Well the peace talks might, or might not, be sputtering in other parts of the world. It seems the smallest, minorest differences--Pope vs. Patriarch, Coke vs. Pepsiarch, Dope vs. Cokey narc--get people all riled up & ready to tussle. But there is hope, brothers & sisters & siblings of indeterminate gender. I'm here to tell you of an as yet unheard of conciliation, a collaboration between three such disparate (yet unified in bootyshakinness) groups that it would scarcely even occur to any rational mind! And just wait until all three join forces on a tune, it's like when Rick Moranis, Dan Aykroyd & Bill Murray crossed the streams in Ghostbusters.

And then kick off your oversized shoes & rock out to the Brass Menazeri on our triumphant return (I know, I always say that about playing at Amnesia; it always feels like that!) to Sol's den of iquity (that's the opposite of iniquity, at least in my dictionary).

Plus: it's free! As part of the Mission Arts & Performance Project, aka MAPP. Which means we'll likely have some unexpected guests (and, well, honestly, there are a couple I'm expecting, myself, but you won't expect em cos I'm not telling!).

Featuring:

• Juliana Graffagna, vocals and percussion (former vocalist & music director of Kitka)

• Aya Davidson, violin and vocals (also of Kaladrios)

• Tom Farris, guitar and laouto

• Peter Jaques, clarinet and vocals (also of Brass Menazeri)

• Bill Lanphier, bass (also of Trio Mopmu, the Toids)

• Rumen Sali Shopov, percussion, tambura, bouzouki and vocals (renowned Bulgarian concertmaster)
  

Matt Moran's Slavic Soul Party! have melded fiery Balkan Brass, throbbing funk grooves, killer Gypsy accordion, and virtuoso jazz chops, to become NYC's official #1 brass band for Balkan Soul Gypsy Funk. SSP! makes new music out of the unplanned results of immigration, proximity, & globalization, pumping a strong Balkan brass sound through the filter of life in NYC's outer boroughs. SSP! celebrates the brand-new release of their fourth cd, Remixed, with an extensive US tour.

Oakland-based Brass Menažeri performs rousing, soulful tunes from the living tradition of the great Rom ("Gypsy") brass bands of Serbia, Macedonia, Greece & India, as well as their own Balkan-inspired original compositions. Their first cd, Brazen, released in 2007, is a shining example of traditional repertoire combined with new sensibilities and innovative arrangements from the hands and lips of American devotees.

The Brass Menažeri’s debut album Brazen showcases thrilling, inspiring Balkan Rom, Serbian & Greek Macedonian tunes with heartrending improvisations, lush vocals & all the infectious energy of our live performances. Brazen was produced by multiple Grammy winner Tim Boyle (Les Misérables; South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut; Team America).

Website: brassmenazeri.com

Pangéo is Seattle’s passionate ambassador of Greek & Southern Balkan music. With a taste for old-style dance music, its members are equally at home playing Epirot Greek mountain ballads & lively tunes from the Yugoslav & Albanian border areas. The rich, ethereal, driving sound of this virtuosic quartet, featuring clarinet, accordion, vocals, percussion & guitar, will transport you to another time & place.

Website: kyklosmusic.com/PANGEO

Best Crazed Gypsy Brass Band Dance Party (2008)

Kafana Balkan

Yes, this occasional Kafana Balkan party is pretty much the only crazed Gypsy brass band dance party in town, but that doesn't make it any less special. Where else can you find hundreds of swarthy men with dangling moustaches and pork-pie hats dancing with slinky ladies in diaphanous dresses and hot-pink hair? (Okay, besides a Joanna Newsom show.) Kafana Balkan also offers live, horn-driven mayhem from the likes of Brass Menazeri and Edessa, as well as everything from Balkan hip-hop to crazy Gypsy funk spun by DJ Zeljko. Plus, proceeds go to Hleb i Sir Cirkus, which puts on free circus workshops for refugee children in Kosovo. Seldom has getting drunk and being horny been so productive.

This is an outdoor, general admission event, with lawn seating at the front of the house, chairs set up in rear, and some picnic tables available. Children 6 and under are FREE, and there is a playground on site. These are family friendly events, and end no later than 10pm.

Doors open 6:15 for the general public, and 6:00 for subscribers. Concessions including beer, wine, sweets, and savories available for purchase.

Brass Menazeri's all-ages CD Release Extravaganza!

with

~ Afro-beat funk powerhouse Aphrodesia ~
~ DJ Zeljko of Kafana Balkan ~
~ & surprise special guests, of course ~

Come celebrate the fresh release of our second cd, Vranjski San: Vranje Dream with our pals from Aphrodesia & DJ Zeljko of Kafana Balkan! We're honored to be part of the Hornucopia Festival produced by Amnesia's Sol Crawford.]]>