Voice of Roma Herdeljezi Romani Festival

Saturday, May 3, Ashkenaz Music & Dance Community Center

1317 San Pablo Ave. Berkeley, CA

Fanfare Zambaleta

Stevens Family “Gypsy Boys”

Songs of Šaban Bajramović 

Rumen Sali Shopov & Balkan Ensemble Meraklii

7:30 pm-midnight: Ticketed concert program

6:30 pm: Free dance workshop

5:30 pm: Free panel discussion

1- 4:30 pm: Ticketed workshops

Join us for Herdeljezi Festival,  Voice of Roma’s annual springtime celebration of Romani music, dance and culture. Featuring daytime workshops, the festival culminates in an evening concert and dance party. A free panel discussion with the artists covers the human rights of Roma communities amidst shifting political climates. Afternoon workshops for brass musicians, percussionists, dancers and singers are offered to festival goers, also at Ashkenaz.

Please note that  Dzambo Agusevi, our headliner, had to cancel due to a family health emergency.  Fortunately, we have plenty of performers and teachers already lined up for our festivities.

Fanfare Zambaleta (roughly meaning crazy street party with brass) is an eight piece Balkan Brass band specializing in spirited music of the Serbian, Macedonian, Bulgarian, Greek and especially the Romani people. Combining a love of the classic brass bands of the past with the modern sounds coming out of the Balkans, Fanfare Zambaleta brings an irresistible blend of old and new to get you dancing! They've learned from some of the greats including Demiran Ćerimović, Džambo Aguševi Orkestar and Nizo Alimov (of Kočani Orkestar) and are now embarking on a new journey to write original tunes inspired by their deep love of the music.

Full Schedule:

Afternoon Workshops:
1:00-2:15 pm: Drum workshop with Rumen Sali Shopov

2:30-3:45 PM: Singing workshop with Carol Silverman and Sani Rifati

4:00-5:15 pm: Brass workshop with Benji Rifati and Greg Jenkins

Evening Program:
5:30 pm: Free Panel Discussion with artists and Voice of Roma representatives
6:30 pm: Free Dance workshop with Šani Rifati

7:30 pm: Balkan Ensemble Meraklii with Rumen Sali Shopov
8:30 pm: Songs of Šaban Bajramović with Šani Rifati, Marco Ghezzo and Dušan Ristić

9:30 pm: Stevens Family “Gypsy Boys”

10:30 pm-midnight: Fanfare Zambaleta

Tickets:

General: $30 presale, $35 at door

Students: $25 presale, $30 at door

Workshop registration (cost per session):

General: $20 presale, $25 at door

Students: $15 presale, $20 at door

Contact festival production manager Peter Bonos <peterbonos@gmail.com> for further information, including volunteer opportunities.
Copresented by Berkeley Balkan Bacchanal. Funded by ACTA. Graphic design by Jenette Selin.