Yid Vicious, LuLu Quintet, Szászka

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courtesy Yid Vicious

Yid Vicious in the great outdoors.

Yid Vicious

media release: October 24, 2026 Dan’s World Music Fest Features Three Live Bands

Three world music bands will be featured at Dan’s World Music Fest starting at 7:pm on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at the East Side Club in Madison, Wisconsin. As a World Music DJ on WORT for over 30 years, the late Dan Talmo always said, “Whenever you can, listen to WORT, and also go out and hear live music!” This evening of dance and world music is a tribute to Dan, an opportunity to give to WORT, and a chance to tap your feet and kick up a storm to great world music. The event is a WORT fundraiser being held in collaboration with Klez Fest Midwest.

First, you’ll hear Szászka, hailing from Minneapolis, specializing in Hungarian and Transylvanian dance house music.

Next, Madison’s LuLu Quintet, will play the sparkling French/Romany “hot club” jazz inspired by Django Reinhardt.

And finally, Yid Vicious, also from Madison, will feature its sophisticated yet whimsical version of Klezmer and Yiddish folk and dance music.

That’s Dan’s World Music Fest on Saturday, October 24 at the East Side Club. Tickets may be purchased at the door. All proceeds go to WORT.

more about Klez Fest

: Klez Fest Midwest (KFMW) is an annual music festival in Madison, Wisconsin, presenting great klezmer music as a living and evolving creative tradition. Launched in 2024 at the Mead Witter School of Music at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, the main festival takes place in the fall, with occasional events at other times of the year. Past performers have included Alicia Svigals (2024 headliner, the “queen of the klezmer violin”), clarinet superstar David Krakauer (2025 headliner), Laura Elkeslassy, Donald Sosin, and Kathleen Tagg, with band members including Aaron Alexander, Jim Guttman, Curtis Hasselbring, Jordan Hirsch, Will Holshouser, Michael Sarin, Ilya Shneyveys, and Leo Traversa. Klez Fest Midwest has also proudly presented Madison groups Yid Vicious, Kanopy Dance, Elm Duo, and Tsuzamen. In 2026, we are excited to welcome our headliners The Klezmatics, along with Fugu Dugu, the Nigunim Trio, and returning performers Yid Vicious, Tsuzamen and Elm Duo. Past KFMW events have included masterclasses, a dance performance, a film with live music, and a children’s concert.

Thursday, October 22

7:00 PM, North Street Cabaret, 610 North Street

Local band Tsuzamen and Chicago’s Fugu Dugu

Indie klezmer (Tsuzamen) and Balkan brass/klezmer soul/gypsy fire punk (Fugu Dugu).

FREE

Friday, October 23

7:30 PM, Collins Recital Hall, Hamel Music Center, 740 University Ave

SoundWaves: Music and Science Together

A Wisconsin Science Festival event. UW–Madison faculty explore the theme of “Origins” from a variety of perspectives in 15-minute talks directed at the lay audience, and The Klezmatics speak about the origins of klezmer and perform songs from their 40-year repertoire.

FREE but registration required here

Saturday, October 24

11:00 AM, Lee/Kaufman Rehearsal Hall, Hamel Music Center, 740 University Ave

Children’s Concert with Elm Duo

Klezmer for the whole family.

FREE

2:00 PM, Mead Witter Foundation Concert Hall, Hamel Music Center, 740 University Ave

Showcase Concert with The Klezmatics

For nearly four decades, The Klezmatics have brought their unique sound to audiences around the world—blending klezmer with jazz, gospel, punk, classical, Latin, and Balkan styles. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to hear the band free of charge in a great concert hall!

FREE

7:00 PM, East Side Club, 3735 Monona Dr

Dan’s World Music Fest

Dance party fundraiser for WORT celebrating world music DJ Dan Talmo, with Szászka (Hungarian/Transylvanian dance music), LuLu Quintet (French/Romany jazz) and Yid Vicious (Klezmer).

$20 Donation to WORT-FM

Sunday, October 25

4:00 PM, North Street Cabaret, 610 North Street

Nigunim Trio

The Klezmatics’ Lorin Sklamberg (vocals/accordion) and Frank London (trumpet/keyboard) with pianist Rob Schwimmer in a program of Yiddish Hasidic spiritual songs.

FREE