Site Move FAQs
Our 2024 venue is Dos bisele glik (Le P’tit Bonheur), a beautiful facility in the Laurentian Mountains. Dos bisele glik is situated on the shores of Lac Quenouille, surrounded by hiking trails, and has heated (!!) accommodation. With easy access to Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts and Montreal, the venue has operated as an outdoor leisure centre for over 60 years. We are excited to show you around: indoor and outdoor dining options, a variety of indoor and tented classrooms, comfortable common spaces, and a lakefront with swimming and boating.
Dos bisele glik offers a range of accommodation options. A limited number of private rooms with private bathrooms will be available to those who register early. All other rooms sleep 3-8 people, with bunk beds, cupboards in the room and shared bathrooms on each floor. We will be filling rooms to a comfortable capacity only. A few camping spots are available, including in “tree houses!” A full description of our accommodation options will be available when registration opens in April.
We are still working out the details of catering. This information will be available by the time registration opens in April.
Registration FAQs
2024 dates will be announced shortly! Stay tuned for more registration information.
We are still working out the prices for our 2024. This information will be available by the time registration opens in April.
Summer Retreat FAQs
We are still discussing our 2024 policy, but we continue to take the safety of our community very seriously.
Be prepared for everything. The days are generally quite summery and beautiful but Dos bisele glik/Le P'tit Bonheur is north of Montreal and the temperature can be much cooler than the city. Mornings can be chilly, evenings cold and nights positively freezing! Sometimes it rains. Sometimes it rains a lot. Then again, the weather is often gorgeous and the days are warm enough to go swimming.
It’s important to pack for both warm and cold weather when up at camp, as the weather in the Laurentian Mountains fluctuates considerably. While the weather during the day tends to be warm and can even get very hot, early mornings and evenings are often cool, and nights can be very cold. It may also rain, so prepare for all occasions, and bring both a rain jacket and sunscreen.
All indoor accommodations are heated this summer.
Participants can leave their instruments in their cabins (for those staying in indoor accommodations, all of which are heated) or can be left in the Foyer kitchen overnight to keep them from getting too cold.
Practice:
- Bring anything pertinent to your practice (i.e. your musical instrument!), sheet music, music stands, etc.
- Anyone with the intention of dancing (which should be all of you!) but especially those planning to attend the dance classes (which, again, should be all of you!) should bring comfortable shoes for dancing – flip flops are unacceptable dance shoes.
- We strongly recommend that students bring recorders (tape/minidisk/digital) in order to tape lessons and ensembles for later review. Don’t forget: extra batteries, a microphone, extra discs, cords, and chargers.
Rooming:
- Please bring your own sheets and bedding unless you have requested bedding (for a small fee) as part of your registration. Campers should plan to bring sleeping bags and bedding for very cold nights.
- Bring your own towels and toiletries (if you have requested bedding, you will be given one towel).
- Flip-flops for the showers
Clothing:
- There are no laundry facilities at KlezKanada. Please make sure that you bring enough clothing for the full week.
- We recommend that you bring warm clothing with you, especially as we will be holding as much programming outdoors as possible and opening windows for airflow. It can get VERY cold at night so bring a warm sweater, a toque (for the non-Canadians, that’s a ski-hat), a scarf, and warm shoes.
- Raingear (rainjacket, umbrella, rainboots)
- Despite the evening temperatures, the days can be very warm. You will probably want casual summer clothing for daily wear. Bring clothes that you can be comfortable in – think summer camp. Don’t forget sunglasses, sunscreen, a bathing suit, and sandals.
- Many participants like to dress up a little bit on Shabes. Not formal, but nice. Some may want to bring a kippah or hat.
Other:
- Masks, COVID-19 Rapid tests, and hand sanitizer. Please see our COVID-19 Safety guidelines here.
- Camera and extra film
- Earplugs (for sensitive ears during classes or concerts, for sharing cabins with roommates who might snore….etc).
- A flashlight for walking around camp at night is recommended
- A reusable water bottle and reusable coffee cup for warm beverages.
- Bug spray. There are often mosquitos buzzing around.
- Cash, if you plan to buy anything at the boutique (merch or tokens to buy drinks at the Cabaret bar)
Yes, it is. However, you won’t regret it when you have to run back to your room at 2 am. The temperatures have been known to drop to freezing during the night.
We are still working out the details of catering. This information will be available by the time registration opens in April.
Yes. Please make sure you have alerted us to this on your application.
Food may be kept in the accommodations, but cannot be brought into the kosher dining hall.
It is, of course, up to you how much money you bring with you to KlezKanada’s Retreat. We are still working out the details of the 2024 Boutique and evening bar. This information will be available by the time registration opens in April.
No, sorry – no pets.
There will be virtual orientations in the weeks before the 2023 Retreat and an Orientation at our 2023 Retreat. More details coming soon.
CANCELLATION POLICY: Registered participants who cancel before Friday, July 14th, 2023 will receive a full refund minus a $200 per person administration fee. Refunds after this date incur a $200 per person administration fee and an additional $250 per person fee to cover some of the committed costs to our vendors. No refunds or discounts will be given for non-arrivals, late arrivals, or early departures.
Find more information about what you need to enter Canada at this link.
Consult the participant-organized ridesharing form here.
If you are driving to KlezKanada, please do not arrive before 4 pm on the first day. We recommend that you arrive in time for dinner at 6 pm, as there will be orientations and activities in the evening from 7 pm onwards.
If you are new to your instrument or new to klezmer, consider taking our beginner’s classes and ensembles. This summer, there will be a "Beginners’ Orchestra" taught by Lorie Wolf for all beginning instrumentalists in AM1, as well as the “Formidable New to Klezmer Band” for experienced musicians new to klezmer in AM1, taught by Yoni Kaston.
We also highly recommend that you take a dance class each year, but especially in your first year. Our dance classes this year are open to all levels and are a fun way to learn the steps and style of Yiddish dance. Taking the class during the day will set you up to dance all night! As a musician, the dance classes are an important part of learning how to play for dancing.
The Kids Program is open to children ages 5-12.
Childcare possibilities are not yet certain at this time.
If you know in advance that you might miss class, please inform the instructor as early as possible. They will let you know if it is possible to make up for missed material. In general, if you are participating in a week-long workshop, we encourage you to stay and participate as fully as possible!
Schedule changes and announcements will be posted in key prominent locations throughout camp.
There is a map in your brochure with all of the workshop locations marked. Don’t be afraid to stop people and ask for directions to the class locations. There is also a shuttle service available to take you to your classes.
During the week, there are four workshop periods per day, two before lunch and two after lunch. There are multiple options in each period, including lectures, discussions, instrumental and vocal classes, performance ensembles, and more. There is usually a concert before dinner and after dinner, followed by dancing and the KlezKabaret. On Friday evening there is a special schedule, with the Backwards March, Shabes dinner, and evening events. On Shabes day, we offer fewer formal programs and all organized programming is Shabes-observant friendly. To mark the end of Shabes, there will be a havdole ritual, following which community members will get to enjoy or participate in the participant concert and the Retreat’s last late-night KlezKabaret.
Registrants may attend as many or as few classes as they choose. We ask that Azrieli Scholarship recipients attend a minimum of three classes per day.
It is impossible to partake in everything offered at KlezKanada. That said, it is up to you to structure your time. There are always plenty of opportunities for informal jam sessions and long talks outside in the sun. Shabes is, for the most part, left unscheduled.
Our Summer Retreat is located on a beautiful, clear lake. The lakefront is open at select times during the day (TBD). Please note that swimming is ONLY allowed when a camp lifeguard is on duty. This policy is strictly enforced.
There is a strict non-smoking policy within the camp grounds. There will be one area set aside for smoking (look for signs).
We try to create a Shabes atmosphere on Saturday. As individuals, you are free to decide on your own behaviour and activity; e.g. playing music, swimming, hobbies, lights in room, etc., while at the same time respecting the Shabes integrity in the public spaces.
KlezKanada aims to create a safe and healthy community for all ages. An emphasis is placed on creating a family atmosphere. The success of the Retreat relies on the responsible behaviour of all registrants, scholarship students and faculty.
Smoking is permitted ONLY IN DESIGNATED AREAS.
Responsible use of alcohol, cannabis, and other legal substances by adults of legal age is permitted and alcohol is served on the premises. However, we expect that those who choose to drink, will consume responsibly and with respect for and awareness of those around them. Please note that the legal age to consume alcohol in Quebec is 18 and the minimum age for legal cannabis use in Quebec is 21.
Illegal substances will not be tolerated. Reports of usage will be dealt with immediately by the program administrators.
Every year, our Retreat brings together a diverse crowd of people from Montreal, across Canada, and all over the world. We welcome Jews and non-Jews of all backgrounds, levels and modes of religiosity, ages, races, languages, and beliefs. We are committed to the work it takes to build a community that is ever more inclusive and equitable. (You can read our community guidelines here for more information).
The short answer is that if you come to our Retreat, then you're already a part of our community!
All participants are expected to conduct themselves in a manner which fits the goals of KlezKanada and the students themselves. In order to make our in-person and digital programs kind, inclusive, and safe spaces for all, please read our community guidelines.
KlezKanada designates an ombudsperson at our Retreat every year to give participants a safe space to speak about, monitor, and resolve problems.
The ombudsperson is able to act as a compassionate listener should you encounter any difficulties during the Retreat. The ombudsperson strives to provide neutral, objective support. They cannot provide legally binding advice, but they can give you options on how to proceed in particular situations.
We encourage you to reach out to the ombudsperson about any problems you may encounter, including, but not limited to interpersonal issues, or issues related to harassment, discrimination, personal discomfort, or safety. At the in-person Retreat, you may visit the ombudsperson during their designated office hours, which will take place in a safe and private location, or reach out to them personally during the week to arrange another time or place to meet. You can contact the ombudsperson directly by email at ombudsperson@klezkanada.org.
In order to make our Summer Retreat a kind, inclusive, and safe space for all, please read our community guidelines.
Year-round Digital Programs FAQs
The following tools and devices will help you participate fully:
A wired internet connection with an ethernet cable is recommended for optimal performance, but wifi will usually work fine.
A device that meets the Zoom system requirements:
Computers: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362023-System-requirements-for-Windows-macOS-and-Linux
Phones/Tablets: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201179966-System-requirements-for-iOS-iPadOS-and-Android
Headphones connected to your device. These may be needed for certain musical exercises.
A USB microphone will improve your sound quality tremendously, and can also be connected to phones/tablets using an adapter.
A music stand might be helpful
To maximize your enjoyment, take advantage of your resources and attend the tech orientation (please sign up in advance here). During the week, always leave extra time to get set up before each session in case of tech issues.
You can log into your classes early to make sure your connection is working.
If you'd like to get a headstart on Zoom, we recommend you peruse the materials made available on the Zoom website here.
Our music workshops are targeted at Beginners, Intermediate players, Advanced players, or everyone. Consider your technical skill and level of experience: if you don’t consider yourself a technically advanced musician but have performed Yiddish music publicly for years, you might consider an advanced workshop. In contrast, if you are a professional performer but new to klezmer, you might benefit more from an intermediate class, as it will cover more basic stylistics.
You will be provided with online access to the materials for the courses that you are registered for. Registering in advance will give you more time to review the class materials ahead of the sessions!
While all class sessions will be recorded for security and archival purposes, we are unfortunately unable to make recordings of classes and workshops available for distribution. Thank you for your understanding.
If you know in advance that you might miss class, please inform the instructor as early as possible. They will let you know if it is possible to make up for missed material. In general, if you are participating in a two-part workshop, we encourage you to stay and participate as fully as possible!
We understand the limitations of Zoom and other technologies and how this will change some of what happens in our classrooms.
With this in mind, our faculty and staff of expert artists, teachers, and creators have adapted their regular classes, workshops, and concerts to best meet the needs of this digital moment. While things may be different, we'll also take advantage of the unique capabilities these platforms offer, and we promise that your learning experience will still be rich and interactive.
If you want to record, screenshot, or photograph any part of a class you are participating in, please check with the instructor before doing so. Any recordings or photos you do make of classes may not be shared publicly without the permission of the instructor and other participants. The recording of concerts and performances is strictly prohibited.
While a basic version of Zoom is available for free, the more advanced version we are using–-as well as the other technologies that make this festival possible-–are subscription-based.
Your registration fee also helps us to pay our artistic faculty, performers, and staff. We keep registration fees as low as possible to make sure our programs remain accessible.
KlezKanada is a registered charity and non-profit organization. Our primary source of support comes from donations from community members like you.
The following policy applies to all of KlezKanada's online events unless otherwise stated:
All class sessions will be recorded from security and archival purposes. By taking part in our online events, you are giving KlezKanada permission to use audio/video recordings and/or pictures of you for archival, educational, or promotional purposes at a later date.
We are unfortunately unable to make recordings of classes and workshops available for distribution. Thank you for your understanding.
All the technologies that we use (including but not limited to Zoom and Google) have their own privacy policies that you are subject to.
Please check with your instructors before recording any class or workshop. Any recordings you do make must be strictly for private use.
The recording of films and concerts is strictly prohibited.
DO stay muted. Please stay muted unless you are called upon to speak. For example, a faculty member might ask you to introduce yourself at the beginning of a session.
DON’T be surprised if you are muted during a session. The meeting hosts have the ability to mute everyone. You can always hold down the space bar to briefly unmute yourself as needed. (Note: this does not work if your cursor is in the chat window).
DO raise your hand if you want to speak. You can click “raise hand” (located at the bottom of the participant list), and a little blue hand will appear on your screen. If you no longer want to speak, you can lower your hand.
DO be extra conscientious and careful not to interrupt or talk over other participants. Due to the time lag on Zoom, it is very easy to interrupt each other. Be sure to leave space for others to speak in group discussions. If you do find yourself speaking at the same time as someone else, why not invite them to speak after you are done?
No, it is not possible to connect to more than one Zoom session at a time. We ask that participants try to be fully present, especially in participation-heavy sessions. After all, "me ken nisht tantsn af tsvey khasenes" [you can't dance at two weddings at once].
You will be able to ask questions either out loud or through the chat function.
You can click “raise hand” (located at the bottom of the participant list), and a little blue hand will appear on your screen. If you no longer want to speak, you can lower your hand.
You can also type a question into the chat window. The instructor will make sure there is time to stop and answer questions.
For general inquiries, please reach out to us via email at info@klezkanada.org.
During the digital intensives or summits, our behind-the-scenes technical team will provide an orientation before the event begins. Come over and have your questions answered!
Azrieli Scholarship Program FAQs
The Azrieli Scholarship Program allows young artists and scholars of all backgrounds to attend KlezKanada’s annual Summer Retreat at a highly reduced rate. Through workshops, networking activities, jam sessions, and more, our program participants make life-long friends, find mentorship, and deepen their creative and intellectual practice.
Le Programme de bourses Azrieli permet à des jeunes artistes et étudiants-chercheurs de tous les milieux d’assister à la Retraite estivale de KlezKanada à un taux fortement réduit. Par des ateliers, des activités de réseautage, des jam sessions et de plus, les boursiers cultivent des amitiés durables, trouvent des mentors et approfondissent leur pratique créative et intellectuelle.
We invite applications in any field from candidates aged 18-36 who specialize in any field related to Jewish arts and culture. Candidates must provide a small portfolio of their work to apply.
Nous acceptons les demandes de candidats de 18 à 36 ans qui se spécialisent dans n’importe quel domaine de l’art et de la culture juives. Les candidats doivent fournir un court portfolio de leur travail pour postuler.
In-Person Retreat fee: $400 CAD
NOTE: The IN-PERSON scholarship fee of $400 CAD must be submitted by July 1st. This fee covers room, board, and full programming. Participants who have not paid the fee by the deadline will forfeit their spot to a participant on the waiting list.
Les frais pour la Retraite en personne: 400$ CAD
Les frais pour l'Intensif numérique: échelle variable, frais recommendés de 50$ CAD
Veuillez noter que les frais de 400$ CAD doivent être versés d'ici le 1er juillet. Ceux-ci couvrent le logement, la nourriture et la programmation entière. En cas de défaut de paiement à la date limite, la demande sera annulée et la place offerte à un autre étudiant en liste d’attente.
Applications should be submitted by filling out the online application form here. Candidates must provide a small portfolio of their work to apply. The scholarship deadline has passed. We are still accepting applications but they will be added to a waitlist.
Les candidatures doivent être soumises en remplissant le formulaire de candidature en ligne ici. Les candidats doivent fournir un court portfolio de leur travail pour postuler. La date limite des bourses est passée. Nous acceptons toujours les candidatures mais elles seront ajoutées à une liste d'attente.
This internationally renowned program offers participants an opportunity to study with the leading teachers of klezmer music, Yiddish song, language, dance and theatre, and Jewish history, literature, and culture, at a highly reduced rate. Many past scholarship recipients have launched successful careers and returned to KlezKanada as faculty members. Participants also become part of a tight-knit cohort, forging connections that last long after the week of the Summer Retreat.
Ce programme est reconnu mondialement et offre aux étudiants une opportunité d’étudier avec certains des meilleurs professeurs de la musique klezmer et de la chant, la danse, la langue et le théâtre Yiddish, ainsi que de l'histoire, la littérature et la culture juive. Plusieurs boursiers précédents ont piloté des carrières exceptionnelles et sont retournés à KlezKanada comme professeurs. Nos boursiers font partie d’une cohorte soudée et établissent des liens professionnels et personnels qui durent bien après la fin de la Retraite.