sunday/28
Adama. Ensemble group performs Israeli and Jewish world music for dancing. Dance lessons with Bruce Bierman. At Ashkenaz, 1317 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley. 7 p.m. lessons, 8 p.m. open dancing. $12. www.ashkenaz.com
sunday/11
Sweet sounds of Sephardic spiritualism. Ladino-language vocalist Rivka Amado, a lecturer and Judeo-Spanish music expert, will be backed by a small band at a concert titled “An Evening of Sephardic Music and Piyyutim.” Piyyutim are Jewish liturgical poems, usually sung or chanted. B’nai Shalom Cantor Risa Wallach will join Amado for a duet, and afterward there will be a reception with Sephardic food.
7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11 at Congregation B’nai Shalom, 74 Eckley Lane, Walnut Creek. $12, children free. RSVP to (925) 934-9446. www.bshalom.org
thursday/1
“L’Chayim! To Life!” Second annual Jewish music series at Sonoma State kicks off with concert of sacred and folkloric Near Eastern music by S.F.-based Qadim Ensemble, led by multi-instrumentalist Eliyahu Sills. At Sonoma State, Schroeder Hall, 1801 E. Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park. 6:30 p.m. Free, parking is $5. www.tinyurl.com/ssu-jewishmusic