Fringe! Productions, in association with the Malta Tourism Authority will be presenting Gypsy Mambo, the Macedonian gypsy brass band who, for the second time in Malta, at the Orpheum Theatre in Gzira for a carnival dance party on 28 February.

The exotic band, hailing from Kocani, is a traditional set-up of nine members with the unmistakeable sound of Balkan brass bands, typical of the area and first presented to western audiences through the films and music of Emir Kusturica and Goran Bregovic, the likes of, Time of the Gypsies, Underground, and Black Cat White Cat. The popularity and infectious music played by these brass bands has become a global trend due to their crowd appeal and high-energy music.

This so called ‘Roma Oriental’ is a fierce mix of powerful brass bands, incredible Balkan rhythms and oriental solos where raw virtuosity and boundless energy are the fuel that keeps the crowds off their seats. Most bands would play at weddings and traditional feasts for days on end, sometimes playing 15-hour sets!

Balkan brass bands have a significant gypsy character, and from western Serbia to Macedonia they are amazingly creative in changing the original rigid style of traditional brass bands.

Gypsy Mambo was created over a decade ago, in the legendary Macedonian town of Kocani, east of Skopje. All members come from well-known gypsy musical families with a long-standing tradition and play foremost traditional Roma and Balkan music.

The orchestra has participated in prominent European festivals including Khamoro in Prague and perform regularly in Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Serbia and Montenegro and their native Macedonia. Gypsy Mambo has released 2 CDs and is considered as the master in their style. Their repertoire consists of traditional songs as well as the Bregovic classics and original tunes. Their trance inducing arrangements are unique, due to the mix of brass instruments and percussion.

Their local appearance at in Malta will be a fancy-dress, theme dance-party based on Emir Kusturica’s movie Underground. The venue for the event is the stunning ex-theatre and deco cinema Orpheum , central and accessible in Gzira. Guest appearance by electronic artist DANJELI.

Keep an eye out for this unique, one-off opportunity to party Balkan style, in the coolest of underground venues.

Dress up to your character of fancy from Emir Kusturica’s movie ‘Underground’, get your dancing shoes and come stomp to the unrelenting and unforgiving unza-unza style of the Roma-oriental style and brass tunes of Balkan pickle.

The concert is being produced by Andrew Alamango, Alba Cauchi and Branko Radojevic.

The concert will be held on Friday 28 February, doors open at 8pm, at the Orpheum Theatre, Sir Patrick Stuart Str, Gzira.

Early bird tickets are at €15, while the door price will be at €20.

For online ticket sales visit www.ticketline.com.mt.  For more ticket information call 99840896/99161453

Also visit Facebook  events - Gypsy Mambo Underground at www.facebook.com/events/647925711920249