Tapestry Folkdance Center welcomes BULGARIKA back to Minneapolis on their 2023 tour for a . . .
BULGARIKA DANCE PARTY
Tuesday, October 3, 2023
7:30 -10:30 pm
Doors open at 7:00 pm
BULGARIKA presents traditional Bulgarian songs and tunes. The band is led by Donka Koleva (vocalist) and Nikolay Kolev (gadulka, a fiddle), award-winning performers from the Folk Music Conservatories in Bulgaria. The Kolev's will be joined by musicians Temelko Ivanov (kaval, flute), Nikolay Kodzhabashev (tambura, strummed lute) and Marin Chalamov (tupan, drum).
You are invited to experience the unique range of Bulgarian rhythms and dances. BULGARIKA promises to deliver unique tempos and line dancing music. No experience or partner necessary. Experienced dancers will lead the dances.
Advanced Registration: $12 General | $8 Ages 10 – 21
Walk-ins: $15 General | $10 Ages 10 - 21
Under 10 Years Old: Free
About the Musicians
Donka Koleva is a vocalist and graduate of the Folklore High School in Shiroka Luka. In 1994, Donka started recording with the National Radio and Television in Bulgaria. In 1997, her recording of “Javore” was song of the year. Since she moved to U.S. in 1995, she has taught and performed traditional and arranged songs from Bulgarian Thrace and the Rhodopes at Balkan camps on both coasts. She has taught many workshops and private lessons across the U.S. and Canada to well-known singing groups such as Kitka, Planina, Chubritza, Mila, and others. Donka graduated from the Musical Folklore High School in Shiroka Luka.
Nikolay Kolev, a native of the Thracian Rose Valley village of Karavelovo, has been playing gadulka since age 10. After graduating from the National School of Folk Arts in Shiroka Lŭka, Bulgaria, he performed for three years with the Sliven Folk Dance and Music Ensemble. In 1984 he founded the orchestra Sopot. In 1985 he formed the wedding-music ensemble Rozova Dolina, and in 1992 the prize-winning ensemble Balkanski Glasove. In 1994 and 1995 the latter group took first prizes at the Varna Festival. In 1999, Nikolay was the first Bulgarian to be recognized by the Slavic Heritage Council of America for his outstanding contributions to music.
Temelko Ivanov is a master kaval player who graduated from the National School of Arts Fhilip Kutev in town of Kotel and the Academy of Music in the town of Plovdiv. He is a soloist in the National Folk Ensemble "Thakia" and Bulgarian radio and TV.
Nikolay Kodzabashev graduated from K. Konstantinov High School with music profile and the Academy of music in Plovdiv. He is recognized as one of the best tambura players of his generation in Bulgaria. Currently Nikolay perform as a soloist in the Sliven Folk Ensemble.
Marin Chalumov is a native of the town of Karlovo and began playing tupan professionally at the age of 15. Currently he is performing with "Rosova Dolina" a wedding band. Marin Chalumov is known as a master tupan maker in Bulgaria.