After spending a delightful six days last summer getting to know Sarajevo, its atmosphere and people, I'm returning - and constantly learning more - through cyber-revisits. A Facebook post from a Bosniak I met last June reminds me that Ramadan just ended. Now is the three-day period known as Bajram, from the Turkish for 'festival.' Muslims in the southern Balkans (where the Ottoman Empire had the greatest influence on Europe) have family gatherings, exchange gifts, visit the graves of loved ones, give alms and, of course, eat. They also give thanks to God for granting them strength and self-discipline during the period of fasting.
Last year, I was there just as Ramadan was beginning. For a more thorough discussion, please see this link (from which I borrowed a couple of the above photos).
Additions to the Galloping Gypsy site: Music - I've added four videos, one old Gypsy-inspired classic, "Zigeunerweisen," the Gypsy anthem "Djelem, djelem" and two clips from my most recent headline act. Also please check the Events page, where I'm constantly updating the calendar--especially for local Eastern Shore of VA cultural events.
Live Aid at 30
During the first few summer weeks after my first year of college, I'd been anticipating Live Aid, the concert held at Wembley (London) and JFK (Philadelphia) Stadiums and linked by satellite. Billed as a global jukebox, it was organized mainly by Bob Geldof of the Boomtown Rats to raise funds for a famine-stricken Ethiopia. It featured some of the leading bands of the day, including a very spirited set by U2, complete with a crowd-diving Bono, and a reunion performance by Led Zeppelin (minus deceased drummer John Bonham, whose place was taken by Phil Collins and Tony Thompson).
My memory of all the events are growing foggy with the years, but I recall getting off work at noon and rushing to a musician friend's house for the marathon. There were moments when it seemed magic--technology bringing the world closer, Phil Collins taking the Concorde so that he could play in both London and Philly.
Now, when I look back at footage, things seem less ideal. The logistics of getting so many bands in succession on and off stage were daunting. Sound checks were often denied. But one group pulled off an amazingly crisp and polished performance--so good that Elton John burst into their dressing room afterwards, shouting "You guys totally stole the show!" That group was Queen.
They bounced onto stage full of energy, and soon Freddie Mercury had the crowd of 70,000 eating out of the palm of his hand, singing and clapping along. I recall one detail perfectly: the call-and-response routine: Eh-oh. What a way to draw your audience in.
Having recently rediscovered that Queen set on YouTube, I try to channel a bit of that spirit every time I get on stage now (even though I'm no Mercury and I don't do the Eh-oh). Performers can learn a thing or two from this clip about establishing a rapport with their audience by watching--and many critics argue that it was the best rock performance ever.
Judge for yourself...
Last year, I was there just as Ramadan was beginning. For a more thorough discussion, please see this link (from which I borrowed a couple of the above photos).
Additions to the Galloping Gypsy site: Music - I've added four videos, one old Gypsy-inspired classic, "Zigeunerweisen," the Gypsy anthem "Djelem, djelem" and two clips from my most recent headline act. Also please check the Events page, where I'm constantly updating the calendar--especially for local Eastern Shore of VA cultural events.
Live Aid at 30
During the first few summer weeks after my first year of college, I'd been anticipating Live Aid, the concert held at Wembley (London) and JFK (Philadelphia) Stadiums and linked by satellite. Billed as a global jukebox, it was organized mainly by Bob Geldof of the Boomtown Rats to raise funds for a famine-stricken Ethiopia. It featured some of the leading bands of the day, including a very spirited set by U2, complete with a crowd-diving Bono, and a reunion performance by Led Zeppelin (minus deceased drummer John Bonham, whose place was taken by Phil Collins and Tony Thompson).
My memory of all the events are growing foggy with the years, but I recall getting off work at noon and rushing to a musician friend's house for the marathon. There were moments when it seemed magic--technology bringing the world closer, Phil Collins taking the Concorde so that he could play in both London and Philly.
Now, when I look back at footage, things seem less ideal. The logistics of getting so many bands in succession on and off stage were daunting. Sound checks were often denied. But one group pulled off an amazingly crisp and polished performance--so good that Elton John burst into their dressing room afterwards, shouting "You guys totally stole the show!" That group was Queen.
They bounced onto stage full of energy, and soon Freddie Mercury had the crowd of 70,000 eating out of the palm of his hand, singing and clapping along. I recall one detail perfectly: the call-and-response routine: Eh-oh. What a way to draw your audience in.
Having recently rediscovered that Queen set on YouTube, I try to channel a bit of that spirit every time I get on stage now (even though I'm no Mercury and I don't do the Eh-oh). Performers can learn a thing or two from this clip about establishing a rapport with their audience by watching--and many critics argue that it was the best rock performance ever.
Judge for yourself...
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