The second annual "Evening of Sevdah: the love songs of Bosnia and Herzegovina" will be held at 7:30 PM on November 29 at Town Hall, 8th & Seneca in downtown Seattle.  Inspired by the elation of last year's packed house, artists from Bosnia, Croatia, Serbia and America again find common ground in a performance of sevdah, the traditional urban music from Bosnia and Herzegovina.  The concert is presented by Sevdah North America and is one of numerous events taking place in Diaspora communities throughout North America as part of the 2nd annual "North American Days of Sevdah."  Tickets and information at:  http://www.eveningofsevdah.com.

Sevdah (meaning 'love' in Arabic) is often compared to Portugese fado, American jazz and Greek rembetica, in singers' soulful expressiveness.  Sevdah  reflects a refined Ottoman aesthetic birthed in the homes of 16th century Turkish merchants and begs in Bosnia.  Instrumental accompaniment in the concert will include traditional saz (long-necked lute originally from Persia), tamburica orchestra (mandolin-like family) accordion orchestra and modern piano interpretation.  A printed program will include translations of songs so all can enjoy the rich imagery, and historical and cultural references. Images from Bosnia will be projected during the concert and displays set up in the lobby to provide cultural context and add to the evening's nostalgia.

Among others, performers will include singer Gino Srdjan-Yevdjevich of Seattle's Kultur Shock, Mary Sherhart and Balkan Cabaret, traditional singer Rusmir Sacirovic from Portland and saz player Mirsad Zulic from Chicago.  Intergenerational by design, the concert will include two Bosnian children's dance groups in traditional dress, while older women in the Bosnian community will create cultural displays for the lobby.

Over 5,000 people from Bosnia and Herzegovina now live in the Puget Sound region (350,000 in North America), displaced from the violent break up of former Yugoslavia in the early 1990's.  They have worked hard and accomplished much in the past 15 years.  Now immigrant and refugee communities are being hit hard during this period of economic downturn.  As Bosnians face the stress and uncertainty of possible job and home loss, perhaps being forced to relocate yet again, their traditional music gives needed emotional support and unity to this fragile new community.

Artistic and managing director Mary Sherhart is a 2006 recipient of the Artist Trust/ Washington State Arts Commission Fellowship, traditional arts category.  Ms. Sherhart is President of Sevdah North America, serves on the UW Department of Slavic Languages and Literature Advisory Board, and records, performs and teaches extensively in Europe and North America.

This concert is made possible by generous support from Seattle Peoples Fund, City of Seattle Office of Arts & Culture, 4 Culture. Ethnic Heritage Council and private donations.  The University of Washington Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures has endorsed this event. 

Sevdah North America is a non-profit organization formed in early 2007 to promote and sponsor educational activities which honor, preserve and celebrate sevdah, foster understanding and respect for all peoples through music, and link North American communities to Bosnia and Herzegovina.    www.sevdahnorthamerica.org

Town Hall
8th & Seneca
Seattle, Washington