Balkan Music Night

Balkan Music Night is the premier local event celebrating the music and dance traditions of southeastern Europe, renowned for their distinctive vocal harmonies and compelling rhythmic energy. Join us for a fun-filled night of participatory dancing, music appreciation, and community!   Balkan Music Night brings together bands whose members include master musicians who emigrated from the Balkan countries, as well as American-born musicians who have embraced these traditions. These ensembles perform songs and dance tunes on a mix of modern and traditional instruments, drawing from the rich cultural heritage from across the region, including Bosnia, Bulgaria, Greece, Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey and beyond!   More than a dozen different ensembles will play for dancing and listening, including: <a href="https://youtu.be/u0jL92Dzxrg?t=4">Zlatne Uste</a>, New York’s premier Balkan Brass band, playing music from Romany (Gypsy), Serbian, Macedonian, and Bulgarian traditions; <a href="https://youtu.be/I3M0kjJisfQ">Kavala Brass Band</a>, specializing in the rich brass musical repertoire of northern Greece and Macedonia; <a href="https://youtu.be/k96cDU5nyv4?si=a0MiuCGngBiF4_AC">Niva</a>, an all-woman band playing and singing Macedonian roots music; Lubomir Smilenov, playing traditional dance music on the Bulgarian bagpipes and gadulka; and local favorite <a href="https://youtu.be/76qRMI_4jjU">REVMA</a>, featuring Sandy Theodorou, playing music for traditional Greek dances.   The Armory’s Rooted Café will be transformed into a Balkan Kafana, offering a relaxed, listening space with concert-style seating, separate from the Dance Hall. Performers in the Kafana include: virtuoso <a href="https://youtu.be/iSrakOwd9zc?si=61J-8SSLSoQeMDuL">Beth Bahia Cohen</a> playing traditional Turkish music; <a href="https://www.facebook.com/reel/813227108115595">Hinterlands</a>, a dynamic duo performing Balkan and Romani music; members of the Yale Slavic Chorus, performing vocal music from across the Balkans; Iveria, a men’s ensemble singing Georgian folk and liturgical music; and more!    Arrive early for walkthroughs of simple dances in the Dance Hall, led by experienced dancers, to the music of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6pUUbte3hk">Orkestar Banitsa</a>. Stay late to enjoy the entire program, including dance performances from area dance troupes <a href="https://youtu.be/dIHAHbKqanc?si=6hu1Gl-Kdt5YvsHB&amp;t=5">Ludo Mlado</a> (Bulgarian), and the <a href="https://bostonlykeion.org/videos/">Boston Lykeion Ellinidon</a> (Greek); and our traditional participatory events such as the Hora na pesen (dancing to group singing), and Ličko kolo.    Food and drink will be available throughout the evening, with complimentary snacks and beverages served on the mezzanine, and more substantial food and a full bar open in the Dance Hall.

Arts at the Armory

Bulgarian Dance Party with Bulgarika!

Join us for a special night of participatory Bulgarian folk dancing accompanied by live music from Bulgarika – a group of Bulgarian master musicians who bring the soul of the Balkans to life through their close harmonies, intricate rhythms, and traditional folk melodies. Now beginning their 2025 U.S. Tour, this extraordinary band plays traditional music that is spontaneous, passionate, and never the same twice. Their decades of experience together create an unforgettable live performance – you won’t want to miss it! Bulgarika&nbsp;includes:&nbsp; ·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Donka Koleva - lead vocals ·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Nikolay Kolev - gadulka and kopanka ·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Stoyan Kostov - tambura and guitar&nbsp; ·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Anton Shekerdjiev - tupan and Rhodope gaida &nbsp; All Are Welcome No partner or dance experience needed! Just bring your enthusiasm and willingness to connect through music and movement. &nbsp; Complimentary refreshments Delicious light snacks and desserts will be offered, along with non-alcoholic beverages to quench your thirst. &nbsp; Cultural Connection Presented by the <a href="https://facone.org/about-the-folk-arts-center.html">Folk Arts Center</a> community, which is proud to host this rare opportunity to dance to a live band of true Bulgarian masters. This is more than an event – it’s a celebration of tradition, community, and joy. &nbsp;

Payson Park Church

Dancing on the Greenway

The Folk Arts Center of New England (FAC) is excited to sponsor this FREE participatory folk dance series on the Rose Kennedy Greenway in Boston. Come one – come all! Starting our 2nd year on Dewey Square Plaza, this summer series celebrates traditional cultures from around the globe through participatory dancing, accompanied by live music (most sessions), or recordings of dance tunes, as needed. Each week’s session will showcase the folk traditions from a different region or genre, so come often and tour the world through dance (view the 2024 schedule <a href="https://facone.org/programs/dancing-on-the-greenway.html">here</a>.) No previous dance experience is needed, nor do you need to bring a partner. Basic dance instruction will be provided each week by experienced dance leaders, and we will all learn the dances together in an open and welcoming atmosphere. To learn more about folk dancing, click<a href="https://facone.org/about-what-is-folkdancing.html"> here</a>. So join the fun on Tuesday evenings in July and August (weather permitting), on Dewey Square Plaza, located near the new Night Shift on the Greenway Beer Garden at the corner of Summer Street and Surface Road, across from South Station. And please visit our <a href="https://facone.org/programs/dancing-on-the-greenway.html">website</a> for more detailed information.

Dewey Square Park, Rose Kennedy Greenway

Balkan Music Night 2024

Balkan Music Night is the premier local event presenting the music and dance of southeastern Europe, with its distinctive vocal harmonies and compelling rhythmic music and dance.&nbsp;Sponsored by the Folk Arts Center of New England, Balkan Music Night returns in a new location for a fun-filled night of participatory dancing, music appreciation, and community, from 6:00PM until closing! View the full schedule <a href="https://facone.org/balkan-music-night/balkan-music-night-schedule.html" target="_blank">here</a>. Balkan Music Night presents bands whose members include master musicians who emigrated from the Balkan countries, as well as American-born musicians who have embraced these traditions.&nbsp;These ensembles perform songs and dance tunes on a mix of modern and traditional instruments, drawing from the rich cultural heritage from across the region, including Bosnia, Bulgaria, Greece, Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey and more! &nbsp; In all, more than a dozen different ensembles will play for dancing and listening, including: <a href="https://youtu.be/u0jL92Dzxrg?t=4" target="_blank">Zlatne Uste</a>, New York’s premier Balkan Brass band, playing music from Romany (Gypsy), Serbian, Macedonian, and Bulgarian traditions; <a href="https://youtu.be/I3M0kjJisfQ" target="_blank">Kavala Brass Band</a>, specializing in the rich brass musical repertoire of northern Greece and Macedonia; <a href="https://youtu.be/k96cDU5nyv4?si=a0MiuCGngBiF4_AC" target="_blank">Niva</a>, a four-woman band playing and singing Macedonian roots music; <a href="https://youtu.be/sO7Em6dWa7A" target="_blank">Balkan Fields</a>, playing the wonderful music of Bulgaria, Macedonia, and Bosnia; and local favorite <a href="https://youtu.be/76qRMI_4jjU" target="_blank">REVMA</a>, featuring Sandy Theodorou, playing music for traditional Greek dances. &nbsp; The Armory’s Rooted Café will be transformed into a Balkan Kafana, where you can enjoy a more mellow listening experience in a café setting and food available for purchase.&nbsp;Among the musicians playing for us in this venue are: virtuoso <a href="https://youtu.be/iSrakOwd9zc?si=61J-8SSLSoQeMDuL" target="_blank">Beth Bahia Cohen</a> playing traditional Turkish music; <a href="https://youtu.be/_hUlp13jpF4?si=M_Ip6-yblS8ROzdE&amp;t=354" target="_blank">Sophia Bilides</a>, singing soulful classics from Asia Minor;&nbsp;<a href="https://youtu.be/znbiCo3s-vQ?si=bH5YugaSGvlQMty6" target="_blank">Gogofski</a>, featuring vocalist Kasia Sokalla, playing favorites from across the Balkans; and more!&nbsp; &nbsp; Arrive early to participate in simple dances in the main hall, with walkthroughs led by experienced dancers, and lively brass band music by <a href="https://youtu.be/NbTSh5FFT54?si=otb34TaeBwHn_smb&amp;t=50" target="_blank">Conical Cacophony</a>! Stay late to enjoy the entire program, including our traditional participatory events such as the Hora na pesen (dancing to group singing), Ličko kolo; plus dance performances from area dance troupes <a href="https://youtu.be/X17yO9ZRGF8" target="_blank">Grachanitsa</a> and <a href="https://youtu.be/KA9kF4fYsVs?si=OGwHScZuI7duq1dz" target="_blank">Mladost</a>, and a cash bar for refreshments!&nbsp; Tickets in advance are $35 ($40 at the door) with generous discounts for children, young adults, families, and Folk Arts Center members.&nbsp;Advance ticket purchase is strongly recommended for the best prices, and ease of entry at the door.&nbsp;For more information and to purchase tickets, visit <a href="https://facone.org/balkan-music-night/" target="_blank">BalkanMusicNight.com</a>&nbsp;

Folk Dancing by the Fountain

Free outdoor summer folk dance series at Copley Square in Boston, sponsored by the Folk Arts Center of New England! This Tuesday evening dance series offers dance instruction and folk dancing for all, sometimes accompanied by live music. No previous dance experience is required, come by yourself or bring friends! For more information, see <a href="http://www.facone.org/about-what-is-folkdancing.html">about folk dancing</a>. Admission is FREE • but your voluntary donations will help support these events, dance leaders, musicians, and the Folk Arts Center.

Copley Square Park

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Where

joyraft.host59242

Experiences

Balkan Music Night

Bulgarian Dance Party with Bulgarika!

Dancing on the Greenway

Balkan Music Night 2024

Folk Dancing by the Fountain