Sunday, December 16, 2007

Slavic Festival in Eugene, Oregon January 2008

Russian dance and music ensemble Barynya (artistic director Mikhail Smirnov) will be performing at the Slavic Festival in Eugene, Oregon from January 17 to January 20, 2008.

Schedule:

January 16, 2008. Barynya arrives to Eugene, Oregon.
January 17, 2008. Musical Play "Joyless Princess" Agate Hall 7:00pm
January 18, 2008. "Staf filled Russian Nights" Hult Center for the Performing Arts Eugene, OR 6pm
January 19, 2008. Slavic Festival 2008 Regional Sport Center (9am-12pm)
January 20, 2008. Slavic Festival 2008 Regional Sport Center (9am-8pm)
January 21, 2008. Barynya departs to New York


List of performers:

Mikhail Smirnov (garmoshka, guitar, vocal), singer Alexander Menshikov, violin virtuoso Sergey RyabtsevAlex Siniavski (balalaika, Gypsy guitar),  Leonid Bruk  (balalaika-contrabass), dancers: Olga Chpitalnaia , Valentina Kvasova, Ganna Makarova, Mikhail Nesterenko, Andrij Cybyk, Stefan Kuziw 

Ensemble Barynya in Eugene, Oregon
more information, full size photos


           MORE PUBLIC CONCERTS OF ENSEMBLE BARYNYA

Legendary Gypsy singer Zhenya Shevchenko  and Russian dance and music ensemble Barynya. The Kaye playhouse, Hunter College, New York City.
Friday, January 25, 2008 at 7:30 PM
Saturday, January 26, 2008 at 3:00 PM

http://www.barynya.com/ad/jan2008.htm

 Zhenya Shevchenko and Barynya

Thank you!

Mikhail Smirnov
Ensemble Barynya

Thursday, November 29, 2007

американская русская свадьба - balalaika scam

В середине июля 2007 года я получил электронное письмо от Джефа Хилтона (JEFF HILTON), организатора свадеб из штата Теннессии. Клиенты этого господина собирались пожениться в Мариетте (штат Джорджия) в воскресенье, 14 октября 2007 года. Жених и невеста желали порадовать своих гостей русскими танцами, песнями и игрой на балалайках. По словам мистера Хилтона, кто-то из знакомых порекомендовал ему наш ансамбль Бырыня как самую лучшую группу в Америке в этом жанре. Я подумал про себя, что этим знакомым нужно почаще бывать на свежем воздухе, но предложению порадовался.

Меня условно смутило, что устроитель свадеб писал слово “я” с маленькой буквы ("i"), а в конце письма не было у него длинной подписи с указанием вебсайта, телефона, факса, электронного ящика, чем всегда заканчиваются электронные послания людей такой профессии.

В субботу, 13 октября нас пригласила ассоциация любителей балалайки из Атланты (The Atlanta Balalaika Society) в качестве гостей принять участие в их большом концерте. 14 октября мы могли бы по пути остановиться на пару часов в Мариетте, там поиграть на коктейле с нашими музыкантами, Лешей Синявским и Лёней Бруком, потом сделать небольшое шоу с танцорами во время свадебного банкета, перекусить, и с песнями да плясками ехать обратно в Нью-Йорк. Всё как будто складывалось очень удачно.

Мы довольно часто выступаем на свадьбах, где жених или невеста имеют русские корни. На таких мероприятиях все гости обычно говорят по-английски, а балалайка контрабас вызывает у публики живейший интерес. Многие трогают инструмент за гриф и струны, а певец Саша Меньшиков при этом объясняет на своём безупречном английском, что только самые обеспеченные балалаечники могут себе позволить приобрести подобную вещицу.

В середине сентября я напомнил мистеру Хилтону про первоначальный взнос (deposit). Мы обычно берем 20 процентов от суммы вперед. Вскоре пришел ответ Джефа, что жених должен был срочно выехать за границу и заплатит мне всю сумму наличными незадолго до свадьбы. Я не стал спорить. Все артисты ансамбля Барыня очень любят наличные, поэтому-то они и перебрались в Америку..

читать дальше
http://garmoshka.livejournal.com/35815.html

Tuesday, November 6, 2007

yana brink, tatiana gorbachevskaya and eddy azzolino

Very talented couture Yana Brink invites you to the evening where Art meets fashion and photography. Yana Brink created for the program of the New York based ensemble Barynya ( http://www.barynya.com ) unique costumes for the dance of Russian Nobility called the "Daniel Cooper". Leo Tolstoy mentioned that dance in his book "WAR AND PEACE" (read more in the end of the post).

An evening of art and design featuring painting of Tatiana Gorbachevskaya ( http://www.tanya-art.net ),
one-of-a-kind garments by couture Yana Brink ( http://www.yanabrink.com ), and photography by Eddy Azzolino.

November 10th 6pm to 11pm
242 Tenth St, office 106, Jersey City
(the entrance is on Jersey Avenue, One minute from Holland Tunnel)

Yana Brink Couture
http://www.yanabrink.com

Yana Brink creates one-of-a-kind garments. She describes herself as an artist, whose medium is fabric. Why as an artist, not a fashion designer? Because all the garments she creates herself, using elaborate classic French dressmaking technique that had existed for centuries until the modern fashion industry developed simplified shortcuts. The technique features yards and yards of bastings, hand sewing and hours of pressing. Similar to paintings, each her garment represents a finished idea.

Yana derives her inspiration from different styles ranging from Art Deco to Goth Punk. Her philosophy is to create not just a pretty look but a character and a mood. She likes to create a garment which instantly tells a story about the personality who is wearing it before any words are spoken. No garment is ever duplicated, and the clothes are made to last.

Yana Brink received a master’s degree in applied mathematics in Russia. In addition to her technical degree she has always been interested in fashion. Having been sewing since early childhood, at the age of nineteen she started to take orders from private clients, designing and sewing one-of-a-kind garments while pursuing her full time studies at the university. Later she took private couture sewing classes and fashion design courses. Yana also has had a solo exhibition of her oil paintings in Russia.

Artist Tanya Gorbachevskaya
http://www.tanya-art.net

Tanya Gorbachevskaya was born in 1971 in the city of Priozersk
in Kazakhstan. From there, she moved first to Novosibirsk in Russia,
then to Kiev in Ukraine, and finally to Gomel in Belarus. In 1991,
she entered Gomel College at the Belarus Academy of Arts,
where she studied painting and fine arts. After completing her degree
with honors, she taught art history in the Gomel Irina Gymnasia.
Starting in 1997, Tatsiana worked as a color designer, managing wallpaper
design at the Gomel Wallpaper Enterprise. From 1997-2003,
she studied the History of World and National Culture at
The Belarus State University of Culture, defending her diploma
"European fashion of the 20th century" with honors. Since the
summer of 2003, she has been living and working in Kearny, New Jersey.



"Look at Papa!" shouted Natasha to the whole company, and quite forgetting that she was dancing with a grown-up partner she bent her curly head to her knees and made the whole room ring with her laughter.

And indeed everybody in the room looked with a smile of pleasure at the jovial old gentleman, who standing beside his tall and stout partner, Marya Dmitrievna, curved his arms, beat time, straightened his shoulders, turned out his toes, tapped gently with his foot, and, by a smile that broadened his round face more and more, prepared the onlookers for what was to follow. As soon as the provocatively gay strains of Daniel Cooper (somewhat resembling those of a merry peasant dance) began to sound, all the doorways of the ballroom were suddenly filled by the domestic serfs- the men on one side and the women on the other- who with beaming faces had come to see their master making merry.

"Just look at the master! A regular eagle he is!" loudly remarked the nurse, as she stood in one of the doorways.

The count danced well and knew it. But his partner could not and did not want to dance well. Her enormous figure stood erect, her powerful arms hanging down (she had handed her reticule to the countess), and only her stern but handsome face really joined in the dance. What was expressed by the whole of the count's plump figure, in Marya Dmitrievna found expression only in her more and more beaming face and quivering nose. But if the count, getting more and more into the swing of it, charmed the spectators by the unexpectedness of his adroit maneuvers and the agility with which he capered about on his light feet, Marya Dmitrievna produced no less impression by slight exertions- the least effort to move her shoulders or bend her arms when turning, or stamp her foot- which everyone appreciated in view of her size and habitual severity.

The dance grew livelier and livelier. The other couples could not attract a moment's attention to their own evolutions and did not even try to do so. All were watching the count and Marya Dmitrievna. Natasha kept pulling everyone by sleeve or dress, urging them to "look at Papa!" though as it was they never took their eyes off the couple. In the intervals of the dance the count, breathing deeply, waved and shouted to the musicians to play faster. Faster, faster, and faster; lightly, more lightly, and yet more lightly whirled the count, flying round Marya Dmitrievna, now on his toes, now on his heels; until, turning his partner round to her seat, he executed the final pas, raising his soft foot backwards, bowing his perspiring head, smiling and making a wide sweep with his arm, amid a thunder of applause and laughter led by Natasha. Both partners stood still, breathing heavily and wiping their faces with their cambric handkerchiefs.

"That's how we used to dance in our time, ma chere," said the count.

"That was a Daniel Cooper!" exclaimed Marya Dmitrievna, tucking up her sleeves and puffing heavily.

from "WAR AND PEACE" by Leo Tolstoy
posted by Mikhail Smirnov
5GRAND.US - Russian wedding band and dancers
http://www.5grand.us

Thursday, October 11, 2007

Atlanta Balalaika Orchestra and ensemble Barynya concert October 13, 2007


A program of traditional Russian and Eastern European music by the ATLANTA BALALAIKA SOCIETY Balalaika Orchestra, featuring Ukrainian-born bayan (button accordion) soloist Alla Mulvehill from Alabama, and ensemble Barynya.

Saturday, October 13, 7:30 PM
Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest St., Roswell, GA 30075 phone: 404-325-2449
http://www.atlantabalalaika.com
$20

directions to Roswell Cultural Arts Center
http://www.roswellgov.com/index.php?p=385

Gypsy dance photo:

http://www.atlantabalalaika.com/images/Barynya-GypsyDance.jpg

Singer Sasha Menshikov photo with Barynya:

http://www.atlantabalalaika.com/images/SashaMenshikov.jpg

Ensemble Barynya performers:

Singer Sasha Menshikov
http://www.barynya.com/menshikov.htm

Mikhail Smirnov - garmoshka, guitar, vocals (artistic director,
founder)
http://www.barynya.com/misha.htm

Alex Siniavski - balalaika, Gypsy guitar (musical director)
http://www.barynya.com/alex.htm

dancer and choreographer Andrij Cybyk
http://www.barynya.com/barynya/cybyk.stm

dancer Natalia Ejova
http://www.barynya.com/barynya/ejova.htm


Other upcoming public performances of ensemble Barynya:
http://www.barynya.com/gigs.htm

October 16th, 2007, Tuesday. 9am and 10am. Plaza Elementary School
(gym). 501 Seaman Ave. North Baldwin, NY 11510. Dancers: Natalia Ejova
and Andrij Cybyk, Mikhail Smirnov (garmoshka, guitar, vocals,
balalaika)

October 21, 2007. Westlake Clam & Chowder House. 382 West Lake Drive,
Montauk, NY 11954 Balalaika Duo.

November 3, Saturday, 2007. Cornwall Public Library. 60 miles north of
New York City, in the Hudson Valley. Pending

November 17th, 2007. Saturday. California Institute of Technology.
1200 East California Blvd. Pasadena, CA 91125. Full company

January 12-13, 2008. Eugene, Oregon. Slavic Festival.
full company

February 8, 2008, Friday. Petroushka Ball - fundraiser for the Russian
Children's Welfare Society. New York City. Barynya New York balalaika
orchestra. Pending.

February 12, 2008, 7pm. Naperville 95th Street Public Library. 3015
Cedar Glade Drive, Naperville, IL 60564. Trio

February 15, 2008, 9am. Elmwood Elementary School. 2319 N. 76th
Avenue; Elmwood Park, IL 60707. Trio

February 15, 2008, 5pm. John Mills School. 2824 N. 76th Avenue;
Elmwood Park, IL 60707. Trio.

Feb 28, 2008, thursday, Colorado college. 2 dancers, A.Siniavski,
M.Smirnov. pending.

March 29, 2008, Saturday, 10pm. Bat Mitzvah Party in Princess Chateau,
111 Route 46 West, Lodi, NJ 07644. Vitaly Verterich and Bottle dancers
USA. Private Party. Contract is pending.

June 28, 2008, Saturday. Barynya musicians and dancers (full company)
at Burlington County of New Jersey event. More info will be added when
available.

March 15 - April 7, 2009. Midwest spring tour. Pending

Thursday, September 6, 2007

Gypsy Balalaikas go Hollywood Oct 6, 2007 in Reno, Nevada


Gypsy Balalaikas go Hollywood Oct 6, 2007 in Reno, Nevada
Nightingale Hall at the University of Reno, Nevada 7 p.m., Saturday,
October 6th, 2007


The Sierra Nevada Balalaika Orchestra
http://www.sierrabalalaika.org
will perform with:
International favorites, "GYPSY BOYS" - Misha Smirnov and Sasha
Menshikov from ensemble "Barynya" of New York:
http://www.barynya.com


Other guest musicians include:


Ari Nicolini - percussion,
Dan Nicolini - prima balalaika,
Peggy Propper - prima domra,
Bob Propper - bass domra,
Nina Tritenichenko - bayan:
http://www.barynya.com/ukrainian/nina.htm
Zhenya Tritenichenko - guitar, flute & percussion,
Kathleen Schwartzman - prima domra,
Judy Sherman and the Big Rock Balalaikas


Come listen to a lively medley of Gypsy music and, Hollywood show
tunes with a Russian flair.


- - - Guaranteed to be entertaining. - - -


more info at
http://www.sierrabalalaika.org/shows.html

Sunday, August 5, 2007

Balalaika Russe album "Heart on the Snow" free mp3 download

free MP3 download of Balalaika music album "Heart On The Snow" by famous band "The Balalaika Russe" is available now from ensemble Barynya website
http://www.barynya.com/mp3/balalaika_russe.htm

The Balalaika Russe - Cabaret Balalaika Group

Since its inception in the early 1970's, the BALALAIKA RUSSE was the finest ensemble of its kind in the USA. This colorful sextet has performed from Washington to Maine and Europe, at such venues as society balls and affairs, at local church halls, outdoor concerts and festivals, weddings, club dates, and on the concert stage.

BILL MELICK (prima balalaika)
GARY NOVA (voice and guitar)
ALEXANDER ALEXANDROVICH (prima domra)
JUDY SHERMAN (alto balalaika)
ALAN ZEMEL (bass domra)
STEVE WOLOWNIK (bass balalaika)

The Balalaika Russe was the preferred band of the Russian nobility emigre society, performing at such functions as the Petrouchka Ball, the Nobility Ball, the Theological Ball, and at the Tolstoy Society.

AVAILABLE TRACKS:
01. Burn, Burn, Gypsy Love
02. The Beauty of Russia
03. My Dear Gypsies
04. My Dear Wore a Panama Hat
05. What's Grief to Me?
06. Ukrainian Folk Songs
07. Heart on the Snow
08. Candy and Cakes
09. Steve Got Drunk
10. The Ural Rowan Tree
11. "Springtime" Polka
12. The Cherry Tree
13. BallRoom Folk dance "Lezginka"
14. I Want to Love
15. Moscow Nights
16. The Embroidered Cloth
17. Sweetheart
18. Snowfall
19. The Peddler's Pack
20. Russian Tango Medley
21. Why Fall in Love?
22. "Caress" Waltz
23. Soldiers' Songs

Tracks from this recording are available to download for free for all members of a Russian dance, music and song ensemble BARYNYA group on Yahoo:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/barynya/

Mikhail Smirnov
Ensemble Barynya (New York)
http://www.barynya.com

Thursday, August 2, 2007

Russian dance and music ensemble Barynya Ohio Tour 2007

Ensemble "Barynya" performed from July 17 to July 28, 2007 in Lakeside, Warren, Marietta, Jackson and Grandview Heights, Ohio. All performances were free and open to the public.

ENSEMBLE "BARYNYA" SUMMER 2007 OHIO TOUR PHOTOS
http://groups.google.com/group/Russian-folk-dance/web/03

Thursday, June 7, 2007

Brooklyn Gypsy Cossacks rehearsal

Brooklyn Gypsy Cossacks or Ensemble BARYNYA rehearsal article written by Mikhail Smirnov for The Balalaika and Domra Association of America (BDAA) Newsletter

Brooklyn Gypsy Cossacks or Ensemble BARYNYA rehearsal

We decided to start the rehearsal around 6 pm in order to finish it by 8pm.
Singer Sasha Menshikov and I arrived around 6:15pm and we were the first ones there. There was a small delicatessen near the studio in Red Hook (part of Brooklyn). Sasha had an idea to buy some drinks, just in case. For some reason the store did not carry any Russian vodka and we bought some chips, nuts and Russian beer with meteorological name “BALTICA-3”.

On the way out we bumped into the dancer Mikhail Nesterenko and famous Leonid Bruk with his enormous contrabass balalaika by his side. As always, two of them were having a professional conversation about how to treat a common “Russian flu”. I overheard very familiar to every balalaika-player terms as “Alka-Seltzer” and “Rassol” (pickle water).


Ukrainian dancer Andrij Cybyk is known for always being on time. He showed up just 10 more minutes later. Everybody lighted up their cigarettes. We were waiting for the girl-dancers and violin-player.

I started to worry; when girls and violin-player are late together it could take quite a while (just like a notorious story that happened during a Slavic festival in Oregon last year).


While waiting for the girls, the conversation was mainly about them. However, just 15 minutes later, Olga, Ganna, and Viktoria brought a lot of “semi-fresh” rumors about the Russian community in Brooklyn. Surprisingly enough, the story that recently happened in the restaurant “CHINARA” was still quite popular.

From the roof of the studio there was a great view on the Lower Manhattan. Once again, everybody lighted up their cigarettes. Leonid Bruk offered to shoot our new video right there on the roof using his video camera that he has just obtained from local street gypsies.

Sasha Menshikov jokingly admited that he does not have the proper underwear for this video. Leonid reassured him however that sophisticated video-editing programs that are temporary in his possession may allow him to cover up all the bad moments, and everything else could be fixed with expensive special effects.

Sasha started to undress slowly while singing his favorite song “VODKA GLASSES” but at this moment choreographer and dancer Vitaliy Verterich showed up, cursing about New York Marathon and traffic.

For some time the conversation was about the upcoming Russian Nobility Ball and the Russian Nobility in general…

To avoid the conflict of versions during the show, at first no changes were made in “KAZACHOK” (Cossack dance) and “TSYGANSKY” (Gypsy dance). This would have been a right way to go but during the rehearsal new versions of the dances appeared to look better than the old ones.

Hospitable Ilja, the owner of the studio and a huge fan of our dancer Valentina Kvasova, offered the vine and other traditional Russian beverages. Sasha loved it, his voice started to sound clearer almost immediately; choreography finally began to look like a professional show.

Dancers lighted up their cigarettes again. Somebody threw my jacked out of the window. Violin player S. went to get it and came back two hours later claiming that he got lost. We went through the whole program once again without him.

Cossack singer Victoria Pichurova left with the dancers at eight o’clock sharp.

As soon as they left, balalaika player Alex Siniavski arrived with his Gypsy guitar. He briefly talked to the owner of the studio Ilia and Valentina the dancer, then, he talked a little more with the contrabass-balalaika guru Leonid Bruk, after that he headed back home. About 15 minutes later me and Menshikov decided to go back home to our Brighton Beach.

Long after that the neighbors of the studio-owner were still talking about the day when Russians were rehearsing next door. But to tell you the truth, there is not much to talk about…

Pictures from ensemble Barynya performance at the Russian Nobility Ball 2007
http://groups.google.com/group/rmda/web/02

Mikhail Smirnov, Artistic Director/Founder
Ensemble Barynya from New York
www.barynya.com

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

2007 ensemble Barynya upcoming performances

Wednesday, May 30, 2007, 10pm. Misha Smirnov (garmoshka, guitar), Lev Zabeginsky (balalaika) and Ruslan Khain on contrabass at The Russian Children's Welfare Society post-concert reception for soprano Anna Netrebko and baritone
Dmitri Hvorostovsky at the Carnegie Hall in New York City... more info



June 3-5, 2007. Casa Serena Hotel, Oxnard, CA. June 4th 9:10AM. Ensemble Barynya Russian dance and music showcase in Ojai, California. Dancers: A.Cybyk, N.Ejova, Mikhail Smirnov (garmoshka, balalaika, vocals)



Saturday, June 9th, 2007. Russian Balalaika Duo Alex Siniavski and Mikhail Smirnov 1 hour performance at the Annual International Day. Pearl S. Buck International. 520 Dublin Rd, Perkasie PA 18944



Tuesday, June 12, 2007, 8:30PM. Barynya dancers with klezmer show Bottle Dancers USA at the Jewish International Connection gala event "Passport to the World". Prince George Ballroom. 15 East 27th Street (between Fifth and Madison Avenues), New York City, New York



Saturday, June 23, 2007. 11:30PM Bottle Dancers at private party (Wedding).
Water's Edge. 44th Drive - East River, Long Island, NY 11101. Phone: (718) 482-0033



Sunday, June 24, 2007. Bottle Dancers at the private party in Brooklyn, New York. Pending




Sunday, July 3, 2007. Vassar in Poughkeepsie, New York



Sunday, July 3, 2007. Chicago, Illinois. 2 dancers, 3 musicians. Pending



July 6th, 2007 1:45PM. Barynya Russian Dance Camp. 2 dancers, one musicians. 91 S Orange Ave at Newark Academy. Livingstone, NJ



Monday, July 9th, 2007 at Bryn Mawr, Bryn Mawr, PA



Wednesday, July 11th - Sunday, July 15th, 2007. Singer Alexander Menshikov and Mikhail Smirnov (Russian garmoshka) at The Balalaika and Domra Association of America 29th Annual Convention. Luther College, Decorah, Iowa



Sunday, July 15th, 2007. One hour free public concert of Barynya Russian Band at the street fest in New Jersey. Pending



Ensemble "Barynya" is touring state of OHIO. July 16-July 30, 2007. Full company. More details will be posted soon.



Tusday, July 31, 2007. Princeton University, Princeton, NJ



Friday, August 3rd, 2007. Vineland, NJ. Full company. Pending



Monday, August 6th, 2007 1:30PM-3pm. Russian Balalaika Duo Alex Siniavski and Mikhail Smirnov at the Musikfest. Bethlehem, Pennsylvania



Tuesday, August 7th, 2007. 3pm-4:30pm. Russian Balalaika Duo Alex Siniavski and Mikhail Smirnov at the Musikfest. Bethlehem, Pennsylvania



Saturday August 11, 2007 from 1pm to 4pm. Russian Balalaika Duo Alex Siniavski and Mikhail Smirnov. International Summer Music Series for Liberty Village Premium Outlets. One Church Street, Flemington, New Jersey 08822



August 11th-August 20th, 2007. Russian garmoshka player and singer Mikhail Smirnov at the Slavic Festival in Canada, Quebeck



Saturday, September 1st 2007. Milford, PA



Friday, September 7, 2007. showcasing at the Midwest Arts Conference. Columbus, OH



Sunday, September 9th, 2007. Russian Mosaic Festival. Penns Landing, Philadelphia, PA. One hour music program, brake, two hours full lenght concert. Full company. 6 dancers, 3 musicians and singer. Pending



Thursday, September 27, 2007. Showcasing at the Performing Arts Exchange, Louisville, KY



Thursday, September 28, 2007. Showcasing at the Performing Arts Exchange, Louisville, KY



Friday, October 12, 2007. Rehearsal with The Atlanta Balalaika Society. Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest Street, Roswell, GA 30075



Saturday, October 13, 2007 at the Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forest Street, Roswell, Georgia 30075. M.Smirnov (garmoshka, balalaika, vocals), A.Siniavski (balalaika, Gypsy guitar), dancers: V.Kvasova, A.Cybyk



Barynya full company tour in Mexico. Pending



Thursday, November 1th, 2007. San Diego, CA. Two musicians, two dancers. Pending



Thursday, November 8th, 2007. Nampa, ID. Full company. Pending



November 17th, 2007. California Institute of Technology. 1200 East California Blvd. Pasadena, CA 91125. Full company. Pending



January 12-13, 2008. Eugene, Oregon.
Slavic Festival



January 23-26th, 2008. IPAY Showcase in Tampa Bay, Florida

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

Russian dance, food, music May 26 2007 Ostin, TX 7pm

For Immediate ReleaseMarch 15, 2007Russian Speakers SocietyContact Luda Voskov512-442-4016 lvoskov@austin.rr.com

The Master Music Concert. We are proud to announce the Russian Spring Fest concert.
The concert “Russian Spring Fest”, presented by Russian Speakers Society, will be held on May 26, 2007 7:00 PM at the First Unitarian Universalist Church, 4700 Grover Ave., Austin, Texas The concert will feature three outstanding Russian groups, Kalinka, Flying Balalaika Brothers, and Russian Folk Dance Ensemble – “Uzori”. A sumptuous array of Russian cuisine will be provided by Sasha’s Gourmet Russian Market and Cafй.

Admission for this concert/reception is $25. Ticket information: 512-459-1449 The concert will appeal to lovers of all styles of music and is for all ages. The artists are the best interpreters of that kind of music. The concert is supported with funding from the Cultural Contracts Division of the City of Austin, Texas Commission on the Art and The Non Profit Center. The group, Kalinka, features two Russian virtuoso musicians, Sergey Vashchenko, on balalaika, and Vladimir Kaliazine, on bayan. The European award-winning and 2004 Grammy Award Contenders have been performing together for almost twenty years throughout Europe and the United States. They have played with symphonies, chamber groups, and as soloists, interpreting both traditional Russian folk music and popular classical music. Among other awards, Mr. Vashchenko won first place in the 1980 Ukrainian Russian Folk Instrumental Competition, and Mr. Kaliazine was concertmaster for the Folk Dance Ensemble of Siberia. Before moving to the Texas , duo was awarded numerous prizes in Germany , France , and Spain.

The Flying Balalaika Brothers, a local Austin band, have been together for almost two years and feature Zhenya Kolykhanov, Sergey Vashchenko, and Aleksander Kuznetzov. Their music has been labeled Russian folk meets American bluegrass. They have performed for schools and local festivals including the Kerrville Folk Festival and the Pecan Street Festival. Formally of the Red Elvises, Zhenya’s music has been featured in numerous Hollywood Movies and television series, and with his other group ZeeGrass performs in clubs throughout the United States and Europe . He is the groups’ composer and lead singer. His talent as a composer and improviser is combined with Mr. Vashchenko’s extensive skills as a folk musician, conductor, and arranger. Aleksander Kusznetzov, a rising star in the world of music, will amaze you with his talents on double-bass. Together, their music will make you want to get out of your seats and dance!

The name “Uzori”, chosen by the ensemble’s Artistic Director, Yelena Kochourova, from St. Petersburg, is taken from a Russian word meaning “intricate decorations’, such as those found on traditional folk costumes. The ensemble captures both the grace and fire of Russian dance. Uzori is the first Russian dance ensemble to be formed in Houston and present dances of Russia , Ukraine , and Eastern Europe . The company maintains an active schedule of public and private performances, which include the “Russian Day” celebration at NASA and the preview reception for the exhibit “Kremlin Gold” at the Houston Museum of Natural Science.
For more information, please contact Mr. Vashchenko at 512-420-0574 or Balalaika@sbcglobal.net

posted by Mikhail Smirnov
http://www.smirnov.org

Monday, May 14, 2007

репетиция ансамбля Барыня

... начать решили в шесть вечера, чтобы в восемь уже разъехаться по домам...

Мы с Меньшиковым приехали в 6:15 и оказались первыми. Рядом со студией в бруклинском Ред Хуке был маленький деликатессен. Сашка предложил на всякий случай взять что-то попить. Русской водки в магазинчике не было, пришлось ограничиться фисташками и пивом с метеорологическим названием "БАЛТИКА-3".

На выходе столкнулись с танцовщиком М.Нестеренко и басистом Леонидом Б. Они как всегда вели профессиональный разговор о том, как правильно лечиться от "русского недомогания". В их беседе слышались знакомые каждому балалаечнику термины "рассол" и "алкаселтцер".

Минут через десять появился и А.Ц., который как известно никогда никуда не опаздывает. Все закурили. Ждали девочек и скрипача, но их всё не было. Я было начал беспокоиться: когда девочки опаздывают вместе со скрипачем, это может быть надолго (известный случай в Орегоне).

Пока не было девушек, разговор в основном шел именно о них, но уже через полчаса Оля, Ганна и Вичка привезли ворох несвежих бруклинских сплетен. Оказывается, история случившаяся в ресторане "Чинара" до сих пор была в моде.
Решили медленно подыматься.

С крыши студии нижний Манхеттен был как на ладони. По этому случаю многие снова закурили. Брук предложил снять прямо на крыше новый клип "ансамбля" Барыня на свою свеже-купленную у цыган видео-камеру. Певец Меньшиков пожаловался, что не готов к съёмкам, так одел не то бельё. Лёня успокоил его, что на видео-editing программах, временно находящихся в его распоряжении, можно многое приукрасить, а остальное замазать дорогими спецэффектами. Напевая "СТАКАНЬЧИКИ ГРАНЁНЫЕ", Саша начал раздеваться, но тут, проклиная нью-йоркский марафон, пришел хореограф Виталий Вертерич...

Недолго, но уважительно поговорили о предстоящем русском дворянском бале и самих дворянах.


В "Казачке" сначала решили ничего не менять, чтобы не запутаться. Время показало, что это было бы верным ходом, но на репетиции новые варианты цыганского и казачьго танцев выглядели убедительнее старых.

Хозяин студии и поклонник Валентины Квасовой предложил вина и другие традиционные русские напитки. Голоса сразу зазвучали ярче, а хореография обрела долгожданную концертную форму. Кто-то выбросил из окна мою куртку. Все закурили.

Прошли всю программу ещё один раз. Ровно в восемь певица Вичка с танцорами уехала, а вместо них приехал из Филадельфии балалаечник Алеша Синявский со своей цыганской гитарой . Он немного пошептался с Бруком, с Меньшиковым, с хозяином, с Валицей, со скрипачом, и был таков.

Через минут 15 поехали к себе на Брайтон и мы с Меньшиковым.

А соседи хозяина студии ещё несколько лет потом вспоминали, как у них в доме репетировали "русские", хотя, сказать по правде, вспоминать-то особо было нечего...

Mikhail Smirnov, Founder/Artistic Director
New York based ensemble "Barynya"
Russian, Gypsy, Cossack, Klezmer and Ukrainian music and dance
web: http://www.barynya.com
********************
It's Barynya Time!

Thursday, May 3, 2007

Russian Nobility Ball May 11th, 2007 New York City

Russian Nobility Ball May 11th, 2007 New York City

Friday, May 11th. 2007. Annual Easter Russian Nobility Ball at the Grand Ball Room of "The Pierre Hotel"

Fifth Avenue at 61st Street, New York City, New York.

The cocktail hour starts at 7:30pm. Barynya musicians and Sergey Riabtsev (violin)

Ensemble Barynya program will start around 9:45pm.

We will perform Cossack song and dance (band, singers and dancers)
Russian Gypsy traditional songs "Dark Eyes" and "Three Lanes"
(Pichurova, Menshikov and band)
Russian Gypsy dance and song "Two Guitars" (band and dancers)Gypsy
Violin Extravaganza (Sergey Riabtsev and band)
balalaika solo (Alex Siniavski)

Barynya performers:Musicians: Sergei Riabtsev (violin), Mikhail Smirnov (garmoshka, guitar,vocals), Alex Siniavski (Gypsy guitar, balalaika), Leonid Bruk (balalaika contrabass), Singers: Viktoria Pichurova and Alexander Menshikov, Dancers: Vitaly Verterich, Misha Nesterenko, Andrij Cybyk, Ganna Makarova, Olga Chpitalnaia, Valentina Kvasova

Wednesday, May 2, 2007

Ensemble Barynya singers, musicians and dancers

Barynya's director and founder, MIKHAIL SMIRNOV "Misha", recieved his Master's degree in folk chorus conducting from the Moscow State Academy of Culture and Arts. As a child, Mikhail was a member of the famous "Moscow Boys Chorus" - one of the most prestigious all-male choirs in Russia. Before coming to the United States in 1991, Mikhail was a choirmaster in a several Russian folk groups, soloist with the Moscow State Center for Russian Song, "Russkaya Pesnya", under the direction of Nadezhda Babkina. While studying in Moscow, Mikhail followed his passion for Russian folk song by traveling to many different regions of Russia such as Tver, Smolensk, Belgorod, and Don River to collect Russian folklore at its sourse. Songs, melodies, lyrics, and tunes change from village to village, even those as close as a couple of miles apart. In these folklore expeditions, he recorded over 100 hours of Russian folk music. Mikhail has incorporated much of this original material into his ensemble's repertoire. In addition to being a trained singer, Misha is adept on a variety of Russian folk instruments including balalaika, guitar, zhaleika, kugikly, balalaika-contrabass, svirel, and gusli. However, his favorite instrument remains the garmoshka, the small button accordion used in Russian folk music.

The group's musical director, Alex Siniavski "Alyosha", is an acclaimed balalaika and Gypsy guitar virtuoso. Alex graduated with honors from the Leningrad State Musical Conservatory. Prior to his arrival in the United States in 1992, he was a soloist with the Andreev State Symphonic Balalaika Ensemble, one of the most prestigious musical groups in the former USSR. Alyosha has toured throughtout the United States, the former Soviet Unioun, Europe and America, appeared on the television and radio in Russia, America and Africa. A respected teacher as well as a performer, Alex Siniavski has produced the first balalaika instructional course on DVD.

Acclaimed New York based contrabass balalaika player, Leonid Bruk was born in Leningrad, Russia. He graduated from music school as a bass guitarist and performed with many different groups. When he arrived in the United States in 1989 he became deeply attracted to the bass balalaika and balalaika contrabass. In 2000, he founded his own Russian folk music trio, "The Brooklyn Balalaikas", and has played with various folk groups including "Russian Carnaval" and "Barynya" and soon became known for his expertise in Russian traditional music.

Alexander Menshikov "Sasha" is considered to be one of the best performers in Russian Gypsy style in New York. He is a professional singer with many years of experience. Alexander is a native of the small town Bugulma, now Republic of Tatarstan. He studied singing in The Gnesin Academy of Russian Music in Moscow, Russia. In 1990 he performed in the Russian television show "Step to Parnas," which is similar to "American Idol" in the United States. Before he immigrated to the United States in 1992, Sasha was a rising star in Russia. His 1991 album released by Gala Records in Moscow ("My Dear Russia") is still widely available in record stores throughout Russia. The website www.Esenin.ru (dedicated to famous Russian poet Sergey Esenin) selected Sasha as the best singer of Esenin's lyrics. Alexander Petrovich Menshikov performed with ensemble Barynya for the first time in 1996.

Choreographer and dancer VITALY VERTERICH was born in 1967 in Sevastopol, Ukraine. He graduated from the Kiev Ballet School in 1986 and from Moscow Academy of Art in 1992. After performing as Principal Dancer with the National Folk Dance Company “Beriozka” for four years, he joined Russian Chamber Ballet Theatre “Moskva,” where he danced solo roles in both classical and contemporary ballets. At the same time, Mr. Verterich was often invited to perform as guest artist with the Bolshoi Theatre, the Kirov Ballet, and other Russian and international companies. In 1998, Mr. Verterich was offered the position of Principal Dancer with the Moscow Folk Ballet in the world’s hottest show that year - “Riverdance the Show” - created by Michael Flatley. After two years of intense touring in Europe, Australia, Canada, and America, the show took over the Gershwin Theatre on Broadway. It was renamed “Riverdance on Broadway” and Mr. Verterich accepted the position of Principal Dancer. Mr. Verterich is currently works with the New Jersey Ballet and is a resident faculty member at Valentina Kozlova’s Dance Conservatory of New York. Vitaly has joined ensemble Barynya in 2003.

Dance Captain Valentina Kvasova "Valeetsa" was born in Russia, in the city of Rostov-na-Donu, Cossack' s Capital of Russia, on August 25, 1976. After finishing of the formal education in Voronezh Choreographic School in 1994 she has been invited to The Don Cossacks State Academic Song and Dance Ensemble as the actress of ballet. Valentina Kvasova equally manages roles of lyrical, playful or comic characters. The dynamical, bright, sociable, talented person, Valentina is having recognition among professionals. Valeetsa has joined Russian folk dance and music ensemble Barynya in 2004 as a dancer and singer. In 2005 she has become a dance captain and choreographed a few dance numbers.

Russian folk dancer Olga Chpitalnaia from Brooklyn, New York has made the United States her home in 1992. She performed with Ukrainian Dance State Ensemble “Slavutich” and the “Russian song and dance ensemble of the Black Sea Navy Sailors”. Olga Chpitalnaia has joined ensemble Barynya in 2003.

Born in Odessa, Ukraine Ganna Makarova began her dance training at the world-renowned Moiseyev Dance Studio. After completing her training at the Moscow Academy of Performing Arts, she performed with a top Moscow theatre company and starred in several major motion pictures. In 1992, Ganna came to America and succeeded in graduating Magna Cum Laude from Long Island University. In 2001, she realized her dream of performing with Riverdance on Broadway. Ganna also toured with the Riverdance national tour and was a company member for five years with All Nations Dance Company. Ganna Makarova performed with ensemble Barynya for the first time in 1993.

Ukrainian folk dancer and choreographer ANDRIJ CYBYK is the only American born member of "Barynya". Of Ukrainian heritage, he began his training in the Cleveland area studying Ukrainian and Character dance with David Wozniak and Markian Komichak in the ensemble Kashtan and Ballet at the University of Akron Conservatory of Dance. When he was a teen, Mr. Wozniak took Andrij to his first Dance Camp with Roma Pryma Bohachevsky. Two years later, he began attending her Dance Workshop at Verkhovyna, a training ground for the best Ukrainian Character dancers in North America and was invited to perform with Syzokryli, New York based Ukrainian dance ensemble. Andrij attended Duquesne University and graduated Summa Cum Laude with a double major in Psychology and Philosophy. While at Duquesne, he broadened his dance training and experience by performing over 360 shows with the Duquesne University Tamburitzans. In the Tamburitzans, he had the opportunity to study with some of the world’s greatest masters of Eastern European Folk dance including Vasillii Mountian, Dimiter Manov, Zelco Jergan, Elaina Lindtnerova-Kraslakova, Zoltan Zurawski and Dragan Kovacevic. After graduating the ensemble and spending yet another of many summers dancing for and assisting Roma Pryma Bohachevsky, Andrij went to Ukraine and attended the Virsky School of Academic Ukrainian Folk Dance in Kyiv, Ukraine. He graduated with the title Artist of Ballet and returned to the United States. He now lives in New York City and pursues dancing full time. He has been featured as a guest artist and principal dancer for the following dance companies: Anglo-American Ballet Company, Brighton Ballet Theater, Connecticut Ballet, New Jersey Ballet, Shore Ballet Company, Michael Mao Dance, Nai Ni Chen Dance Company, and the ALLNATIONS Dance Company. He has also been a guest artist at numerous schools and for several occasions, including the Times Square Millennium Celebration.

Russian folk dancer Mikhail Nesterenko specializes in character dance as well as ballet. He has graduated from Voronezh Dance Academy in Russia and has worked for various dance companies in Russia including Rhythm Planet under direction of Boris Sankin (former first cast of famous Moyeseev Russian Folk Ensemble). Mikhail’s inborn talent was recognized very early and he was a winner of numerous junior dance competitions. In 1995 Mikhail Nesterenko toured all over Europe with the Dance group MVO, and in 1996 he joined renown Bim-Bom Dance Group and Lovushkin Circus and Folk Dance Company. Between 1997 and 1999 Mr. Nesterenko performed with Lovushkin Group at Cypress Gardens, Florida. Mikhail also performed Russian Trepak in the Nutcracker with the well-known Florida Dance Theater and featured as a principal dancer of the Niel Goldberg’s Cirgue at the Acuff Theater, Nashville, TN. In 2000 Mikhail Nesterenko was invited to perform with the United Art Corporation in New York as a soloist of Pototsky Dance Group, one of the first and most recognized Russian folk shows in the East Coast. Mikhail’s acrobatic skills and knowledge of Russian folklore enjoyed outstanding reviews. Mikhail started to perform with New York based Russian folk dance and music ensemble Barynya in 2004.

Barynya's vocal soloist VICTORIA PICHUROVA was born in Rostov on the Don. She is a former soloist with the Don Cossack State Ensemble and is one of the finest performers of traditional Cossack songs. Equally at home with Russian, Cossack, Ukrainian, and Gypsy folk songs, Victoria Pichurova's repertoire includes wide range of different genres: historical, lyrical, wedding ceremony, the Russian epics called bylina, romances, dance-songs, and chastushki. Many songs in her repertoire are 200 and 300 years old. Victoria performed with "Barynya" for the first time in 2005.

Tuesday, April 24, 2007

z

Женя Шевченко легендарная исполнительница цыганских романсов

Фильм о Жене Шевченко "Zhenya! The Singing Legend" ("Женя! Поющая легенда") содержит интервью 2006 года в квартире певицы, интервью 2006 года в центральном парке в Манхеттене, а также видео с двух выступлений Жени Шевченко с нью-йоркским ансамблем Барыня (директор и основатель Михаил Смирнов).

Женя Шевченко благодарит всех, кто принимал участие в записи и создании этого проекта:

Музыканты: Лев Забежинский (балалайка), Шломо Лейдерман (фортепьяно), Геннадий Гуткин (баян), Алексей Синявский (балалайка, гитара), Михаил Смирнов (гармошка, гитара), Леонид Брук (балалайка контрабас), Сергей Рябцев (скрипка), Валерий Жмуд (скрипка), Руслан Хаин (контрабас); певцы: Сергей Побединский, Александр Меньшиков, Василий Янкович; танцоры ансамбля Барыня: Валентина Квасова, Ольга Шпитальная, Ганна Макарова, Виталий Вертерич, Михаил Нестеренко, Андрий Цыбик, Илья Панкратов, Наталья Ежова; камера: Александр Фейгин, костюмы: Светлана Гаврилова

Особая благодарность Алексею Синявскому ("As-Is Recording and Video Studios") и Михаилу Смирнову, продюссеру, основателю и руководителю ансамбля Барыня

order:
http://www.barynya.com/mp3/zhenia.htm

Monday, April 23, 2007

Daniel Cooper dance from "War and Peace" by Tolstoy

Somebody just sent me this question, if a dance that appears early in
the novel and movie "War and Peace" by Tolstoy is real, and if so,
what are its origins?

The dance is called the "Daniel Cooper". It certainly does not sound
Russian. Do you know anything about this, or do you have suggestions
about who could have information about this?

Thank you

Mikhail Smirnov
Russian dance and music ensemble Barynya
http://www.barynya.com

Thursday, April 5, 2007



It was a dangerous time for music in 1948 when Shostakovich was
completing his First Violin Concerto-during Stalin's regime, a month
after the notorious Zhdanov Decrees had censured the composer for
"bourgeois, formalist deviations." When he and other composers were
summoned before Zhdanov 's conference, his works were deemed to appeal
to "foreign bandits and imperialists." Still, it would be seven years
before the dedicatee, David Oistrakh, courageously premiered the
Violin Concerto. Two months later, he joined the New York Philharmonic
for its U.S. premiere. From ominous Nocturne to spectacular Burlesque,
it has become not only a virtuoso vehicle for the soloist but a
masterpiece for all time. Lisa Batiashvili, violinist, born in
Tbilisi , Georgia , will perform this demanding piece.


Join host Peter Schickele in an entertaining and insightful commentary
and musical examples to help you enjoy Shostakovich's "First Violin
Concerto" even more. A complete performance by the New York
Philharmonic follows.
Sakari Oramo, Conductor
Lisa Batiashvili, violinist
Peter Schickele, host


Shostakovich's "First Violin Concerto", Wednesday, April 11th at
6:45pm At Avery Fisher Hall
Tickets $24-$60
For information or tickets, visit
http://www.nyphil.org/insidethemusic3
or call 212-875-5656


Mikhail Smirnov
Ensemble Barynya
http://www.barynya.com

Monday, March 26, 2007

Slavic Spring Festival Washington, DC March 31, 2007

Slavic Spring Festival posterGeorge Washington University will be hosting the first Slavic Spring Festival in Washington DC. This celebration of Slavic culture and history, a meeting of Slavic representatives and officials, is unprecedented in scope. All are cordially invited to partake in a day of traditional Slavic cuisine, dance, and folk music. The feature performance will be the 2004 winner of Eurovision Song Contest, Ruslana! The public will be addressed by foreign ministers and ambassadors.

Initially, the festival concept envisioned an informal gathering for Slavic students and their respective embassies. However, thanks to the diligence and enthusiasm of the national representatives, the size of the guest list and level of prestige far exceeded the original scope of the project.

The festival is aimed at reaching unity through diversity and is a large undertaking combining the direction and input of the embassies of Belarus, Croatia, Czech Republic, Macedonia, Poland, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Ukraine. There will be ambassadors and prominent politicians from all corners of the Slavic world to reveal their unique national perspective and historical heritage. Members of Congress and various representatives of US government agencies will also be in attendance. Foreign and local mass media is welcome and encouraged to cover the event.

The festival will take place on the campus of the George Washington University, near the intersection of 21st Street and H Street NW from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM on March 31, 2007. The event will be open to the public and the admission will be free of charge.

Russian dance and music ensemble "Barynya" will be performing for one hour program with six dancers, three musicians and singer (full company).

If you would like more information about this event please visit www.scfcusa.org or to schedule an interview with The Slavic Cultural Festival Committee, please contact Andrew Mariyanich at 267-255-3631 or e-mail at andryxamar@gmail.com

Ensemble "Barynya" dancers and musiciains will be happy to see our friends at this free concert!!!

Thank you
Spasibo very much!

Mikhail Smirnov (Artistic director/Founder)
Russian dance and music Ensemble "Barynya"
www.barynya.com

It's Barynya Time!

Saturday, March 10, 2007

RUSSIAN ROMA MUSIC: Russian Gypsy Guitar Album by "Kolpakov Trio"

Moscow (Russia) based Russian Gypsy ensemble The Kolpakov Trio is the first group of the kind to tour North America in the post-socialist period. The striking style of the The Kolpakov Trio reflects the training of its members at world known Gypsy Theatre Romen from Moscow, which arranges traditional music and dance for polished stage performance.

Aleksander Kolpakov, the group's director, was born in 1943 in the district of Orienburg in Eastern Russia. He was raised with music among the Servo group of Roma and began playing the seven-string guitar as a boy. In the 1960s he moved to Moscow and has since worked with a number of groups, including the Romen Theatre. He is a composer as well as a singer and instrumentalist.


His nephew Vadim Kolpakov mastered the seven-string guitar, the vocal style and dance tradition of Russian Roma Gypsy music at an early age and is from the Saratov region of Russia. In 1992 he moved to Moscow to train with his uncle. He has toured internationally and recorded with the Kolpakov Trio, and in addition sings, dances and plays the guitar in his own group Via Romen, which he founded in the United States.



Tamara Cherepovskaia is a well-known Roma singer, and has toured in France, Italy, Georgia, Latvia, and America. She is highly in demand in the contemporary Moscow gypsy scene as a solo singer and dancer, and has collaborated in several recordings.


read full story, get free MP3 downloads at http://www.barynya.


thank you


Mikhail Smirnov

Ensemble Barynya

New York

Saturday, March 3, 2007

russian restaurant - Russian garmoshka music album

Garmoshka Russian traditional music album "Russian Restaurant" recorded by Mikhail Smirnov, performer, musician, folk singer, founder of New York based Russian dance and music ensemble Barynya in February 2007. Recording was made possible by singers-songwriters, Russian bard musicians Yuriy and Viktor Tenman from New York at their recording studio in Staten Island (Villa Nova Studio). If you ever attend a Russian party where people are singing, you will be able to recognize all the tunes from this album. The very first song that people will do together after a few drinks at the Russian wedding or Birthday party most likely will be "Moroz-Moroz" or "Gorochka". There is no singing on this album. Well, almost no singing... Album contains traditional Russian tunes: "Kalinka", "Moscow nights", "Korobushka" and other Russian favorite songs performed on Russian garmoshka.

Russian traditional Garmoshka music MP3 samples

Kogda b Imel Zlatye Gory ("What If I have had mountains of gold?")
Vinovata Li Ya ("Am I guilty if I am in love?")
Moroz, Moroz! ("Father Frost")
Subboteya ("Saturday Affair")

more at
http://www.barynya.com/mp3/garmoshka.htm

Sunday, February 18, 2007

MASLENITSA at the Embassy of Russia in Washington, DC

Ensemble Barynya provided music and dancing for the MASLENITSA at the Embassy of Russia in Washington, DC. It was a long drive from Brooklyn for all Barynya members:
Valentina Kvasova (dancer) http://www.barynya.com/kvasova.htm
Victoria Pichurova (singer) http://www.barynya.com/pichurova.htm
Alex Siniavski (balalaika, Gypsy guitar) http://www.barynya.com/alex.htm
Mikhail Smirnov (garmoshka, guitar) http://www.barynya.com/misha.htm
Vitaly Verterich (dancer) http://www.barynya.com/barynya/verterich.stm
Alexander Tseytlin (violin) http://www.barynya.com/learnrussian.htm
Ruslan Khain (contrabass) http://www.barynya.com/barynya/Ruslan_Khain.htm

Photo in new Russian Boyarsky costumes by Svetlana Gavrilova: http://ph.groups.yahoo.com/group/barynya/photos/browse/f1bf

Mikhail Smirnov
http://www.cossack.us

Monday, February 12, 2007

Russian singer (bass-barytone) Boris Kletinich from Montreal, Canada

Russian singer (bass-barytone) Boris Kletinich from Montreal, Canada was born in Moldova near Black Sea (the former USSR ). He was graduated from the University of Theater Art and Film of Moscow (Russia). During his military service, he was soloist of the Air Force Orchestra and Chorus of the Red Army. From the age of 19 years, competing with singers of 21 countries, he won the Grand Prix in the International Competition of the military songs. Prisoner of the Iron curtain during several years, he saw himself granted the right to go out of Soviet Union to the epoch of the Glasnost and the Perestroika.

He makes a series of concerts then. It is an impressive and successful performance in the prestigious Concert-Halls of New York, in Jerusalem, in Toronto and in Montreal (for the Jewish and Russian community). Boris Kletinich recorded several discs under tab "Melodiya" in Russia.

more info, mp3, photo at http://www.barynya.com/RussianSinger/BORIS_KLETINICH.htm

Thursday, February 8, 2007

slavic fest in Eugene, Oregon 2007 photos

Hello-Zdravstvuite-Privet-Hi!

January was completely crazy month for ensemble "BARYNYA". 25 shows performed in Oregon, Georgia, Canada, Pennsylvania and (of course) on Brighton Beach Avenue in Brooklyn, New York.

Some funny pictures and story from the Slavic Festival in January in Eugene, Oregon available athttp://www.barynya.com/photos/eugene2007/index.htm

Ensemble Barynya upcoming public performances:

Friday, February 9th, 2007 from 10:30pm to 2:30amRussian Children’s Welfare Society Ball "Petroushka" at The Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City. 301 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10022. Ball with dinner, dancing, vocal and balalaika performances; admission from $375. Morfe info: (212) 473-6263; www.rcws.org


Friday, February 16th, 2007 starting around 6pm "Maslenitsa Dinner" at the Embassy of the Russian Federation. www.russianembassy.org. 2650 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington DC, 20007. Tel: (202) 298-5700



Thursday, March 15th, 2007. Two 45 minute presentations: 9:30am, 10:30am. Folk dancer Andrij Cybyk, Alyosha Siniavski (balalaika, gypsy guitar), Misha Smirnov (garmoshka, guitar, vocal). James E Allen Learning Center. 762 Deer Park Rd, Dixhills, NY 11746



March 26-30, 2007 1 performance and 20 workshops 2 dancers, one musicians 2nd grade school in Westchester county


April 14, 2007 in the evening. Four dancers with 20 min set at the International Festival in Monmouth University of West Long Branch, NJ


Friday night, April 20, 2007 at New Providence Memorial Library. 377 Elkwood Avenue, New Providence, NJ 07974 phone: 908-665-0311. fax: 908-665-2319. email: library@newprov.org. web: www.newprovidencelibrary.org



Sunday afternoon, April 22, 2007. University of Rochester. Rochester, NY 14627. The First Unitarian Church in Rochester, NY



July 6th, 2007 1:45PMBarynya Russian Dance - Camp 2 dancers, one musicians 91 S Orange Ave @ Newark Academy Livingstone, NJ


Sunday, July 15th, 2007Russian BandNew Jersey1 hour concert


Wednesday, July 11th - Sunday, July 15th, 2007
Singer Alexander Menshikov and Mikhail Smirnov (Russian garmoshka) at The Balalaika and Domra Association of America 29th Annual Convention.Luther College, Decorah, Iowa

Saturday, February 3, 2007

Petroushka Ball Waldorf-Astoria New York City February 9th, 2007

The Petroushka Ball, a traditional Russian ball held annually in New York City is the primary fundraising event for The Russian Children's Welfare Society http://www.rcws.org/index.html

Started in 1965 by a group of descendants of Russian families whose intent was to raise funds to help to Russian children. Since then, the Ball has become one of New York Society's most vibrant and anticipated annual events, attracting upwards of 800 dinner and dancing guests.

The RCWS's 41st Annual Petroushka Ball was held on February 10, 2006 at the Waldorf-Astoria Grand Ballroom with Anna Netrebko and Rolando Villazon as our Guest Artists.

Russian Children's Welfare Society is pleased to report that the latest Petroushka Ball was a total artistic and financial success setting attendance and money raised records. We look forward to our 42nd Petroushka Ball scheduled for February 9, 2007.

Russian ensemble "Barynya" musicians and singers will be performing for the dancing pleasure of the Petroushka Ball attendees from 10pm till the end of the Ball http://www.barynya.com/index.htm

Barynya members and invited guests:
-----------------------------------
singer - Alexander Menshikov
http://www.barynya.com/menshikov.htm

balalaika, gypsy guitar - Alex Siniavski
http://www.barynya.com/alex.htm

garmoshka, guitar, vocal - Mikhail Smirnov
http://www.barynya.com/misha.htm

c-bass, balalaika contrabass - Ruslan Khainhttp://www.barynya.com/barynya/Ruslan_Khain.htm

violin - Sergey Riabtsev (Gogol Bordello)
http://www.barynya.com/riabtsev.htm

domra - Svetlana Nikonova (Washington Balalaika Society Orchestra)
http://www.balalaika.org/svetlana.htm

bayan - Vladimir Zakharevich (Washington Balalaika Society Orchestra)
https://mywebspace.wisc.edu/vfgorodi/bdaa2005/zakharevich.html


gypsy 7-string guitar - Vadim Kolpakov (VIA ROMEN)http://www.barynya.com/romen/kolpakov.htm


Friday, February 9th, 2007
Russian Children’s Welfare Society Ball "Petroushka"
The Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City.
301 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10022.
Ball with dinner, dancing, vocal and balalaika performances; admission from $375.
More info: (212) 473-6263; www.rcws.org

Thank you

Mikhail Smirnov, Artistic Director/Founder
Russian dance and music ensemble "Barynya" from New York
web: http://www.barynya.com
*************************
It's Barynya Time!

Friday, January 19, 2007

Brunswick, GA (Georgia Community College) January 19,20, 2007

Russian dance and music ensemble Barynya now in Georgia

Friday, January 19, 7:00 pm at the Brunswick Campus of Coastal Georgia Community College in the Southeast Georgia Conference Center. The address is 3700 Altama Ave, Brunswick, GA, 31520

Saturday, January 20, 2007, 7:00 pm at the Camden Center of Coastal Georgia Community College. We will be in the auditorium at this facility. The address is 8001 Lakes Boulevard, Kingsland, Ga 31548

Please stop by if you have time

Thank you
Mikhail Smirnov
www.barynya.com