Editor’s Note: Hanukkah Hullabaloo—the Brothers Lazaroff’s beloved Festival of Lights extravaganza—returns for its 15th anniversary on Saturday, Dec. 13 at 7:30 p.m. at the Grandel Theatre. This year, the Jewish Light is spotlighting the artists who help bring the Hullabaloo to life.
Music has been a big part of Joey Ferber’s life since he was 8 years old and took violin lessons.
“There are videos of me as a toddler with a toy guitar playing with my twin sister,” said Ferber, 32. “I started playing guitar when I was 11. I grew up hearing bluegrass at my house I would go to school and hear rap. Also, I was in the school jazz band. I was getting music from all angles.”
Ferber likely inherited his skill and love of music from his father Joel, an accomplished mandolin player. His first experience at Hanukkah Hullabaloo was as a guitar tech, tuning instruments for the artists. Now, he’s up on center stage with the Brothers Lazaroff. It’s one of his favorite annual events.
“Hanukkah Hullabaloo makes me feel like I get to tap into Jewish culture right in my hometown,” Ferber said. “It’s such a warm event and it highlights some of the best of what kind of Judaism has to offer, both religiously and sharing light.”
Each year, Hanukkah Hullabaloo proceeds benefit a local nonprofit institution or cause. That is a bonus, Ferber said.
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“I’m drawn to it for the fellowship and the music and the fact that it’s always going towards a good cause,” he said. “I believe for myself as a musician, how my own pursuit of music is able to be in service of other people,” he said. “It also hits on the question of what is our role in a broader society and how do we offer our contributions in terms of the place we live.”
Like most working musicians, Ferber is juggling several musical projects simultaneously. He plays alongside the hip-hop, soul and groove artist Blvck Spvde, who will also perform at this year’s Hanukkah Hullabaloo. Ferber also frequently collaborates with guitarist Farshid Etniko. He is currently working on an album with his friend and fellow University City High School alum Zach Morrow. Their duo is known as Joe2Morrow. He also is working on a folk project with Jewish guitarist-singer-songwriter Ian Lubar.
Buy tickets to this year’s Hanukkah Hullabaloo here.
