MAY 21

3:30 pm Neil Berg’s PIANOMEN—a musical tribute to Billy Joel, Elton John and Broadway! Tickets: $36 General seating/$54 Premier seating, reserve in advance or pay at door; $118 Patron tickets (include front row seat and dinner with honoree Mordechai Rosenstein) require advance reservations.

SPECIAL FESTIVAL DISCOUNT: $36 TOTAL for these FIVE events only – save $11.00 when you buy all five: Mediterranean Luncheon, Israeli Folk Dancing, Art Becomes Me, Pinot & Painting, and Shabbat Lunch & Learn.

Get tickets and information at www.shaareshamayim.org or call 215.677.1600 for personal assistance.