In a Nov. 26 concert at Town Hall on the edge of downtown, musical artists from that contentious part of the world known under the umbrella name the Balkans will unite in their love of sevdah, the traditional urban music from Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The concert, entitled "Evening of Sevdah: The Love Songs of Bosnia and Herzegovina," is presented by Sevdah North America.
Queen Anne resident Mary Sherhart, president of the organization, is also artistic and managing director for the program. Sherhart records, performs and teaches extensively in Europe and North America.
Akin to the singers of the Portuguese fado, American jazz and Greek rembetica, sevdah singers are prized for their virtuosity in capturing the emotional expressiveness of songs that communicate the various shades of love, from first blush to passionate longing. The poetry of the songs will be translated into English.
Additionally, concert organizers hope to offer a source of emotional healing for local Balkan refugees whose lives were disrupted by the war.
The concert is made possible by Seattle People's Fund, City of Seattle Office of Arts and Culture and the Ethnic Heritage Council.
