Renowned Israeli Dance Choreographer Offers B’ham, NOLA Workshops

Shlomo Bachar, classic master choreographer of Israeli dance, will visit Birmingham and New Orleans next week and offer workshops.

A fifth-generation Sabra, Bachar has taught at universities and formed numerous dance theaters and camps. While in the Israeli army, he was in charge of an entertainment group that performed at the front lines. Shlomo became an actor and choreographer for the National Theater of Israel, Habimah.

After he came to the United States in the 1950s, he became the director-choreographer of the Hadarim Israeli Dance and Song Theater, which began performances in 1962. His Hadarim dance club featured weekly classes and open dancing in Los Angeles from 1969 through 1974. He also co-owned the Cafe Shalom dance club on Fairfax Avenue in Los Angeles through the 1980s. From the late 1970s through the early 1990s, Shlomo co-founded various dance camps on the east and west coasts, including Hora Shalom in Los Angeles and New York, and Dalia in New York.

In 2001, Shlomo joined other choreographers at the “50th Anniversary Gala Celebration of the Israel Folk Dance Festival, and the Israeli Folk Dance Movement in America” held at Hofstra University on Long Island, New York.

He choreographed the Dibuk for the Pasadena Playhouse in California, and appeared in television and movies. He has choreographed nearly 400 dances.

In Birmingham, he will be at the Levite Jewish Community Center Fitness Studio on May 29 at 7 p.m. There is no cost to attend; donations are welcome at the door. All ages are welcome.

In New Orleans, the workshop is presented by the Crescent City International Folk Dancers on May 31 and June 1, at the Starlight Ballroom on West Esplanade in Metairie, from 7:30 to 10 p.m. Cost is $10 per night, $15 for both. For more information, call (504) 810-7041.