Sat 5/2 @ 6:30PM
Immerse yourself in the sounds and culture of Eastern Europe at the Gypsy Fantasy concert taking place at the Slovenian National Home. Two bands will join musical forces for the event: Cleveland’s Harmonia and Pittsburgh’s Gypsy Stringz, along with guest cimbalom player, Chicago’s Alex Udvary. With two violinists, two cimbalom players, tamburica musicians and vocalists (11 musicians in all), they’ll play music from all around the Carpathian Basin, including Hungary, Slovakia, Romania, Ukraine and the neighboring regions, which came to the U.S. in the late 19th and early 20th century during waves of immigration from that part of the world. They’ll be replicating a concert they’ve previously performed in Pittsburgh and are now bringing to Cleveland.
“This music tells stories of migration, resilience, longing, and celebration,” says Harmonia’s artistic director Walter Mahovlich. “It is music that lives in the heart — passed from one generation to the next — and we are honored to share it with new audiences.”
Doors open at 6:30pm; the concert runs from 7:30-9:30pm. That’s followed by a reception with live music and dancing starting at 9:45pm Traditional Hungarian food and a full bar will be available for purchase. Advance tickets are strongly recommended, although they will be available at the door. Go here to get them.