The Hellenic Foundation for Culture
presents
Rebetiko: Folk-Roots Music from Greece
22 - 25 June
School of Oriental and African Studies [SOAS]
Thornhaugh Street
London WC1H 0XG
[Tube: Russell Square]
"From about the 1850s, in the side streets of Asia Minor's Smyrna the popular quarters of Istanbul, the back alleys of the port of Syros and the working-class areas of Athens, Piraeus and Thessaloniki, not to mention the United States... a new music began to be created: popular song and the style of song that we now call rebetiko... During the past twenty years all the main exponents of rebetiko – the heirs of the singers and composers – have died. They have left behind a wealth of recordings, which are slowly being collected and catalogued by rebetologists. In the meantime new generations of singers and players are emerging, to keep tradition alive..."
[Songs of the Greek Underworld, Saqi Books, London 2000]
The 2005 edition of our REBETIKO SUMMER SCHOOL AT SOAS is made up of several modules. Participants can either book for the whole course, or for individual days, depending on what suits their individual needs. To register, e-mail rebetiko@soas.ac.uk or phone 0795 755 6352. A registration form will be sent to you.
Programme:
Wednesday 22 June (afternoon):
A Masterclass on the Violin in Greek Popular Music. This will be presented by KYRIAKOS GOUVENTAS from Thessaloniki. The workshop will include a general presentation as well as instrumental technique, and is suitable for musicians and non-musicians alike.
Thursday 23 June (all day):
A One-day Conference entitled “HOMAGE TO MARKOS VAMVAKARIS”, to celebrate the anniversary of the birth of the “father” of Greek Rebetiko music.
Guest speakers will include:
NIKOS POLITIS of Athens, speaking about “Musical censorship in Rebetiko: a case involving Vamvakaris and Tsitsanis”.
ED EMERY of London, presenting sections of the new English translation of the autobiography of Markos Vamvakaris.
HARIS SARRIS of the University of Athens, on “The ‘Aegean Sound’ of Markos Vamvakaris”.
Thursday 23 June (evening):
A film showing and Rebetiko concert.
Friday 24 June (morning):
Introduction to the SANTOURI and KANONAKI in the popular music of Greece.
Friday 24 June (afternoon):
Dance workshop on the ZEIBEKIKO, led by LOULA KAILAS
Saturday 25 June (all day):
Instrument and vocal workshops:
Bouzouki, percussion and voice. Working on a zeibekiko of Markos Vamvakaris and a song of Sotiria Bellou.
Followed by an Evening Mini-Concert by workshop participants.
The Saturday workshops will cover some of the basic elements of Rebetiko – namely Rhythm, Dance, Lyrics, Performance and Instrumentation.
The Rebetiko Summer School is open to all levels, from beginners upwards.
REGISTRATION:
The registration fee for the full course is £45 standard, £20 oncessionary/student, which covers attendance at all sessions and events. One-day tickets are £15 standard, £7 concessionary/student.
Admission to the Vamvakaris Conference is free, but donations will be invited from non-Summer School participants.
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