This coming week we’ve got a slew of regal sets for you from Seattle to Vancouver, BC. This Wednesday, May 6, we’ll be at Seattle’s Royal Room with Sazerac Orkestra and Chaotic Noise Marching Corps, come out and see some of Seattle’s most heart-pounding brass groups in an all-ages (before 10pm) venue with food! The following that up, we’ve got the Ederlezi Balkan Brass Festival at the Royal Canadian Legion Hall in East Van on Friday and Saturday May 8th and 9th. The weekend features seven bands and three dance ensembles and Serbian Romani master trumpeter Demiran Ćerimović who will perform with four different brass bands. Traditional Serbian food and drink are sold, and dancing is heavily encouraged. So go grab your crowns and dancing shoes and join us for this suite of royal performances kicking off our spring festival season!

It’s hard to believe it’s been a year, but here we are a year from our first gig and we’re still at it. We are so thrilled to be a part of Balkan Night Northwest this year along with so many other fabulous bands.  Come down on Saturday afternoon, the fun starts at 3pm with Kukeri and babouyeri fertility dances, and the music will run late into the night on two stages. The m9 plays on teh main floor at 10:15 Saturday night. Special props to our friends in the Bucharest Drinking Team, Dromeno, Eurodanceparty U$A, Orkestar Zirkonium and Sazerac Orchestra for bringing all their energy to this amazing festival. Tickets are available online and at the event. We hope to see you there!

Folks, we are hearing more and more about the terribly flooding which has gripped large parts of Bosnia and Serbia this spring.  The worst flooding on record is devastating some of the poorest regions of some of the poorest countries in Europe. Please consider donating whatever you can spare to help the victims of this catastrophe. The m9 is pleased to have the opportunity to perform at a benefit show this Sunday night after Folklife at the Sarajevo Lounge in Seattle. We are asking for $10 or whatever you can spare at the door, with the money being split between organizations directly helping in Bosnia and Serbia. Also on the bill will be Orkestar RTW, Balkanarama, Dromeno and the Bucharest Drinking Team. Another benefit at Sarajevo Lounge is scheduled to take place on Saturday with members of Kultur Shock and more benefits are planned going forward. Spread the word about this situation and about the benefits to your friends and family, please.

Saturday Night: https://www.facebook.com/events/243698562497948

Sunday Night: https://www.facebook.com/events/500506976742335

This weekend, The m9 is in Vancouver, BC for the annual Ederlezi Brass Festival. The festival features three-time Guca winner, and master trumpeter Demiran Cerimovic as well as Balkan bands from around the northwest.  Featured this year will be Orkestar Zirkonium and the Bucharest Drinking Team, each of Seattle, Washington and each sharing members with The m9. The festival host band is the venerable Orkestar Slivovica. If you have the chance, check us out Friday night at 9 or Saturday night at 8. The doors open at 7 each night, and links to tickets can be found on our events page.   We’re ready to rock Vancouver with our own take on the Balkan brass sound. Ziveli!