Balkan Party MTL

I was invited by DJ Touski to attend the monthly Balkan Party MTL (next one is March 24th) at Divan Orange, the last one on Feb. 17th, 2017 hosted the local band Shukar Roma. I was very impressed, very spirited and energetic, these extremely talented musicians kept the listeners on their toes dancing.

 Friday the 17th of February, 2017. Dan Armeanca - Sukar Roma

Shukar Roma is comprised of Dan Armeanca, Sergiu Popa  & Mohamed Raky. Shukar Roma means ‘le superbe gitan’. In Romania Dan Armeanca is a famous musician and known for writing his own music. His songs are used in films like Gadjo Dilo. I am told Mohamed Raky is the best darbouka player from Canada (he has lived here for many years) but is originally from Morocco.

 Sergiu was kind enough to answer a few questions I had about their performance.  I asked about what made them decide to make Montreal their home base, as opposed to their home countries?

Sergiu Popa  & Mohamed Raky

"Montreal is a very rich city in different communities & musicians, so seems more like a factory of artists, and that attracts lots of musicians from around the world. In my case, I arrived in Montreal in 2002. There is quite an interesting story on my website: www.sergiupopa.com."

I was very interested to know more about the music played that night. It was explained to me that it was a mixture of composed songs, traditionals and music created live on the spot. The language they were singing in is of the Roma People, which Sergiu was quick to clarify is not to be confused with Romans or Roma Italy, or with Romania. The roots of Roma language is hindi & sanskrit. The Roma are also known as Gypsy, Gitane, Cigany, or Gipsy but Sergiu said that the correct name is Roma.

Most of the music they played on Feb. 17th at Balkan Party MTL was very spontaneous, with alot of music being composed live. "....its mostly based on traditional music which already exists, but its cooked and baked on the spot, the speed, the arrangement, the interpretation, the beat can be changed on the spot, regardless the original tune."

Of the songs they played, some were chosen because of the powerful symbolism, & are well known music in the Balkan countries. Their set included Sao Roma song, (know also as Erderlezi) Chayoriye Shukariye which means "nice girl" (this is a famous song in their home countries), Gelem-gelem which translates to "lets go, lets go!" (describing hitting on someone, an invitation). 

"....lots of these tunes retell a story of course! Chayoriye is about a beautiful girl with dark eyes. Gelem gelem is about Roma people who passed through the holocaust and many other tragedies, discrimination, etc. We did some of Dan Armeanca's compositions which are : Zale Dumbale, Zale Dumbale, Yag Bari, etc. Dan's most popular songs would be : Sao Roma, Chayoriye Shukariye."

"In Roma Community most of the music its made on the spot. Often this could be the way musicians are feeling, or it could be well known music, but in a different style, or beat. Roma musicians will change it on the spot, so this is very typical to Roma musicians, they manipulate the musical instruments very well." - Sergiu Popa

Every Balkan Party MTL hosts a live  band followed by dance sets & visuals provided by DJ Touski & DJ Khalil. The next Balkan Party MTL is March 24th, 2017, not to be missed! Come out and shake your booty! Find them on facebook!

BALKAN PARTY MTL avec Roma Carnivale

DJ KHALIL
DJ TOUSKI
VJ KOSHKA

DIVAN ORANGE - 21:30

Vendredi le 24 mars prochain, le Balkan Party MTL reçoit le groupe ultra festif Roma Carnivale!!! Ces bêtes de scène nous reviennent avec leurs rythmes déchaînés comme tu les aimes! Dj Touski et Dj Khalil vont s’assurer que tu passes une soirée des plus festoyantes avec leurs meilleurs beats venus de l’Est.

VENDREDI 24 MARS – 21:30

ROMA CARNIVALE

Gypsy- Folk
***https://www.facebook.com/romacarnivale
***https://romacarnivale.bandcamp.com/

Roma Carnivale joue la musique Gitane dans la tradition Serbe inspirée du punk et du jazz. Leur énergie brûlante sur scène a captivé des publics du Québec jusqu’à New-York. Ils ont joués dans le cadre de plusieurs festivals prestigieux comme le Festival de Jazz de Montréal, le New-York City International Gypsy Festival et le Festival du Bout du Monde. Mené par le chanteur/compositeur d’origine Serbe Dusan Dukic, leur ensemble insolite comprends un tuba, un ukulele, un accordéon, un violon, une trompette, un trombone, une guitare, une batterie et 3 chanteurs/chanteuses! Leur objectif avoué: célébrer la beauté de la vie et vous faire danser!

Roma Carnivale plays Gypsy music in the Serbian tradition, inspired by punk, jazz. Their blisteringly energetic live performances have captivated audiences across Quebec and New York. They have played at prestigious festivals such as Montreal International Jazz Festival, The New York City International Gypsy Festival and Festival du Bout du Monde. Led by Serbian-born singer/songwriter Dusan Dukic, their unconventional lineup includes a Tuba, ukulele, accordion, violin, trumpet, trombone, guitar, drums, and 3 singers. Their goal is to celebrate the beauty of life… and make you

PARTY!!!

DJ TOUSKI
***http:///www.soundcloud.com/touski
***http:///www.balkangypsyparty.com/touski
***http:///www.facebook.com/touski

DJ Touski est le fondateur et DJ résident des soirées Balkan Psrty MTL qui enflamment Montréal depuis maintenant plus de 6 ans maintenant. Il propose un mélange explosif de la meilleure musique Gypsy des Balkans et au delà. Il a participé à plusieurs évènements culturels dont le festival international de jazz de Montréal, Festival Pop Montréal et Coup de Coeur Francophone, Les Rythmes du monde de Saguenay, L’Écho fête de TroisPistoles, Musiques du bout du monde de Gaspé, Le Festif de Baie St-Paul, Les nuits festives au Palais Montcalm à Québec et autres évènements à travers le Québec. Il a également joué avec certains des plus gros noms de la scène Balkan Beat Européenne. ( Balkan Beat Box, Mahala Raï Banda, Slavic Soul Party, Max Pashm, Dunkel bunt, Al Lindrum..) DJ Touski promet de faire danser les plus résistants sur ses beats venus de l’Est.

DJ KHALIL
*** https://soundcloud.com/khalil-m
Co-fondateur et dj résident des soirées Speakeasy électroswing Montreal, Sidi Khalil est maintenant un incontournable Dj du world 2.0 à Montréal. Participant à plusieurs événement et fesitvals depuis plusieurs années, il ne te laissera aucun répit durant cette soirée et ce, à ton grand plaisir!