Tomorrow the official kick-off of the annual Gypsy fete with Gabby Young & Other Animal’s return to New York on Thurs, Sept 9. From klezmer hip-hop to flamenco funk, Balkan blues to circus swing and indie-pop there is a little something for everyone at the 3-week festival this time around. Drom in downtown Manhattan is gearing up to host all of the shows under one roof this year and you can still buy $45 festival passes here or join our Facebook page where we will be giving away a few festival passes starting tomorrow!2011 FESTIVAL SCHEDULE:
GABBY YOUNG & OTHER ANIMALS from the UK
Celebrating The Release of “We’re All In This Together”
on Friday, September 9
Eccentric eight piece British band Gabby Young and Other Animals heralds the arrival of the 7th annual NY Gypsy Festival. Gabby Young embodies a major emerging force in modern music – an unconventional fusion of global influences combining pop and folk with hints of Balkan brass, blues and jazz from an aural antiques shop in a century yet to come. Join her circus that she inhabits and check out the wonders of her world. MORE INFO >>
· Klezmer, Hip-Hop & Folktronica featuring
SOCALLED from Canada
Album Release Concert for “Sleepover”
on Saturday, September 10
Montreal-based SoCalled is a pianist, producer, composer, arranger, rapper, singer, journalist, photographer, filmmaker, magician, cartoonist and puppet maker. This concert, which celebrates the release of “Sleepover,” further articulates this great artist’s mission to cross boundaries, mix old and new sounds, acoustic and electric instruments, while exploring different cultures and styles, such as folktronica, electro-funk and klezmer. MORE INFO >>
· A Night of Tarantella Rhythms & Dance featuring
CANZONIERE GRECANICO SALENTINO from Italy
* US DEBUT *
with special guest ALESSANDRA BELLONI
on Thursday, September 15
The foremost and longest standing traditional music band from Salento in Puglia (in Southern Italy),Canzoniere Grecanico Salentino brings together passion, rhythm and mystery with a touch of the past. With a range from the energetic pizzica pizzica, to the tenderness of songs of love and longing; from the festa like exuberance of a local band to an ironic glance towards modernity, Canzoniere will show a piece of history of Italian world music in their US debut alongside special guest Alessandra Belloni. MORE INFO >>
· Flamenco Funk & Gypsy Polka featuring
FREAK FANDANGO ORCHESTRA & CARAMELO from Spain
on Friday, September 16
Caramelo‘s musicians & dancers unify the music and dance of the streets of New York City and Seville creating a vibrant theatrical experience bursting with life and passion aptly called “Flamenco Funk.” The Freak Fandango Orchestra hail from the multi-kulti city of Barcelona and play an explosive mix of folk, polka, gypsy and punk-rock. A high-energy double bill from Spain not to be missed. MORE INFO >>
· Balkan Klezmer & Russian Tangos featuring
ROGER DAVIDSON AND FRANK LONDON KLEZMER ORCHESTRA
+ THE KLEZMER BRASS ALL-STARS
CD Release Concert for “On The Road of Life”
on Saturday, September 17
A collaboration between two master musicians, Davidson and London‘s music draws from a broad range of sources including Hungarian music and Israeli folk songs, English country dances, Balkan rhythms and tango. Frank London, trumpeter, bandleader, and the album’s arranger and producer adds, “On the Road of Life” represents the sound of klezmer distilled through Roger Davidson” – a fusion of the highest order. MORE INFO >>
· Balkan Blues & Roots featuring
CSABA TOTH BAGI from Hungary/Serbia
CD Release Tour for New Album “Aved Ivenda”
on Sunday, September 25
Rootsy blues and jazz with a touch of the Balkans by talented guitarist Csaba Toth Bagi, who has been a long time member of renowned guitarist Al Di Meola’s touring band. Adds legendary drummer Dave Weckl, “It’s always inspiring and a treat for the ears to hear influences from many cultures … [Csaba’s] sound is rich, his playing is great.” MORE INFO >>
· Indie-Pop meets Eastern Folk featuring
A HAWK AND A HACKSAW
DARK DARK DARK
PILLARS AND TONGUES
on Thursday, September 29
This triple bill features New Mexico-based A Hawk And A Hacksaw, whose music is inspired by Eastern European, Turkish and Balkan traditions, Dark Dark Dark, an American chamber folk band from Minneapolis known for their blend of New Orleans jazz, Americana, Eastern European folk and indie pop sensibilities and Pillars and Tongues, “psychedelic, free-jazz, chamberfolk-jamms; a kind of soul-searching free-music or celestial cinema.” (Foxy Digitalis) MORE INFO >>
