Contact: Michael Croland, 757-333-2051, MCroland@gmail.com
PUNK ROCK HORA: A JEWISH PUNK CELEBRATION
Local author launches new book with presentation, concert, and art exhibit
Brooklyn, New York (February 2019) – New York City–based author Michael Croland will give a multimedia presentation based on his brand-new book, Punk Rock Hora: Adventures in Jew-Punk Land, at the Brooklyn Jewish Art Gallery at CKI, 603 St. Johns Pl., Brooklyn, on Saturday, March 2, at 8 pm. The Jewish punk band Moshiach Oi! will perform—their first New York concert in over a year. The event is part of the monthlong art exhibit The Creative and Rebellious Energy of Jews With Guitars.
Michael Croland will give a multimedia presentation about Punk Rock Hora, chronicling his 13 years covering edgy Jewish culture. This book talk will include songs from a variety of Jewish punk artists to show how they’re using punk rock as a vehicle to express and embrace their Jewish identity. There will be a special focus on punk covers of «Hava Nagila» and hora medleys, as well as exciting hora stories, for a punk rock party vibe. For more information, go to PunkRockHora.com.
Moshiach Oi! are a punk rock band with an intense, larger-than-life sound—and a love of Torah. Founded in 2008, the group have released three albums discussing such topics as praise for G-d, Shabbat observance, and how Abraham was a punk rocker. Front man Yishai Romanoff appeared on the cover of Croland’s first book, Oy Oy Oy Gevalt! Jews and Punk (2016), and Moshiach Oi! were featured in the 2012 documentary Punk Jews. Check them out at MoshiachOi.com.
The Creative and Rebellious Energy of Jews With Guitars is a monthlong art show at the Brooklyn Jewish Art Gallery at CKI. It features two floors of original art inspired by Jews in Rock. This exhibition is curated by Max Gottfried and Fred Polaniecki. It consists of photography and original art. Learn more at Jews-and-Rock.webnode.com.
“Jewish punks use punk rock as art to explore their Jewishness in creative, against-the-grain, and personally meaningful ways,” Croland said. “I’ve been in the trenches covering Jewish punk for 13 years. I’m thrilled to share my adventures in Jew-Punk Land alongside Moshiach Oi! and as part of an art exhibit devoted to Jews and rock!”
Praise for Punk Rock Hora
“Very informative and fun-to-read book. Michael Croland has been following Jewish punk bands since 2005 and has been to many, many concerts and has gotten to know and to interview many musicians. He is an authority on the subject and eagerly shares what he knows.” —Reviews by Amos Lassen
“Very enjoyable! … I hope the author continues to write about this particular scene, not least because his writing style is very engaging. But if he doesn’t, the two books he has provided us with are absolute treasures!” —Goodreads