Gypsies invade New York, bring with them amazing music
Enough with the fortune-telling cliches, yes?
Patti LuPone: A decidedly different kind of Gypsy
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Gypsies. The subject of much lore, fear, and confusion—think organ grinders, caravans, and petty theft—they make up an ethnic group (the Romani) that most folks don't know much about, but which has a major presence across Europe and Asia and an artistic legacy that deserves wider acclaim.
Luckily, people are starting to catch on, and expunge any memory of terrible 1996 film Thinner from their minds. That disaster involved fortune-telling, curses, and Joe Mantegna—none of which should be present for the fifth annual New York Gypsy Festival, which begins on Sept. 11 and runs through Sept. 26. Of particular note are some cool-sounding concerts: Arcade Fire/Yeah Yeah Yeahs/Antibalas side project Sway Machinery performs on a tall ship on Sept. 12, and Rhythm Of Rajasthan is playing Symphony Space on Sept. 26. The latter act is composed of traditional players from the Indian region of Rajasthan—folks whose caste determined their careers as musicians. Here in America, it's usually just folks trying to disappoint their parents.
All of which is to say: Check this out. Full details can be found at the festival's website here.
