Credit: Courtesy of Yiddishe Cup
Yiddishe Cup, a Cleveland Heights-based klezmer band that’s been around for as long as we can remember, has changed its name to Funk a Deli and will now broaden its musical palate.

“I decided to change the band’s name because, after 30 years, I got a little tired of playing the same tunes,” says band leader Bert Stratton in an email announcing the change. “[Playing the traditional Jewish folk song] ‘Hava Nagila’ every weekend will kill you!”

The newly christened group, which plans to mix Klezmer and Motown, will play its first west side gig in 23 years when it performs at 8 p.m. on Saturday, March 3, at the Bop Stop.

This article appears in Jan 31 – Feb 6, 2018.

Jeff has been covering the Cleveland music scene for more than 25 years now. On a regular basis, he tries to talk to whatever big acts are coming through town. And if you're in a local band that he needs to hear, email him at jniesel@clevescene.com.