OneBeat Balkans

Macedonian Mountain Song & Other Flying Tales from the Balkans

We’re excited to announce that the OneBeat Balkans Mixtape will be released on Thursday, July 18th. Above is screen shot from the upcoming video “Ka Se Zaljubile” or “When They Fell in Love.” Today, we are releasing “More Zablejala Vkla Ovca” (“Oh Dear, a Sheep Bleated”), a Macedonian mountain song that tells the story of a young girl who is anticipating the sacrifice her beloved sheep on St. George’s Day. The performance, led by Serbian vocalist Minela Bogdanovic, was captured via drone by Ora Dekornfeld in the Rugova Mountains in Western Kosovo, with additional help from Fisnic Dobreci. OneBeat Balkans is an initiative of the U.S. Department of State Department of Educational and Cultural Affairs, produced by Bang On A Can’s Found Sound Nation and Balkan Art Zone, with additional support from U.S. Embassy Pristina, Kosovo, U.S. Embassy-Tirana, U.S. Embassy Belgrade, and U.S. Embassy North Macedonia.
Alumni

Itau Cultural previews Livia Mattos’ Forthcoming Documentary

Itau Cultural previewed 2014 Fellow Livia Mattos’ forthcoming documentary ‘Musica No Circo’.  For the past eight years, Livia has been recording video interviews with circus workers, major names and obscure acts alike, throughout Brazil. Having began her own career as an accordionist and circus performer with the Picolino Company in her twenties, Livia has been especially sensitive to championing the histories of older entertainers. Following eight years of self-funded work, Livia received a grant from Itaú Unibanco in 2018 to finish the project. No release date has been announced yet, but the film is expected to be completed in the coming months. Watch an early trailer for ‘Musica No Circo’ below. 
Alumni

Las Cafeteras Share Video For “Tormenta”

Las Cafeteras have released a new video for their song “Tormenta”. The Afro-Mexican band from East Los Angeles features 2013 Fellow Daniel French on the jarana and vocals. “Tormenta” is a collaboration with the band Making Movies, who toured with Las Cafeteras earlier this year, and pays tribute to the strength of migrant families. The song illustrates the band’s ability to entertain audiences while also encouraging them to fight against intolerance, racism, and xenophobia. Watch the video for “Tormenta” below. Check out Las Cafeteras’ tour dates here.