'VIVA PATSHIVA' Gypsy Rock Opera Welcomes METROFOLK 3/28

Viva Patshiva announces that on Saturday, March 28, New York gets a double bill of Hungarian Roma- and folk-inspired performances at the Interart Annex (500 West 52nd street (at 10th Avenue), NYC. Following the Gypsy Rock Opera fusion of Viva Patshiva, the chairs will be cleared and the Metrofolk Band will take the stage to teach and play traditional Hungarian Gypsy folk dance and music. Called a "Tanchaz" ("dance house") in Hungarian, there is a long tradition in Hungary of gathering in barns, houses, auditoriums and public halls to share authentic dances and songs and party into the night.

The beer and wine is free and the spirit will flow all night. Doors open at 7:30 with Gypsy dance instruction. Tickets are priced at $20 and include both the Gypsy Rock Opera and dancing with Metrofolk. Call Smarttix at 212 868 4444 

For more information, visit www.vivapatshiva.com.

Viva Patshiva means "Long Live The Party" in the Roma language and the party starts at 8 PM every Friday and Saturday through May 16 at the Interart Theatre. Presented by the Interart Development Series, "Viva Patshiva" is a dark comedy about the agonies of love and the transcendent power of timeless ritual to heal a broken heart. The book and English lyrics are by David Jenness and the catchy score is built on melodies from Transylvanian and Hungarian Roma, played by a tight band that includes Jake Shulman-Ment ("Romashka") and Terri Conti ("Isle of Klezbos").

The featured roles are sung by Chemda, the Israeli-American pop singer and comedienne ("Conjure One," Nettwerk records, "Keith And The Girl.com") and Ray West, lead singer of the 90's metal band "Spread Eagle" ("Switchblade Serenade," MCA/Universal). Gypsy choreography is by Andrea Kalan, a Hungarian Gypsy dancer, with additional choreography by Aaron Haskell.
"Viva Patshiva" was directed by Paul Smithyman and co-produced by the Interart Theatre. Founded in 1996, The Interart Annex has provided an environment of creative freedom for a wide variety of theater artists to develop new works. Among the artists the Interart has presented are: blessed unrest, The Shalimar, The Talking Band, Brett C. Leonard, Stephen Adley Guirgis, Tea Alagic, Wendy Kesselman, Tina Shepard, Timothy Haskell.

Metrofolk Band is one of New York's premiere Hungarian Folk and Gypsy music purveyors. Beloved by Hungarian folk dancers up and down the East Coast, the Metrofolk Band plays authentic Hungarian-style as passed down through the ages. Its members have impeccable credentials in the Hungarian Folk world and when the band plays, dancers leap to their feet. Come and learn a few new steps and join in the fun.