Hydra, 13th Annual Rebetiko Gathering (4-7 October, 2013)

My pre-war 

6 string bouzouki.

So far I've missed all twelve of the annual gatherings, but others may well be both interested and able to participate. I had once planned to work this posting into a presentation, on Rebetiko and General Scobie. Alas, so far I have never got round to it. It needs much more research.

News from Ed Emery:


We are now finalising preparations for the 13th Annual Hydra Rebetiko Gathering. Our dates are Friday 4 to Sunday 6 October 2013, with the usual additional events on Thursday 3 October (jam session) and
Monday 7 October (in Athens).

This is our Facebook 'fan page':

www.facebook.com/pages/SOAS-Rebetiko-Band/171459402170

The band's websites can be found at:

www.youtube.com/soasrebetikoband

www.cdcarts.org/adhocrebetikoband/

We invite all musicians, singers, dancers, friends and fans of Rebetiko to join us in Hydra for this year's event. The SOAS Rebetiko Band will provide the core music at the Gathering.

We are also bringing other musicians from Greece and Turkey to join us.

There is no charge or registration fee for attending Gathering. However we might need to request a small payment for concerts and workshops, to cover musicians' travelling expenses.

If you plan to come, SEND ME AN E-MAIL, and I shall send you further details

of the programme. Write to: ed.emery@thefreeuniversity.net

Ed Emery
***

To finish, a poem from my book, Corfu Blues:


Memories of Asia Minor: Improvisation in a Minor Key


Don’t put down that old bouzouki,

Tsitsani virtuoso!

Explore all the roads,

Extend that taqsim,

Scatter the clouds

That darken each dream.



Take me back to the East

As I move further West.

Make the rhythm more heavy

To lighten my soul:

"We’re refugees all"

Your silver strings scream.



1983

(Note: Vassilis Tsitsanis died 18 January 1984, in a London hospital).



On Sotiria Bellou:


"Everything's a lie", she sang -

Then left; through one of life's two doors.



Last lines from poem "Bellou's Birthday Burial, 29 August 1997 (died 27/8/1997)"


These days my tastes have moved "Beyond Rebetika" - Check it out!