A NIGHT of vibrant gypsy and Balkan music is being held at the Firstsite Art Gallery in Colchester.

Local group The Band of Fools, are behind the No 1 Balkan Express event, which will be raising money for the Fresh Beginnings support organisation that provides education and advice for refugees.

Band of Fools is a seven-piece outfit bonded by their mutual love for gypsy, klezmer, Balkan and folk music.

Made-up of Teresa (accordion), Sim (vocals, mandolin), Eddie (violin), Bruce (bass), Michael (drums), and Kitty (vocals), all come from a variety of musical backgrounds from jazz to electro to classical and folk.

Formed in 2011, the band have been focussed on creating a project that would develop original modern rearrangements of Eastern European music.

Taking traditional gypsy instruments such as violin, accordion, bouzouki, double bass and percussion, and adding saxophone, theramin and mandolin, they offer a unique sound, mixing original songs together with reworkings of researched original folk melodies.

Also playing the gypsy, Balkan and electroswing evening will be London-based Gypsy Dynamite as well as local DJs including DJ Shoesy.

Sim says: “We are thrilled to be working with Firstsite on this event, it is a fantastic venue, and they have been really supportive of this event as well as our desire to support and raise funds for refugees entering the region.”

As well as the music there will be magic, gypsy tarot, workshops and other activities celebrating cultural diversity.

• No 1 Balkan Express Firstsite Gallery, Lewis Gardens, Colchester.

Saturday, November 28. 7.30pm.

£10. 01206 577067.

www.firstbalkan.com