Djangofest Athens Gypsy Jazz festival 2015

The time is approaching for 6th Djangofest of Athens! In 16, 17, 18 October 2015 our known djangofest, returns to grove of Lampedonaas in Byron, carrying all his actions in his luggage!

This year, the participation of the groups is greater than any other year, with many and varied parallel activities for children and adults, music and dance, three days of celebration with free admission!

Since 2010, when the first Djangofest in Athens took place on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the birth of Django Reinhardt, 6 years have passed, and now Djangofest is one of the largest open festivals in Athens, eagerly and impatiently awaited by many every autumn!

Within these 6 years, it has managed to embrace and be embraced by an ever-growing audience, to give gypsy jazz music its place in the artistic reality of our country, to highlight musicians and bands, dancers, to be heard on the radio, and to get the press involved with it.

And above all, to prove that such efforts are possible, completely self-created and self-organized, when there is a spirit of solidarity and volunteerism, enthusiasm, passion, appetite and stubbornness!

So, in spite of these difficult times but at the same time with enormous appetite and joy, choosing once again the beloved venue of Lampedona because it perfectly characterizes and completes the image and form that we all had in mind for the festival from the beginning, we are setting our new date for October 16, 17, 18 under the shade of the pine trees and the stars for yet another celebration of gypsy jazz!

The Djangofest gypsy jazz festival in Greece is an initiative of musicians involved in gypsy jazz music and its friends. As a self-organized event, it is realized with the energy of the participating musicians and volunteers, with the support of Plenty projects and the hospitality of the Social Cultural Center of Lampedusa.

“For the fourth year, DjangoFest is coming to Lampedusa. The Byron Social and Cultural Center welcomes it with great joy, participating more than ever in its preparation and organization, which stems from two, among other things, main reasons. One is its value as a musical event in itself, keeping alive a very important part of the jazz musical tradition in the European area and highlighting its special form and style, a product of the influence of the culture of the people who developed and promoted it. The other is that the festival relies exclusively on its people, whether they are musicians, technicians, or volunteer in any other field needed. This characteristic constitutes one of the basic projects of the Byron Social and Cultural Center for a world where people themselves are the shapers of the social space and recipients of the goods it offers.

Having met some of the people of DjangoFest and recognizing their contribution to music and the quality of our culture over the years, we welcome them again this time to Byronas and Lampidona.”

Social Cultural Center of Byron-Lampidona

The following figures participate (in alphabetical order):

-Antonis Priftis Quartet
- Diminuita "Le petit big band"
-Djangotropia
-Groovin' high (Patras)
-Manouche Drome
-Night and day (Patras)
-SwingAzoo
-SwingEs
-Tea for 3
-The Ghost Notes
-Troi Mat
-Trio Tapi

With their dancing and fun, as well as open lessons for everyone, the following dance groups participate (in alphabetical order):

- Athens Lindy Hop – www.athenslindyhop.com
-Athens Swing Cats – www.athensswingcats.com
-Rhythm Hoppers – www.rhythmhoppers.com

Alongside the performances, there will be an exhibition of handmade instruments with an emphasis on gypsy guitars. This year, manufacturers of handmade sound systems will participate in the exhibition.

Participating (in alphabetical order):

-Gabojo pickups – www.gabojo.com
-Leveller Guitars – www.levellerguitars.com
- Mamais Guitars – www.mamaisguitars.com
-Rm Acoustics – www.goulielmos-guitars.gr
- Chordofonon – www.hordofonon.com

The festival will also feature:

Open gypsy jazz guitar lessons with George Papadogiannis (Diminuita) and Dimitris Politis (The Ghost Notes).

Open gypsy jazz violin lessons with Sergios Chrysovitsanos (Gadjo Dilo) and Stergios Loustas (Swingtime Quintet, Thessaloniki).

Open dance lessons from all participating groups, puppet show and interactive treasure hunt for children.

Screening of the documentary “The Genius of Django Reinhardt” and the film “Swing” by Tony Gatlif.

Dj set by the Rhythm Hoppers, Margarita Stergiou and Evdokia Preka social kitchen.

 

Source: www.culturenow.gr