Voice of Roma partners with The Kitka Institute to present a full day of participatory workshops in Romani ("G*psy") singing, instrumental music, and dance lead by this year's featured Herdeljezi Festival artists.

SESSION 1: 12noon-1:30pm
Balkan Romani Percussion w/Rumen "Sali" Shopov
Romani Strings with Marco Ghezzo

SESSION 2: 1:45pm - 3:15pm
Balkan Romani Singing with Carol Silverman
Romani Accordion with Matthew "Mateo" Tweten

SESSION 3: 3:30pm-5pm
Mahala Dances with Sani Rifati
Balkan Brass and Reeds with Benji Rifati and Sal Mamudoski

Tuition for each workshop is a $20 donation with no one turned away for lack of funds. If you are able, please consider a more generous pay-it-forward donation to support a low-income musician or dancer's participation in these special educational events.

A $45 donation grants the ticket holder admission to a full day of workshops. Sing! Dance! Drum! Play! Learn!

Pre-registration is strongly encouraged.

Be sure to check out Voice of Roma's Friday evening, May 3 Festival Program which includes a free Romani dance workshop with Sani Rifati, followed by a free dialogue with Romani artists, and a dance party featuring live music by Kel-Mo!, Meraklii featuring Rumen "Sali" Shopov, and Kali Orkestar featuring Benji Rifati and Sal Mamudoski. Tickets for the Friday Herdeljezi program can be purchased at ashkenaz.com/full-calendar#/events. A full festival pass ($50), which includes all Friday and Saturday activities is also available through the Ashkenaz link.

Voice of Roma promotes presents Romani cultural arts and traditions in a way that counters both romanticized and negative "Gypsy" stereotypes, and in so doing, to contribute to the preservation of Romani identity and culture. Learn more.

Voice of Roma's 23rd Herdeljezi Romani Festival is supported, in part, by a Civic Arts Grant from the City of Berkeley.