Ukrainian Hall (Fairmount and Hutchison)
Saturday, April 9, 2022
Workshops: 1 pm-5:30 pm
Dance Party: 7 pm-11:30 pm
Join us on Saturday, April 9—the day after International Roma Day—
to celebrate the culture of the Roma
and to support the people of Ukraine
The Balkans are home to a multiplicity of ethnicities and cultures, and enormously rich in music, song, and dance.
Many of the master musicians and dancers from the Balkans are Roma, a people who have always been renowned for their artistry.
We are thrilled by the opportunity to welcome to Montreal as our guest teachers and performers: Nizo Alimov and his wife Bergen Alimova, both of whom are Roma from North Macedonia.
Workshops
In the afternoon, starting at 1 pm, Nizo and Bergen will lead two parallel workshop sessions: in instrumental music (Nizo), and in dance (Bergen).
Instrumental music:
All levels and instruments are welcome.
Those familiar with their instrument, with Balkan music, and with learning by ear will benefit most.
Nizo will teach some of the essential features—melodies, rhythms, ornaments, harmonies, and improvisation—of traditional Macedonian/Roma wedding music.
Instruction will be in English,
Dance
Bergen will present a variety of line dances popular amongst the Roma of her home city, Štip, and also illustrate the styling of solo čoček. Bergen speaks Balkaniko Romanes (also known as Balkan Romani), Turkish, and Macedonian. Yves Moreau and others will be on hand to translate into English and French, as required.
Song
During the third workshop period, Nizo will teach us all to sing the Roma anthem “Djelem, Djelem.”
Kafana
Our kafana will be open from mid-afternoon to the end of the dance party, with Balkan specialties prepared by chefs Bojan Mandić and Eli Camilo, and wine, beer, and slivovitz served by bartender Roger Gagné.
Dance Party
The dance party will start at 7 pm, It will feature:
Nizo’s Workshop Band playing a set of freshly learned Macedonian/Roma dance tunes
The Marunczak Ukrainian Dance Ensemble: a performance by young Montrealers of Ukrainian origin
Murmurosi: soulful a capella Ukrainian songs
Soleil Tzigane: traditional Bulgarian and Roma dance music from the Markov clan
ROMada, with our friend Montrealer-Moldavian-Roma accordionist Sergiu Popa, and featuring Romanian-Roma guitarist-singer Dan Armeanca
Nizo’s Wedding Band: The all-star highlight of the evening
Domaći Trubači, Montreal’s own Balkan Brass band
Leading dances during the dance party will be:
Bergen Alimova
Bojan Mandić
Yves Moreau
Jocelyne Vaillancourt
COVID-19 Protocol
Please stay home if you have symptoms, or recently tested positive for COVID.
We expect all participants to:
be fully vaccinated
wear masks (except when eating, drinking, playing a wind instrument, etc.)
use our hand sanitizer
respect social distancing practices (when possible)
We will assure adequate ventilation,
VENUE
SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE
We will donate the profits from this event to to the Ukrainian Humanitarian Appeal fund,
REGISTRATION
Please register and pay in advance. To do so, first submit the form below.
