From tonight, Friday 21 May, a series of live performances unfolds at Fonó, Budapest’s leading venue for folk and world music. All can be enjoyed in person by those carrying an Immunity Certificate, and shows are also being streamed live.
The Fonó fortnight kicks off with the Moroccan sounds of Chalaban, before going on a musical journey across the Balkans and Carpathian Basin. For tickets and information, see here. Note that Immunity Certificates have not been issued automatically to foreigners vaccinated here in Hungary – the situation is still being resolved. Check with the surgery or medical centre where you received your vaccination for details.
1/5
Chalaban
Moroccan Saïd Tichiti, from Guelmim
at the gateway to the Sahara, founded Chalaban
in Budapest. The band blends Central-European, Balkan and Gypsy music traditions
with the spiritual sounds of the desert. Chalaban have made six records, 2017’s
Gleimim presented to
a full house at Müpa.
Friday, 21 May, 8pm
Details here
2/5
CimbaliBand
A live show to promote their latest record, Gipsy
Fushion,
the CimbaliBand fronted by singer Alexandra
Horváth present the musical
treasures of Gypsy folklore from her native Transylvania. Known for her
appearances on Hungarian TV, Horváth has been working with the group for two
years, complementing the cymbalom sounds of Balázs Unger and violin of Máté Solymosi.
Saturday, 22 May, 8pm
Details here
3/5
Balázs Elemér Group
One of Hungary’s most popular jazz bands, the Balázs Elemér Group were founded by the renowned drummer of the same name, who
gathered key musicians from the same genre to play at prestigious festivals
from Berlin to Rome. Providing the vocals is Bori Magyar, bringing a Hungarian
folk element to the mix.
Friday, 28 May, 8pm
Details here
4/5
Branka Trio
Led by half-Serbian,
half-Hungarian Branka Básits, the Branka Trio will be joined by two members of
the Babra Band, vocalist/double-bass player Veronika Varga and
saxophonist
Bence Babcsán. The event is therefore being called Félig egészen (‘Half Whole’), aiming to find common ground in the
sounds of Serbia, Hungary, Greece and the Balkans.
Saturday, 29 May, 8pm
Details here
5/5
Zűrös Banda
A week after her Branka Trio gig,
Branka Básits returns to perform with the Zűrös Banda to present the original songs
from their second release, 2021. Guest
appearances will be provided by viola player, Márton ‘Kispuma’ Fekete and Dávid Eredics on Bulgarian
kaval. Hungarian folk arrangements come to the fore, with Balkan undertones.
Friday, 4 June, 8pm
Details here
