The Hellraisers hit up Sebastopol on Saturday to partake of the traditional Romani/Gypsy neighborhood celebration announcing the end of the cold indoor season and the beginning of the warmer season of movement and outdoor life. Survival from the winter and the seasonal renewal of life is celebrated at Herdeljezi through the sharing of music, dance, food and community. And there was plenty of dance, music, food...and drink thanks to host Śani Rifati and his crew.
Top Romani musicians packed the stages, including Gogol Bordello's Eugene Hutz, Yuri Lemeshev and Sergey Ryabtsev. Yuri Yunakov & Sali Shopov's Romani Wedding Band with Sal Mamodoski & Erhan “Rambo” Umher, Petra Gelbartt, Vadim Kolpakov & Oleg Timofeyev; the Bay Area's own Brass Menazeri, and more. There were the best musicians entertaining from all over the world for 2 solid days. Even Les Claypool showed up to lend some musical talents. 12 years strong, the Voice of Roma are raising awareness and funding for gypsies in Kosovo and across the globe.