The haunting Greek musical style Rembetika (the "Greek Blues") will be the theme of a trilogy of events - two concerts and a film - which will be raising money for the Leukaemia Cancer Society, starting this month. And appropriately enough, given the large Greek-speaking presence in our area, the first two events in the Trilogy of the Greek Blues will be taking place locally.
The Trilogy begins with Rembetika and Beyond - A Journey into the Greek Blues, a concert at the Millfield Theatre given by Martha D Lewis and Eve Polycarpou, with special guest singers and musicians. This will be "an evening of nostalgic music celebrating our heritage", and will include songs from the second event - the new film My Sweet Canary.
My Sweet Canary is an exuberant musical and cinematic journey to uncover the story of Greece’s best known and best loved Rembetika singer, Roza Eskenazy. A journey that will take three musicians from Istanbul to Thessaloniki and Athens following the musical trail she left behind. It’s a journey into a world that has largely vanished but whose sounds continue to echo throughout the Mediterranean Basin.
The UK Gala Premiere of My Sweet Canary will take place at Cineworld Enfield on 6 November, with proceeds going to the Leukaemia Cancer Society. The following day it will open in selected Cineworld venues in London, Birmingham, Manchester and Brighton.
The third element in the Trilogy is another concert, but this time presenting a 21st Century interpretation of Roza Eskanazy's music. Homage to Roza, to be held at Kings Place (near Kings Cross station), will find Martha D Lewis in the company of celebrated Jazz and World Music performers, including drummer Jack DeJohnette.
See also this article on the Parakiaki website.
Venues and dates
- Rembetika and Beyond: 14 October at the Millfield Theatre, Edmonton. 28 October at Komedia Brighton
- My Sweet Canary: Gala Premiere at Cineworld Enfield, 8pm on 6 November. UK release 7 November at selected Cineworld venues.
- Homage to Roza: 23 Nov 2014 - Kings Place London, Box Office: 0207 520 1490 www.kingsplace.co.uk www.efglondonjazzfestival.org.uk
