EDERLEZI Balkan-Roma Brass Festival 2016

May 13 & 14, 2016

7pm doors and dance lesson. Show 8pm

The Legion

2205 Commercial Dr.
Vancouver, BC

5 LIVE BANDS – 2 DANCE TROUPES – DELICIOUS FOOD AND LIBATIONS! 1 Festive Celebration!
Plus Daytime Balkan Music Workshops May 14!

Caravan World Rhythms is partnering once again with Vancouver’s Orkestar Slivovica and Transformation Projects to present a weekend of the most energetic and unique brass bands one can imagine. The tradition of brass bands as celebration music comes from regions of Serbia and Macedonia, and it is now sweeping the Western world!  “Ederlezi” is a Spring festival, especially celebrated by Roma minority people in the Balkans and elsewhere in the region, including Turkey, marking the beginning of Spring.

Ederlezi will also play host for the 3rd year running to the ever popular Serbian Trumpet Master and Guca Festival award winner Demiran Cerimovic. He is returning this year from Serbia to guest perform with each band, and lead Vancouver’s Orkestar Slivovica!

Combining the best of Eastern scales and rhythms with indigenous folk melodies, pounding drums and bass and insanely ornamented Roma-influenced playing techniques, this music has universal appeal like no other!  The festival would not be complete without Balkan food and drink specialties being on offer during the event!  Plus a free Balkan dance-workshop at 7pm each night.

This year’s featured bands (both nights) include:
– Fanfare Zambaleta (San Francisco)
– M9 (Seattle)
– Host band Orkestar Slivovica (Vancouver)

Dance Groups include:
– Grdina Serbian Dance Troupe
– Bhangra Dance Group

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BALKAN MUSIC WORKSHOPS!
May 13 & 14, Legion Hall

FRIDAY MAY 13:
7:30 pm-8:00 pm:  Dance workshop led by Nada Putnik and members of Gradina Serbian Folk Dancers. Live music by Zlatna Mountain! Included with ticket for show. No maximum number, no reservation necessary, just show up!

SATURDAY MAY 14:
12 noon-1:30: Tapan drumming. (Demiran Cerimovic). This is for people who have never played the 2-headed bass/tenor drum before. All you need is some basic rhythm sense! Bring a 2-headed bass drum and stick if you have one. $16, maximum 10 students. Some loaner drums for $5 extra.

2:00-3:30: Balkan Brass band. (Demiran Cerimovic) Learn a balkan tune in the authentic South Serbian style. Reed instruments, accordions, and drums welcome. Check with organizers for other instruments. $10, maximum 30 students.

4:00-5:30: Balkan Romani singing (all levels).  (Demiran Cerimovic). Technique, pronounciation, and stylizations. $12, maximum 20 students.
(hall closed 6 pm to 7 pm for evening concert preparation)

7:30 pm-8:00 pm:  Dance workshop led by Nada Putnik and members of Gradina Serbian Folk Dancers. Live music by Grupa Dunbarov! Included with ticket for show. No maximum number, no reservation necessary, just show up!

To Reserve/Register, go to www.brownpapertickets.com
For any questions, send email to orkestars@gmail.com

Instructors:

DEMIRAN CERIMOVIC is an award winning trumpet master from Serbia. He leads the brass band “Vranjski Biseri” and his family has been playing Roma wedding and popular music for generations. As band leader he is proficient in all the instruments in his band, and he is also a very talented singer. Demiran is also an extremely gifted and patient teacher.

NADA PUTNIK has been teaching Serbian and other folk dances for many years. She is leader of the dance group “Gradina”.