I am not only sad, but enraged to announce the cancellation of Esma's United States tour. Esma's visa to enter the United States has been denied AGAIN.
I will write more tomorrow, but I wanted to get the word out ASAP.
We are writing letters to Hilary Clinton at the State Department, as well as letters to as many editors as we can.
Below is the notification from UnTempered Productions followed by the notice from Esma's manager in New York.
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Dear Colleagues,
We received this message last night from Esma's tour coordinator and agent in the U.S. This is a huge disappointment for us and no doubt for you as well.
We received this message last night from Esma's tour coordinator and agent in the U.S. This is a huge disappointment for us and no doubt for you as well.
There is hope that the tour may be rescheduled in the spring, in which case we will do this whole process again. We will keep you posted as the probability of this becomes clearer.
We have learned much in these few weeks and will not be deterred from bringing other world-class artists to the Northwest. It has been a great experience putting this show together, and we have made many great connections between various communities in the process.
We have learned much in these few weeks and will not be deterred from bringing other world-class artists to the Northwest. It has been a great experience putting this show together, and we have made many great connections between various communities in the process.
We are extremely grateful for the help and guidance each of you has provided thus far.
UnTempered Productions
The following is the message from Esma's agent in New York.
Subject: Cancelation of 2011 Esma Tour Dates
Dear presenters,
We have just been informed by the US Embassy in Skopje that Esma and her band are not being allowed to enter the US with petitioned visa due to irregular situations that came up for some of the traveling party. We reapplied locally and have been told that they will not be granted their newly petitioned visas for this tour and that the secondary appeal would take at least two months to complete. Despite our best efforts to save this tour - having contacted local and international officials and specialists - the tour is being postponed until further notice, no sooner than February 2012. This is a massive disappointment to Esma, the band, the amazing organizers and supporters of this tour, me, and of course you, the presenters.
If you have paid a deposit to Esma, rest assured that your money will be refunded shortly via a certified check.
We will be working with Esma, her manager, and her new booking agent in Germany to set the new dates and will send out an email to all of you as soon as it is confirmed.
On behalf of Esma, Vesna, and the local US organizers that helped build this tour, I apologize for the unfortunate and very sad turn of events.
Sincerely,
Alexander Fringes
Dear presenters,
We have just been informed by the US Embassy in Skopje that Esma and her band are not being allowed to enter the US with petitioned visa due to irregular situations that came up for some of the traveling party. We reapplied locally and have been told that they will not be granted their newly petitioned visas for this tour and that the secondary appeal would take at least two months to complete. Despite our best efforts to save this tour - having contacted local and international officials and specialists - the tour is being postponed until further notice, no sooner than February 2012. This is a massive disappointment to Esma, the band, the amazing organizers and supporters of this tour, me, and of course you, the presenters.
If you have paid a deposit to Esma, rest assured that your money will be refunded shortly via a certified check.
We will be working with Esma, her manager, and her new booking agent in Germany to set the new dates and will send out an email to all of you as soon as it is confirmed.
On behalf of Esma, Vesna, and the local US organizers that helped build this tour, I apologize for the unfortunate and very sad turn of events.
Sincerely,
Alexander Fringes
Here is an interesting and relevant link from the stranger. Please check it out.
wow, really? I've watched her sing on TV. She's so great.
ReplyDeleteStupidity of the world never ceases to amaze me. :-\
Her US Tour was cancelled due to Visa problems...
ReplyDeleteThank you for your support and comments.
ReplyDeleteI'm still feeling a bit "shell shocked" by this decision of the State Department.
Hilary Clinton has often expressed her support of the Romani, but when push comes to shove, it's the same old story.
AND THE BEAT GOES ON.
Morgan