WHO ARE ROMA

IAN HANCOCK

FROM  YOURHOUSTONNEWS.COM.


‘Who are Roma?’ topic of May Divas Salon

 Thursday, May 5, 2011 10:02 am

Divas World presents “Who are the Roma?,” a Divas Salon performance at 8 p.m. May 17, 2011 at Duncan Recital Hall at Rice University.

“Who are the Roma?” will explore the history of the Roma (or Romani) people — commonly though inaccurately known as “Gypsies” — who have been in the Americas since the late 1400s. Their roots are in India, but a long history of oppression has spread them to various corners of the globe. This same history has led to a rich tradition of music and art about survival and triumph.

Musical selections will feature traditional Roma music and Dvorak Gypsy Songs.

Romani scholar Ian Hancock will join host and moderator David Eagleman for an evening that will blend music and discussion while considering the facts and dispelling the myths about the Romani people.

Hancock is director of the Program of Romani Studies and the Romani Archives and Documentation Center at The University of Texas at Austin, where he has been a professor of English, linguistics and Asian studies since 1972. He has represented the Romani people at the United Nations and served as a member of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council under President Bill Clinton.

Notable Romani’s of the world include Charlie Chaplin, Bob Hoskins, Adam Ant, Ronnie Wood, Olympic boxing medalist Serafim Todorov, and Nobel Prize winning scientist August Krogh.

Musical selections will feature traditional Roma music and Dvorak Gypsy Songs.

The Divas Salon Series is a uniquely modern expression of the 19th century European tradition of classical music programming. Music and intellectual thought are integrated by combining musical performance, a short lecture, and an interactive conversation with the audience and artists.

“Who are the Roma?” will be recorded for national broadcast on public radio, and the audience will experience an exciting behind-the-scenes look at the making of a public radio show.

“Who are the Roma?” is free and open to the public. Seating is limited and is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Doors open at 7:30 p.m.; the performance begins at 8:00 p.m. Duncan Recital Hall is located in the Alice Pratt Brown Hall at Rice University.

For information, contact Divas World at 713-524-2854 or visit http://www.divasworld.org/.