“Klezmer” is the combination of the Hebrew words “Klay” and “Zemer” meaning “tools of music” or instruments. It is a style of music influenced by Eastern Europe and Middle Eastern tones and has its deep origins in biblical times in Israel. 

Klezmer is Yiddish music that despite having suffered great losses in the Shoah is enjoying a renaissance and can be heard in a variety of settings all over the world.

The late 1970s "Klezmer revival" found root in Victoria in the mid-1980s, with the Original Balkan Jam band playing Balkan and Klezmer music at Pagliacci's Resturaunt Monday nights for many years.

Today, the Klezbians and Kvell's Angels keep Klezmer alive and well in Victoria.

Victoria is also home to the annual Klezcadia Festiva:, "A Safer Shtetl for Klezmer Music & Yiddish Culture, based in the beautiful Cascadian city of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, is a fully-hybrid festival and learning retreat that prioritizes the safe experience of immunocompromised and high-risk participants."