Local Bands Raise Funds for Musicians in Bosnia

by team indyish

Montreal - Tuesday, April 22, 2008

In a city like Montreal, it’s hard to imagine being without music. However, regions affected by war suffer damage to the arts and culture along with basic infrastructure. An upcoming concert organized by Montreal klezmer band Balebuste seeks to raise funds in support of music students and teachers in Mostar, Bosnia.

“There are fine musicians in Mostar, but resources to support them are very limited” says Emily Doolittle, a composer by profession who plays violin and oboe in Balebuste. Doolittle has travelled to Mostar three times as part of the “Projekt Savremene Musike” (Mostar Contemporary Music Festival), founded by American pianist Tim Dunne. Faculty of the festival work in conjunction with Mostar music teachers to present a series of free concerts and free composition, improvisation and instrumental lessons for children. She also collects used instruments to donate to the conservatories in Mostar. “Rebuilding after war is not just about bricks and mortar — it’s also about the arts, about things that make life joyful,” she says. Funds raised at this concert will be given to Mostar music teachers to enable them to provide scholarships for students in need.

Carolyn Shaffer, accordionist for Balebuste, also sees their band’s set as an opportunity to get people to hear and dance the sher, a Yiddish square dance once popular at Jewish weddings but little-known today. Avia Moore, a Yiddish dance teacher, will call the steps as the band plays the Philedelphia Sher.

Nirvus Rex, a primordial rock duo, will start off the night, followed by Lake of Stew, that rambling group of folks who fill the streets and stages of Montreal with their soulful stew of old-timey Americana and gorgeous vocal harmonies. Then, Nomandika will play some Bosnian songs. After Balebuste, The Fat Tuesday Brass Band will bring on the party with their marching band-iferous New Orleans-ified mix of old time Jazz and modern Funk.

The show takes place on Earth Day, Tuesday April 22 at Cafe Sarajevo, 6548 St-Laurent Blvd., corner Beaubien. Doors at 7:30pm, show at 8pm. Admission is $6-12 (sliding scale) and all proceeds go to music students and teachers in Mostar.

For more info contact Emily Doolittle, emilydoolittle@gmail.com, or Carolyn Shaffer, carolynariel@gmail.com. For music samples see www.myspace.com/lakeofstew, www.myspace.com/fattuesdaybrassband.