Saturday 16 Jun 2007

CM ArtParty / Western Union main stage, Bernie Spain Gardens, South Bank, London SE1 9PP (near Oxo Tower)

Free admission

‘Pulse Festival’, the free, annual event that showcases Eastern and Central European music and culture alongside the best of up-and-coming British acts, will take place this year on on London’s South Bank, between 13.00-19.00.

Shukar Collective will perform at the Shukar Collective was born from the meeting of new generation musicians with the gypsy traditions of Shukar founders Napoleon, Tamango and Clasic. Shukar play Ursari music (ursar means ‘bear tamer’ or ‘bear handler’) using spoons, wooden barrels or darabuka to create a powerful and urgent sound that is at the same time emotional and soulful. Urban Gypsy combines Shukar’s original ursari music with the new technology of the collective, resulting in their distinctive sound.

The Shukar Collective idea came about after Lucian Stan (DJ Vasile) and Dan Handrabur heard some original Shukar tracks and saw them perform in a well-known Bucharest jazz club. The idea behind the project consists of re-orchestrating these fabulous folkloric pieces with current technologies, while preserving and even emphasizing the original aspect.

More details on www.pulse-festival.com.