New website - upcoming concerts

We are re-designing www.andreagerak.com, thanks to the fantastic team of HostBaby, the web hosting provider for Andrea Gerak's official website. It is already up and running with the new style, new feeling and  more functions - happy surfing!

Visiting the website, you will see immediately that Andrea's concert calendar has a few upcoming dates:

Saturday, March 5th, 18:00
Vörösrák (Red Crab) Restaurant, Eger (HU)
Csango Benefit Dinner
12. Kossuth Lajos str.

Friday, April 22nd, 17:00
City Hall, Miskolc (HU)
Panorama World Club

Sunday, June 19th, 19:00
Sibiu (RO)
Hungaricum Weekend
Andrea Gerak & Zoltan Lantos (violin)

Sunday, July 3rd,
Balatonlelle (HU)
World Reunion of Hungarians

Sunday, July 10th, 12:00
Csattogó Völgy/Valley, Verőce (HU)
Erdélyország az én hazám - Transylvania Is My Homeland
World Reunion of Hungarians from Transylvania

For details and updates on these concerts and other upcoming shows, see the Calendar

Andrea and the musicians are looking forward to see you soon!



 

www.andreagerak.com

After Brugges Festival

The Hungarian singer is the vocalist of Brugge-Bucharest Express, an international production, led by Belgian composer Wouter Vandenabeele, which had its premier at Brugges Festival, in November 2010.

"Andrea Gerak singer excelled in her Hungarian songs as well as in vocalized parts, with her driving personality." Full review (in Dutch, use a translator)




What listeners say: "We were there Thursday night and everyone in the family liked it! It was moving to see how each musician played with dedication and obvious enjoyment, and the singer with her enchanting voice brought Transylvania a little closer to Flanders ... Will there be a CD of this music??"

Photos on Facebook (rehearsals and other backstage moments)

The artists:

Hans Roels (BE) - photos, concept
Wouter Vandenabeele (BE) - violin, concept, music, band leader
Andrea Gerak (HU) - vocals
Lotte Remmen (BE) - violin
Marcel Ramba (RO) - violin, music
Nicolas Hazeur (BE) - violin
Luc De Gezelle (BE) - violin
Florejan Verscheuren (BE) - piano
Frederik Heirman (BE) - trombone
Relu Merisan (RO-FR) - cimbalom (hammered dulcimer)
Arne Van Dongen (BE) - double bass
 http://www.andreagerak.com/

Andrea Gerak - Zoltan Lantos duo

Andrea Gerak and Zoltan Lantos present their duo
on the 27th of October 2010, at IF Café, Budapest IX., 19 Ráday str.  

"The Hungarian voice that will keep one excited. Without fear, she experiments with traditional subjects, mainly with those coming from her country, approaching them from different angles. Nothing resists her; neither new age, nor world fusion, nor a cappella interpretations..." - Sobre Las Aireadas Olas

In many corners of the world, the name and of course, first of all the voice of Budapest and Stockholm based Andrea Gerak equals Hungarian folk song. With Irish, Turkish, Bulgarian and other folk songs, she takes the listener to other lands as well, even to such exotic places as the Solomon Islands.

Performing solo, with music or acapella, she mesmerizes the audience as well as in duo or accompanied by a full band.


Zoltan Lantos is a violinist who is at home in musical cultures from across the globe - but has forged a sonic language all his own, using Hungarian and Classical traditions, Eastern music and modern European jazz.

He is part of several international projects, beside performing solo, with electronic sound. Lantos' musical identity, as a violin player, is rooted in the traditions of his native Hungary. At the same time, it is deeply influenced by Indian music and other Eastern traditions, all embedded in a whirlpool of electronics, ambient textures and live looping. Sometimes contemplative, sometimes pulsing with fiery dance rhythms, his compositions and improvisations echo the music of his homeland, as well as the vast musical experiences he came across his way. Over the years, Lantos' musical voyage has brought him together with many great artists on stage and in the studio. But equally important were his numerous meetings with lesser known folk and ritual musicians, in the caves of Granada, the deserts of Rajasthan, the age-old Buddhist monasteries of the Himalayas, and remote Bulgarian weddings.



Upcoming dates
Book Andrea Gerak & Zoltan Lantos

Ibrány Impressions

Photo gallery (pictures being uploaded continuously) of St Stephen's Day Festivities where Andrea Gerak & Friends gave a hot concert in front of 5000 people in Ibrany, Eastern Hungary.

Andrea says:

"It was an incredible feeling to visit the then village where my family came from and where I have spent many summers in my childhood with my Grandma and cousins. Now, after more than 20 years, Ibrány became a town and its face has changed a lot, with great modern buildings, a very nice, prospering little city - yet I arrived home to my folks, met several relatives and many people who all seemed to be friends with each other. Indeed, the atmosphere during my entire stay was great, very friendly, people enjoying the concerts and other events of the two days. 

I can't tell you how it felt to stand on the stage on the 20th of August when after the official celebrations I got to lead all those thousands to sing with me the National Anthem...

At our concert, people were clapping, singing along, moving their bodies - I even got a "dance partner": a Gypsy man was dancing pretty good, right in front of the stage, and Soma, our accordeonist, showed the crowd who was the man, twisting his feet in a lads' dance from Transylvania.  

There is too much to talk about the other programs, all the delicious traditional Hungarian food of next day's cooking contest... 

Greatest thanks to everyone who organized this event and contributed to it in some way!"



www.andreagerak.com

Back to the family roots

Summer greetings from Andrea Gerak's house!

Besides enjoying the few sunny days in and around beautiful Stockholm, the days have been busy here: watch out for very exciting new collaborations, the latest acapella album This Way, Sweetheart! soon on CD Baby, iTunes and all the good online stores, and for concerts.

The next, most anticipated show is in Ibrány (Eastern Hungary), for the St Stephen Festivities on the 20th of August.

"For me, this national holiday is the nicest one of the three that we Hungarians have, and I am looking forward to this day very much. This is the town where my family is from (and as far as I know, all the Gerak families in Hungary), I spent a lot of time there as a child with my grandmother, cousins and other relatives. Now when I was invited, I got a bit emotional, for I have not been able to visit the place since the funeral of my Grandma, and if I imagine that I go back there after more than 20 years, and I will be singing on stage for thousands of people, it makes my heart beat faster..." - says Andrea.   

Andrea Gerak and Friends will give traditional Hungarian folk music on the city's Open Air Stage, starting at 20:30. (Click on poster for map)




Andrea Gerak and Friends in Szentes (Southern Hungary), 20 Aug 2009
(Csaba Soos - violin, Marton Eri - viola, Balint Tarkany-Kovacs - cimbalom, Akos Lukacs - contrabass)

The singer will be in Hungary for almost ten days around that day, a few further dates are still available. Contact

www.andreagerak.com

Erik Strandh memorial concert at Stampen

A short concert review from Andrea Gerak:

Is it appropriate to say that one had a great fun at a memorial concert? Because I did, just as all the attendees at the packed Stampen, the famous jazz-blues establishment in Gamla stan (the old town of Stockholm) this afternoon. A few hours (4?) long blues jam session, as a tribute to Erik Strandh pianist who died last Saturday in a heart attack, just after a concert in his hometown Helsingborg with his band Our Thing, at the age of 60.

As I am not too familiar with the blues scene (and not with the music scene in Stockholm in general), I didn't know Erik Strandh; one of my friends, guitarist Thierry Laprevote invited me, who played with him at that last gig...


One of the last performances of Erik Strandh:



This memorial concert was an excellent jam session (hosted by Brian Kramer); countless musicians came to say goodbye to their friend who is now in some other world, but I am sure that all the good vibes from the gig got through to the late pianist and he could hear the music.


I took some photos (had to kneel on a bar chair for about two hours, so that I could see what was going on...)


More pics in my Stockholm photo blog


Contributing musicians: Anders Nystedt,  Ivan Jezek,  Williams Caroline, Daniel Ramsten,  Olle Sjöstedt, Emil Lindroth, Micael Öberg,  Brian Kramer, Steve Wadidiz Morris, Miiko Melody,  Jon Ben Berger, Thierry Laprevote, Marcelo Nunez, Mats Qwarfordt, Fanny Holm Sickenga - and many others

Also in Andrea's Blog
 www.andreagerak.com

Concert video: A pünkösdi rózsa (The Peony)

Andrea performing a song from the upcoming album This Way, Sweetheart!

She sang for the event Road To Copenhagen, together with Ewa Wikström and Julien Matei. This song was her solo part.


Watch video on YouTube

www.andreagerak.com
Andrea's Shop
Booking

Andrea Gerak replaces the opera star

The Hungarian singer was asked by organizers of  a Copenhagen Climate Conference event to open a 2-day convention, Road To Copenhagen. Andrea delivers a show together with a young Swedish collegue Ewa Wikström and Romanian composer Julien Matei. The two ladies will sing pieces of Matei who will play the piano. Their short concert is to greet the three co-chairs of the conference and provide a high spirit kick-off for the event.

For the Tuesday evening cultural program and coctail, world star opera diva Barbara Hendricks was expected in the Council Chamber of Malmö City Hall, but she is not able to perform, due to her upcoming concert in France. Thus the Matei-Gerak-Wikström trio gives a longer program for the attendees before the gala dinner, performing together as well as each artist solo.     

Photo: Zita Tatrai
www.andreagerak.com
Booking info & contact
Previous news: Songs from the new album This Way, Sweetheart! >>

Afternoon Tea

Stockholm's City Mission, the Stadsmission in the heart of Old Town, offers afternoon tea before the Christmas season, on every Sunday. The last occasion is the 22nd of November, when you can warm up not only your body with a cup of delicious tea but your soul with two ethereal voices singing to beautiful piano music as well...

Julien Matei composer (Romania) presents Eva Wikström (Sweden) and Andrea Gerak (Hungary)



Time: Nov 22 Sunday, 12-16h
Place: Stadsmission, Stortorget 3, Stockholm Map
More info

Book Andrea Gerak for your event

Sneak peak of upcoming album: Asiye

These days, Andrea Gerak is recording songs for her upcoming album Little Songs From a Big World, of her same titled solo show.

With her acapella songs, soon you can enjoy a trip around to Hungary, Turkey, Ireland, Solomon Islands and other places of the world, from the comfort of your home.

Indeed, these songs are done in a way that you will have the impression of not listening to a studio recording but Andrea is singing for you right there and right at that moment.

As an appetizer, listen to a Turkish song called Asiye, from the East coasts of Black Sea, . A boy is singing away his sadness, because he can't marry his love, the beautiful Asiye, her father doesn't let them be together.

Asiye


Andrea Gerak performing Asiye at budapest Fringe Festival 2008

Read Andrea's personal note about how this song was recorded

Download song

BOOKING CONTACT
FANS, BRING ANDREA GERAK TO YOUR CITY

Concert video: Don't Fall Asleep

16 May 2009, After Music Club, Mookie Got Robbed concert

MORE ANDREA GERAK GIGS
BRING ANDREA GERAK TO YOUR CITY

Andrea performs at her birthplace

Folk songs from Domahaza

Next weekend Andrea Gerak visits her birthplace Ozd in Hungary where she performs at a gala of the local folk dance association.

"I am very glad to take this invitation, because I have only been to Ozd a very few times: I was a little baby when we moved over to Kazincbarcika. When I was a teenager, I went to Ozd for swimming trainings when we didn't have a swimming pool yet in our city, two times to visit someone and last summer for a Takats Tamas Dirty Blues Band as part of the Borsod Arts Festival. I am especially happy about meeting the the traditional folk dance group of Domahaza, because their dances were amongst the first ones I learned when I was a young folk dancer." - Andrea

Place: Cultural Centre of Ozd "Olvaso" (Ozd, Gyar u. 4.)
Date & time: 25 April, Saturday 19:00
Music: Dobroda Band
Guest performers:
Traditional Folk Dance Group of Domahaza
Vadszilvak Folk Dance Group
Entry: 1000.-HUF

Andrea Gerak concert calendar
Yes, I want an Andrea Gerak concert in my city!
Booking enquiries

Little Songs from a Big World - solo concert

In her new show Little Songs From A Big World Andrea Gerak takes the listener to a trip through acapella folk songs from Hungary to Turkey, Ireland, Solomon Islands, Peru and more, even linking some of the melodies to other genres such as pop or jazz.
A cozy evening.

Next dates:

April 9 Thursday 19:30
Treehugger Dan's Bookstore & Lounge
Budapest VI., Lazar u. 16. (behind the Opera)
Bilingual performance (English, Hungarian)
Entry: 500.-/300.-HUF
Very nice organic coffee, tea, hot chocolate!

April 18 Saturday 19:00
Andrea's Day House Concert
Andrea's Salon (close to the the Music Academy)
Invitation only.
Info: +36/1/7870857, +36/70/4023173
info(at)andreagerak(dot)com

More Andrea Gerak gigs

Upcoming gigs

March 20. 19:00
Budapest Jazz Club concert hall
Nigun - Balazs Bagyi Quartet - Fabatka
A concert of the 3-day event Celebration of Hungarian Jazz

Transylvanian band Fabatka's guests: Andrea Gerak and György Jeszenszky (drums)

March 21. 19:00
Budapest
House concert
Guest: Fabatka
Invitation only

April 18. 19:00
Budapest
Andrea Day House concert
Invitation only

April 9. 19:30
Treehugger Dan's Bookstore & Lounge
Budapest VI., Lázár u. 16. (behind the Opera)
Entry: 500/300.-HUF
Little Songs from a Big World - Solo show

April 25. 19:00
Cultural Centre, Ozd

More concert dates

Csango Farsang (Carnival) in Eger

Andrea Gerak's next public performance



Time: 14th February 18:00
Place: Vörösrák Restaurant, Eger, Kossuth Lajos street 12.

Program:

At 18:00 mass for Csango Hungarians of Magyarfalu (Gaiceana-Arini (RO) at Ferencesek Church, Kossuth Lajos street 10, celebrated by Rev. Robert Pogar (born in Magyarfalu)

After that, dinner with entertainment. Performers:

Pal Dsupin furulya, Laszlo Cergo Herczeg koboz, Kinga Saarossy actress, Andrea Gerak singer, Laura Iancu poet, Ciprian Pogar singing (Magyarfalu), Ilona Budau singing (Magyarfalu), Students of Farkas Ferenc Music School, Jozsef Budau & his wife dance (Magyarfalu), Budau Antal & his wife dance (Magyarfalu), Antal Csicso tells stories about the Csangos (Klezse).

Táncház (=Hungarian folk dance house), teaching songs

Fee: 3000.-HUF

Tickets:
+36/36/312814 or personally at Vörösrak Restaurant

Media partners:
Csango Tükör, MyMusic, Hirek Oldal, Day.hu, Zenesz.info, Freeblog, Folkradio, Dalok.hu, TV Eger, Zajlik, Blogter, Egri Vegvar, Hirfal, Propeller, Myspace

Human Rights Gala in Stockholm

On the 10th of December, the Sweden branch of Youth for Human Rights International (YHRI-S) presented an opportunity to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Universal Declaration of Human Rights with international artists.

Besides Master of Ceremony Samson Mande, European Human Rights Hero awardee, several renown human rights activists honored the event. Norsang Drikung, leader of Tibetan Community in Sweden and Dr. Elfatih Shora, member of International Rescue Nubia organization spoke about issues demanding solutions in their countries, while Stig Johnell from Amnesty International took up several situations worldwide, including Sweden.

Honorary guest speaker Mrs. Jacqueline Mukangira, Ambassador of Republic of Rwanda to Sweden and Nordic Countries highlighted the evening, who told stories of how her country has risen from genocide to a safe and prosperous land, setting a good example of finding constructive solutions to various problems.

The audience was entertained by a colorful concert of classical, pop and world music, dance from Africa, Asia, America and Europe. In the artist line-up, different ages, races, music styles and most of the continents were represented.

Latvian viola/piano duo Ineta & Milda Zigure gave the concert a very aesthetic opening. Mrs Sonoko Kase's students from Östermalm Private Music School performed Japanese children songs, piano and ballet pieces. Venezuelan born soprano Gabriela Gonzáles-Toledo, who is also an active lecturer in Latin American music and culture, entertained with beautiful opera and musical songs. Hungarian folk singer Andrea Gerak's choice of Romany National Anthem was perfect for the occasion and really hit home to the audience. Swedish singer-songwriter Mimmi Siegel sweetened the mood while rock singer Lizette& and Nsako Afrodans, a group performing tribal music and dance from Uganda broke the floor with high energy sounds and moves.

The attendees appreciated the international diversity, the very informative speeches, high artistic quality and the relaxed atmosphere of the gala. The event concluded with the participating representatives expressing their intentions to further co-operate in order to make human rights a reality.

More info

Media partners: FN Tudósító, Virtus, Kakukk.ro, Blogtér, Nordic Africa News, World Music Central, Beats.hu, SPRACI, Hangszer és Zene Online, MyMusic.hu

Andrea Gerak calendar

Celebration of the 60th Anniversary for Human Rights

YHRI-Sweden celebrates 60 years of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948-2008).

"The hope of a secure and livable world lies with disciplined nonconformists who are dedicated to justice, peace and brotherhood."- Martin Luther King Jr.
"Make human rights a global reality and not just an idealistic dream." - L. Ron Hubbard

Theme: “DIGNITY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL OF US”

The Sweden branch of Youth for Human Rights International (YHRI-S) presents an opportunity to celebrate the 60th anniversary for human rights.


The Declaration belongs to each and everyone of us – read it, teach it, promote it and claim it as your own.

The anniversary gala will include speeches from the youth, ambassadors, government officials and renown human rights activists from different parts of the world. The audience will as well be entertained by an interlude of a concert of hip hop, classical, pop and exotic music, dance from Africa, Asia, America and Europe.

ARTISTS:

Andrea Gerak
Gabriela Gonzáles-Toledo
Ineta & Milda Zigure
Lizette&
Mimmi Siegel
Students of Östermalm Private Music School
Nsako Afrodans

Where: Årsta Folketshus
Årsta Torg, Årsta centrum (Stockholm, Sweden)
When: 2008. 10/December 18:00
Doors open at 17:30
Entry: 100.-SEK/50.-SEK for young people under 15 (incl. refreshments)


Contact: Charlotte Scholz Tel: +46-8-912635, +46-765261444 charlotte_scholz{at}yahoo{dot}se

Media partners:
Cityguide.se, Eventful, Facebook, MySpace, Last.fm, Stockholmtown.com, Nordic Africa News, Music Industry News, Starpages

Sponsors: FINT &FÄRDIGT BYGG STOCKHOLM AB, Bättre Hälsa, Martin Ekwall Fotografi, Roseb AB, Performia AB, Comline Rekrytering

Upcoming gigs

For detailed description, click on the going? button





More concert dates

Photos from concert in Edelény

Andrea performed between Vujicsics Band and Hungarian Hurdy-gurdy Orchestra at the 8th Borsod Arts Festival, in Edelény (Northern Hungary)

Microsite

Andrea Gerak to take away: here is the microsite for your blog or webpage. Concert dates, songs, videos, news - always fresh!