A Tribute to Leonard Cohen

Shtetl on the Shortwave Organizes a Cohen-Cover Morning

For those who can’t wait for Leonard Cohen’s homecoming performances next week—or can’t afford tickets to see the crooning poet live—his music will be performed by local musicians at one of the artist’s favourite eats, Bagel Etc.

Bagel Etc. is a frequent stop for Cohen during his homecoming visits, located across the street from his Montreal home. The restaurant is the host of the tribute show that will broadcast live on Shtetl on the Shortwave, Montreal’s alternative Jewish arts and culture radio show.

“When I saw that Leonard Cohen was going to be performing in Montreal, I knew right away that it was important for us to do something about it,” said Tamara Kramer, host and creator of Shtetl on the Shortwave and shtetlmontreal.com, an online alternative Jewish arts and culture magazine.

“I thought it would be so much fun to get different Montreal musicians to cover his music, in a way to kind of communicate with him,” she said. “As a big admirer of Leonard Cohen and somebody who would never really knows how to get in touch with him, it’s my way of reaching out to him and paying homage to him.”

The showcase will feature singer-songwriter Katie Moore, country-folk musician Li’l Andy, Inuit-raised pop singer Elisapie and psychedelic-rock band Adam and the Amethysts. Other performers include folk-poets Dear Criminals, diatonic harmonica master Jason Rosenblatt of the klezmer band Shtreim—and some surprise guests.

Shtetl on the Shortwave airs every second Friday at 11:00 a.m. The radio show is inclusive to all Jewish denominations and has featured interviews with progressive journalist and host of Democracy Now! Amy Goodman, electro-pop artist Peaches, humourist and radio host Jonathan Goldstein and prominent members and artists of the Jewish community.

A Shtetl on the Shortwave Tribute to Leonard Cohen / Nov. 23 / Bagel Etc. (4320 St. Laurent Blvd.)/ 11:00 a.m.

Shtetl on the Shortwave airs on CKUT 90.3FM