Erika Gerson is a long time folk dancer with particular interest in Balkan and Greek dance. Erika began playing percussion for Balkan Folk music in 1989 when she first attended the Balkan Music and Dance Seminar in Mendocino, California. These days she plays in two bands in Vancouver, Musiki Parea and Grupa Dunbarov, as well as the group that accompanies the Vancouver Turkish Choir.

Erika’s workshop is aimed at beginners in drumming for Balkan music. We will work on some basic technique concentrating on dumbek/tarabuka and frame drums. We will spend some time on how to hold the instruments, how to get the different tones on them and how some of the common rhythms are counted and broken down. We will also collaborate with the singing workshop, so will concentrate on the rhythms for the songs that they will learn and will end the session by accompanying the singers. There will be a few extra drums to borrow, but if you have access to one, please bring it along.

Local singer Laura Blumenthal has been involved in Balkan/Greek/Turkish music for many years. She currently sings and plays mainly Greek music with Musiki Parea in Vancouver. She is also a hobby linguist who speaks six languages and is learning a seventh.  Her main musical passion since the early 80s has been Greek music of a variety of genres.

Laura will be leading the singing workshop on Saturday afternoon for singers of all levels. We will learn two Greek songs, Siko Horepse Koukli Mou (taught by Roberto Bagnoli as Tsifteteli Tourkiko) and I Bratsera (taught by Lee Otterholt as Paraliakos).  If all goes well, Laura’s students will have the option to sing along with the band on Saturday night as they perform both of these songs.

Note: Laura and Erika play and sing together in the local band Musiki Parea.