THE BERKELEY BALKAN BACCHANAL- MAY 16

Posted on by
Reply


Please join us on the 3rd Thursday of every month for 3 local Balkan bands at an affordable price! Also, check out the great article in the San Francisco Bay Guardian.

THE BERKELEY BALKAN BACCHANAL
Thursday, MAY 16, 2013
Doors at 8:00pm, Show at 9:00pm
PLOVDIV PARTY BUS
MANO CHERGA
MWE
The Starry Plough (3101 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley)
Admission $8-12 sliding scale (support the bands yo!)
Questions? Contact us here!

One of the great things about the Bacchanal is that the 3 band format gives us an opportunity to try out new bands and side projects, such as Aya Safiya’s “Duo Nisiotika” last month. This month we’ve got another new ensemble, this time from the BBB’s “Most Valuable Player,” Greg Jenkins. Greg plays clarinet in Agapi Mou, MWE, and is director of Fanfare Zambaleta, and in a BBB first, Greg will be playing in ALL THREE bands! His latest project is Plovdiv Party Bus, a Bulgarian ensemble that will surely kick off the party.

Made up of veterans of numerous Bay Area folk dance bands (including Medna Usta, Voluta Vox, Verna Druzhina, Percy Shelley & The Balkan Appliances, Staro Vino, and Agapi Mou) exploring the music of Bulgaria, Macedonia, Greece, and the Romani people of the Balkans. It features Dena Bjornlie on gadulka, Mark Jenkins on percussion, Lisa Ekstrom on accordion, and Greg Jenkins on clarinet, and what’s more…everybody sings! Plovdiv Party Bus is brought to you by fond memories of traveling through the beautiful Balkans on buses full of singing and music.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………….

ManoCherga

Take Balkan Romani, traditional and popular tunes, apply swing, turn up the bass, don’t be shy on the snare and sing like this is the last song you will ever sing. Ladies and gentlemen, we welcome you to The Mano Cherga Band experience. Growling of the tuba, wailing of the accordion, spring reverb on the semi-hollow, clinking of the glasses, wind from the skirts on the dance floor, sweat running down your back, a smile on your lips and tears in your eyes.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………….

MWE

MWE is on fire! With some new players and coming fresh out of the studio, this has the makings of an epic set!  MWE plays traditional Turkish and Balkan songs with the rarely paired clarinet and the double-reeded zurna.  Add a saxophone and a Davul, a shoulder slung marching drum, and you’re about the closest to heavy metal you can get without amplification. As a result, their shows are loud, wild and raucous affairs known for drawing entire audiences on their feet in one song or less. Although their new cd will probably not be ready, you’ll get a preview of their latest material!

…………………………………………………………………………………………………….