Saturday March 15th 2008 - An Evening of Eastern European Tinged Punk, Indy and Jazz New York, New York- Culture Clash Events, a group dedicated to bringing unique and diverse concerts to New York City stages, is proud to present its latest evening of music and performance

Doors open at 8pm.This event will feature some of NYC’s most distinctive performers including gypsy punkers, Luminescent Orchestrii, folk rockers, La Strada and clarinetist and composer Michael Winograd’s Infection. All three groups produce very different sounds while drawing stylistically upon the same varied traditions of Europe’s folk songs, including Balkan, Gypsy and Klezmer music.

Admission for this event is $10. Tickets can be purchased at Southpaw on the day of the show.

The Luminescent Orchestrii is a gypsy tango klezmer punk acoustic string band from New York City, whose music balances frenzy and finesse. The members of the Orchestrii come from different scenes in New York City, yet come together through their love of Balkan and Gypsy music. Sxip Shirey (resophonic guitar, melodica, bullhorn harmonica) is an international circus composer, Sarah Alden (violin) is an old-time fiddle player, Rima Fand (violin, viola) is an experimental theater composer, and Benjy Fox-Rosen is a jazz bassist.
Since 2002 the members of the group have toured both Europe and the United States extensively, released two full length albums to critical acclaim and have changed the face of New York City’s music scene.

The members of La Strada are classically and jazz trained musicians who met in early spring 2007 through friends, over the internet and by busking on the subway platforms of New York City. A rock band with accordion and three-piece string section, La Strada has been described as gypsy rock, baroque pop and modern folk.  The group is proud to be involved in Brooklyn's dynamic music scene and its members are often invited to perform alongside such names as Sufjan Stevens. La Strada is the romance of old-world instrumentation through new world amplification, with soaring vocal harmonies, accordion and string driven melodies set to rock rhythms, their music transports you to the hills of the Balkans, a street corner in Paris, and back to your window overlooking the Brooklyn skyline.

Clarinetist and composer Michael Winograd is one of the most in demand reed players in New York’s Klezmer and jazz scenes. As a sideman he has played among some of the hottest acts in contemporary music including; Frank London’s Klezmer Brass All-Stars, the Klezmatics, Beat Circus, Michael Alpert and many other distinguished ensembles. Winograd’s elegant soloing and distinctive tone draw audiences to new emotional heights and remind listeners of the intangible joys that a great Klezmer tune can contain. Michael joins Gypsy Clash as the bandleader of Infection, a unique assemblage of musicians whose sound is marriage of old world melodies, the circus, joy and madness.

CultureClashEvents seeks to create an evening that will bring exposure to unique artists and groups playing both traditional and non-traditional musical styles. Focus is given to artists who perform music that is vibrant, rhythmic and encourages dancing and audience participation. We feel that Jazz and World music’s performance potential can be further utilized in order to enhance New York’s urban night life. Our goal is to offer an alternative to the current dance and club culture which currently lack both diversity and inspiration. By giving worthy artists novel settings in which to perform -venues that ordinarily cater to rock or dance audiences- CultureClash adds an air of tradition and antiquity while simultaneously developing the new musical landscape.

Gypsy Clash is an evening of music that embodies these goals by gathering a diverse group of artists on a single stage in a unique and enjoyable setting. 

For more information, extended press kit or an interview with any participating CultureClash artist please contact Sruly Lazaros at (617) 460-5472 or via email Sruly.Lazaros@gmail.com

What: Gypsy Clash; An evening of Eastern European Punk, Indy and Jazz
Featuring: Luminescent Orchestrii, La Strada, Michael Winograd’s Infection
Where: Southpaw-125 Fifth Ave. Brooklyn, NY
When: Saturday, March 15th, 2007 at 8 pm
Cost: $10
Website: http://www.myspace.com/cultureclashevent