Voice of Roma Benefit

On May 15, The m9 welcomes Kosovar Romani activist Šani Rifati to Seattle for a benefit for Voice of Roma, hosted by the Seattle Balkan Dancers. The evening will feature both traditional and contemporary Romani music from local Seattle Balkan favorites, the Bucharest Drinking Team, The m9, and a dance workshop led by Šani himself.

Šani Rifati is a human rights activist, dancer and choreographer from the Romani community in what is now Kosovo. He is the president of Voice of Roma, and currently resides in Germany, where he works on behalf of Romani communities throughout Europe. Šani is also the father of The m9 trumpeter, Benji Rifati.

Voice of Roma (VoR) is a 501(c)(3) organization which seeks “to promote and present Romani cultural arts and traditions in a way that counters both romanticized and negative “Gypsy” stereotypes… to heighten awareness of human rights issues faced by Roma in today’s world, and to support efforts by Roma to (re)build and maintain their communities, improve their lives, and to strengthen the Romani voice both nationally and internationally.” VoR organizes cultural arts, educational, economic development, and charitable projects for and about Roma around the world.

We are so excited to have the opportunity to be a part of this special event and we hope you’ll join us the week before Folklife, to celebrate Romani culture, smash stereotypes, and educate ourselves about the issues facing Roma. The Russian Community Center on Seattle’s Capitol Hill will be the venue.