.png)
Folklorama’s Israeli Pavilion, Shalom Square, invites you to immerse yourself in the vibrant rhythms, rich traditions, and joyous spirit of Jewish culture through the electrifying performances of Chai.
The second week of Folklorama is underway, bringing 26 new pavilions and fresh cultural experiences to Winnipeg. Among these perennial favourites is the Israeli Pavilion, known as Shalom Square, located at 123 Doncaster St. on the Asper Jewish Community Campus. For over six decades, one group has been a cornerstone of this pavilion’s entertainment: The Sarah Sommer Chai Folk Ensemble, a dynamic ensemble of dancers, singers, and musicians who celebrate Jewish culture through vibrant performances.
Classic 107 recently welcomed Chai’s co-artistic directors, Jesse Popeski and Sarah Sommer, to talk about the ensemble’s rich history, diverse cultural roots, and the magic behind their shows.
A Legacy Founded by Family
Despite sharing a name, Sarah Sommer the co-artistic director clarified that Chai is not named after her personally but after her grandmother, Sarah Summer, who founded the group nearly 61 years ago.
“The group was actually founded by my grandmother, 60... almost 61 years ago now. Her name was Sarah Summer. And so after her untimely passing, the group took on her name to kind of, in memorial or to honour her. And I am also named after her,” Sarah explained.
Starting with just eight young dancers rehearsing in a basement to a record player, Chai has grown into a professional-quality ensemble that performs live with music and tours internationally.
From Guitar Player to Co-Artistic Director
Jesse Popeski joined Chai about ten years ago as a young guitar player eager to perform. Through community connections, he became involved and gradually took on more responsibilities.
“I joined the group about 10 years ago and started just as a guitar player... It was David Vamos at the time who was playing piano and singing in the group and was a director of the group. He brought me into the fold. And gradually I took on more roles in the music department as a music director, as the director of the band and then took on directing with Sarah a few years ago.”
Reflecting on 60 Years of Community
Last year marked a major milestone for Chai with a 60th-anniversary concert at the Club Regent Event Centre. Alumni returned to perform alongside current members, creating a multi-generational celebration.
Jesse shared what struck him most: “It was putting all these faces of various generations from the early 2000s to the late 80s beyond putting these faces to the names that I’d seen on all these handwritten scores for 60 years of music, so that was very cool.”
Sarah added, “It was almost like a one big family reunion. It felt like... we all had in common this immense passion and joy and love for the art and for our culture and community and the way that... that thread kind of united us all together.”
The Magic of Collaboration on Stage
Though the musicians, singers, and dancers often rehearse separately, in the weeks leading up to performances a unique energy emerges when all parts come together.
“There’s like a certain kind of magic that happens in those few weeks leading up to the big shows where we all put everything together for the first time... I always find people, myself included, just like staring in awe, listening and awe to what these other people are doing because we have so many talented people... professional quality,” Sarah said.
Celebrating the Jewish Diaspora Through Music and Dance
Chai’s performances draw inspiration from a wide variety of Jewish cultures around the world, reflecting the diversity of the diaspora.
“We’re going to do some Yiddish related numbers... we have a separate piece of klezmer music choreographed by our own current dance director. It’s a pure band feature with dancing and a couple band members being danced around,” Jesse shared.
Sarah added, “We have pieces specifically in our shows this week representing Yemenite Jewish tradition and Moroccan Jewish tradition, as well as many, many others... Because of our history of being scattered to all corners of the earth, we get these beautiful influences in the culture and in the music and in the dance...”
For both Jesse and Sarah, it is crucial to represent the stories and traditions of the many Jewish cultures authentically.
“Our music and dance is a way to tell our stories. We want to be authentic to the stories of our people and our culture and just be authentic to who we are as a whole,” Sarah said.
What Audiences Can Expect
When asked what they hope audiences will take away from the Chai performance and pavilion experience, Jesse emphasized learning and inspiration.
“I hope they enjoy a great show and a great meal and I hope they feel like they’ve learned something... maybe found something that they want to explore further, get to know more about.”
Sarah expressed a hope for connection and mutual understanding:
“I think just making pure authentic connections with people... We’re all human and we all have things to celebrate and to share. I’m hoping that they’ll find some beauty or some inspiration through our culture and kind of generate that mutual understanding between people.”
Looking Forward to Folklorama
Step into Shalom Square at the Israeli Pavilion this Folklorama and experience Chai—a dazzling celebration of Jewish culture that’s equal parts history, passion, and artistry. With breathtaking dance, soulful music, and vibrant storytelling, Chai offers more than just a show; it’s an unforgettable journey through the rich tapestry of the Jewish diaspora. Whether you’re seeking inspiration, connection, or simply a fantastic evening of entertainment and community, this pavilion promises to leave you uplifted and eager to return year after year. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this extraordinary cultural experience!
Chai performs this week at the Israeli Pavilion, Shalom Square, at 123 Doncaster St. during Folklorama. Don’t miss the chance to experience this lively tribute to Jewish culture and multiculturalism in Canada.