Alaev in the Family

A A A Comments (0) By Mary Beth Crain Thursday, Jul 26 2012

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Skirball Cultural Center

2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90049

Category: Museums

Region: Out of Town

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You could call them the Waltons of the music world. Or maybe Israel's version of the Von Trapps. They're the Alaev Family, and from Grandpa on down, they all perform the music of Central Asia, Turkey, Persia, Russia and Israel on the ancient instruments of these countries. There's 80-year-old patriarch and master percussionist Allo Alaev on the doyra (frame drum), with kids, grandkids and in-laws joining in on darbuka, alofon, cajon, kanum, Turkish, Bukharan and Armenian clarinets, violin and bass guitar. Originally from Tajikistan, the Alaevs immigrated to Israel some 20 years ago and have become famous for their "exuberant polyrhythmic drumming and party atmosphere." Delivering classical and traditional music with an infectious beat, wildly colorful traditional costumes and sensuous, soulful vocals, the Alaevs pretty much tear up the stage -- a place where they're evidently completely at home. And that's not surprising, considering most of them have been there since infancy. The Alaevs perform this week on the Skirball Cultural Center's Sunset Concerts series; come early to dine under the stars and visit the museum galleries, and when the music starts, nobody's going to stop you from singing and dancing along with the performers. Skirball courtyard, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., W.L.A.; Thurs., Aug. 2, 8 p.m.; free. (310) 440-4500, skirball.org.
Thu., Aug. 2, 8 p.m., 2012