Romanian Weekend at The Wharf Showcases Romanian Arts and Culture


Posted July 1, 2022 by rabucur

Experience the best of Traditional and Modern Romania at The Wharf on July 9 & 10

 
The Romanian Embassy to the US and The Romanian Cultural Institute, New York, together with the Maramures County Council and The Wharf, with the generous support of Banca Transilvania/Transylvania Bank, invite you to experience the best of Romania at the Romanian Weekend at the Wharf, on Saturday, July 9 and Sunday, July 10. Enjoy live concerts, learn traditional crafts, listen to spoken word performances, and try delicious Romanian food and wine.

The Romanian Weekend at The Wharf is part of a months-long series of celebrations dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the Romania-United States Strategic Partnership, and it is a unique opportunity for people to get acquainted with both modern and traditional Romania.

The event, which kicks off at noon on Saturday at The Wharf’s District Pier, will feature various musical, artistic and culinary attractions from Romania’s culturally rich Maramureş region (Northwestern Romania, at the border with Ukraine).

Each day of the weekend will bring concerts by extraordinary Romanian musical artists: the Techno Witches, a rap group, brilliantly repackaging Roma culture into a modern sound, with lyrics that touch on social justice, witchcraft, technology, feminism, love, and other themes; Corina Sîrghi & Taraful Jean Americanu - an all-acoustic ensemble of virtuoso musicians performing both traditional and popular urban folklore pieces; and Ana Everling Trio, an act fusing Eastern European music with Brazilian and Afro-influenced rhythms, courtesy of master guitarist Edinho Gerber and percussionist Luiz Everling.

Kicking off the weekend, the Transylvania National Folk Ensemble will create an immersive experience through main-stage music and dance performances, as well as interactive demonstrations of dance, traditional garb and crafts in the nearby tents. The event will also feature the DC-based, all-volunteer Carpathia Folk Dance ensemble. Spoken word performances by well-known Romanian-American authors Cristina A. Bejan, Domnica Radulescu, Elena Secota and Adela Sinclair will be interspersed throughout the program.

Throughout the weekend, attendees will also have the opportunity to visit activity tents: “Dancing at the Barn” for dance workshops, “The Potter's House” for pottery demonstrations with master potter Daniel Les, “Our Story Carved in Wood” for wood carving demonstrations with sculptor Petrică Codrea and “Does Tradition Fit You”, an interactive folk costume exhibition where visitors can try the intricate traditional costumes themselves. Other fun activities include the “Romanian Literature in America” booth for book lovers; the “Gateway to Romanian traditions” booth to learn about ethno-tourism opportunities in Maramureș; the “Maramureș Photo Booth” for fun selfies; and last but not least, “The Taste of Romania” tent with a selection of Romanian food and wines to try and buy.

Romanian Weekend at The Wharf is organized by the Embassy of Romania to the United States and the Romanian Cultural Institute in New York together with the Maramures County Council and The Wharf, with the generous support of Banca Transilvania/Transylvania Bank.

The entry is free. For more information and the detailed schedule go to: https://bit.ly/3xYkW0w

About the artists

Transylvania National Folk Ensemble

The Transylvania National Folklore Ensemble, coming straight from Maramureş County, Romania was founded in 1959 and has performed all over the globe, uninterrupted, for over 60 years. The Ensemble is one of the most successful promoters of Romanian traditional culture in general, and Maramures-specific traditions in particular. With an orchestra, dancers and amazing vocalists, they are bringing Romania to DC in full force.

Corina Sîrghi & Taraful Jean Americanu

Corina Sîrghi, backed by the traditional all-acoustic ensemble led by accordionist and doctor in anthropology Shaun Williams (aka Jean Americanu') and featuring virtuoso musicians Laurențiu Feraru, Nicolae Feraru and Ciprian Răducanu, summons both the smoky parlors of 1930s Bucharest and the block parties of the 1990s.

Carpathia Folk Dance Ensemble

Founded in 2011, Carpathia Folk Dance Ensemble is a DC-based multi-ethnic folk-dance group that has become well-known for its authentic performances of Romanian traditional dances. The all-volunteer group performs dances from all regions of Romania, and includes both performers of Romanian origin and people who, without having Romanian roots, are nevertheless fascinated with Romanian culture and tradition.

Ana Everling

Ana Everling is a Moldovan singer living and working in Chicago. She is known for her impressive vocal range, multilingual and stylistic singing versatility, and dramatic expression style. Ana will be joined by Brazilian master Edinho Gerber on guitar and Luiz Everling on percussion, who bring novelty and their unique brilliance to the Eastern European styles of music, by mixing it with their own, authentic Brazilian, African-influenced grooves.

Tehno-Vrăjitoarele (Techno-Witches)

The rap/trap Tehno-Vrăjitoarele (The Techno-Witches) project by Niko G. and Kali, is a stereotype-subverting feminist rap group, brilliantly repackaging Roma culture in a modern sound. Their music is a fusion of melodic Roma themes, combined with electronic tracks and rap lyrics, that touch on social justice, witchcraft, technology, feminism, love, and passion among many other subjects.

About the venue

District Pier at The Wharf
The Wharf is a waterfront DC destination, featuring restaurants, retailers, residences, and businesses—all complemented by monumental views and a vibrant culture.
District Pier is one of The Wharf’s central outdoor gathering places, extending from 9th Street Southwest, and reaching 450 feet into the Washington Channel.

About Romania

Romania, located in Eastern Europe and bordering Ukraine, Hungary, Moldova and Bulgaria, has been historically one of the closest US allies in the region.
This is part of a series of events marking 25 years since the launch of the Strategic Partnership for the 21st Century between Romania and the United States of America.
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Contact Email [email protected]
Issued By The Romanian Embassy to the US and RCI
Country United States
Categories Event , Free , Lifestyle
Tags culture , event , festival , romania , tradition
Last Updated July 1, 2022