About this project
The Other Europeans is a band of 14 jaw-droppingly great klezmer (Yiddish) and lautar (Gipsy/Roma) musicians from 8 countries, created and led by Alan Bern. We've been invited from more than 700 applicants to play at the 2011 WOMEX in Copenhagen, by far the most important international trade fair for World Music. This is our breakthrough chance to connect with agents and festivals who can bring our music to audiences throughout the world.
The purpose of this kickstarter campaign is to make possible our WOMEX/CD launch on October 27, 2011. It covers our travel costs to WOMEX in Copenhagen and lodging while there (for 14 people) and final production costs of the double-CD we'll launch at our showcase (for final mixing, mastering, graphics, packaging and production).
About The Other Europeans: we're the first contemporary band whose roots go back to a real but little-known, pre-WWII community of Jewish and Gipsy musicians in Bessarabia (Moldova today). A rare European example of music transcending ethnic differences, klezmer and lautar musicians played and lived together for more than a century before being torn apart by war, holocaust, immigration and assimilation. The Other Europeans restores this shared heritage for the 21st century with music that is heartbreakingly beautiful and astonishingly virtuosic.
Originally an EU-supported project, after more than three years of ethnographic research, rehearsals and concerts in Europe and North America, we are passionately committed to continuing to make music together. The only problem is: our EU funding is over, and it's almost impossible in this economy to finance a 14-piece band whose members live in Moldova, Bulgaria, Hungary, Great Britain, France, Germany and the USA. That's why we're so energized by the invitation to the 2011 WOMEX, THE place to be seen and heard by festivals, agents and publicists who meet once a year to discover and promote new talent. To complement the showcase, we'll be releasing our long-awaited, live double-CD, including never-before-heard tracks featuring Petar Ralchev, Kalman Balogh, Adrian Receanu, Matt Darriau, Mark Rubin and more!
If you are one of the thousands of people who have heard The Other Europeans live in concert, then you know how great this band is - I don't think there's a band on Earth that plays with more heart, soul and virtuosity - and you know how important it is for people to see and hear us live to "get it." We hope you'll help us have a shot at a future that fulfills the promise of our great beginning by contributing whatever you can to help support our WOMEX/CD launch. Thank you!
FAQ
Have a question? If the info above doesn't help, you can ask the project creator directly.
138
Backers
$10,971
pledged of $10,000 goal
0
seconds to go
Funding Successful
This project successfully raised its funding goal on September 25, 2011.
Pledge $20 or more Pledge $20 or more
You will receive a download code for the new double-CD.
Pledge $50 or more Pledge $50 or more
You will receive: i) a copy of the new double-CD, ii) a DVD containing fascinating video footage of the band's 2009 research trip to Edinets, Moldova.
Pledge $100 or more Pledge $100 or more
You will receive: i) a SIGNED copy of the new double-CD, ii) a DVD containing fascinating video footage of the band's 2009 research trip to Edinets, Moldova, iii) AND your name will be included as a Friend of The Other Europeans on our website.
Pledge $250 or more Pledge $250 or more
You will receive: i) a SIGNED copy of the new double-CD, ii) a DVD containing fascinating video footage of the band's 2009 research trip to Edinets, Moldova, iii) the Brave Old World Live Concert DVD and two other CDs by band members of The Other Europeans (your choice) iv) AND your name will be included as a Supporter of The Other Europeans on our website.
Pledge $500 or more Pledge $500 or more
You will receive: i) two SIGNED copies of the new double-CD, ii) a DVD containing fascinating video footage of the band's 2009 research trip to Edinets, Moldova, iii) the Brave Old World Live Concert DVD and four other CDs by band members of The Other Europeans (your choice) iv) AND your name will be included as a Donor to The Other Europeans on our website.
Pledge $1,000 or more Pledge $1,000 or more
You will receive: i) four SIGNED copies of the new double-CD, ii) a DVD containing fascinating video footage of the band's 2009 research trip to Edinets, Moldova, iii) the Brave Old World Live Concert DVD and four other CDs by band members of The Other Europeans (your choice), iv) backstage access to any concert of The Other Europeans through 2012 iv) AND your name will be included as a Patron to The Other Europeans on our website.
Pledge $5,000 or more Pledge $5,000 or more
You will receive all of the rewards listed under the $1000 pledge, AND: The Other Europeans will play a private, 1-hour concert in your home, apartment or other private facility in any city where we are also playing a public concert.
Project By
Has not connected their Facebook account.
The Other Europeans was created in 2008 as an EU-funded project of Yiddish Summer Weimar in partnership with the Jewish Culture Festival in Krakow and the KlezMore festival in Vienna. Conceived and directed by Alan Bern, The Other Europeans is a project that unites scholarship, musicianship, and social vision. Our transcultural roots go back to a real historical precedent; the little known, multi-ethnic community of Jewish and Roma musicians who lived and worked together from the 19th - mid-20th centuries in Bessarabia (present-day Moldova) before being torn apart by war, Holocaust, immigration and assimilation. The band reclaims that heritage for the 21st century.
The Other Europeans has performed throughout Europe and North America. Our band members are: Alan Bern (US/Berlin, director, piano, accordion); Kalman Balogh (Budapest, cimbalom); Dan Blacksberg (Philadelphia, trombone); Paul Brody (US/Berlin, trumpet); Marin Bunea (Kishinev, violin); Matt Darriau (New York, clarinet, flute, saxophone); Christian Dawid (Berlin, clarinet); Csaba Novak (Budapest, bass); Petar Ralchev (Plovdiv, accordion); Stas Rayko (Ukraine/Berlin, violin); Adrian Receanu (Moldova/Paris, clarinet); Mark Rubin (Austin, bass, tuba); Guy Schalom (UK, drums); Adam Stinga (Kishinev, trumpet). Please see www.other-europeans-band.eu for individual biographies.
