free Russian dance concert in New Jersey June 28 2008

The Universal African Dance & Drum Ensemble, and Barynya Russian dance and music ensemble

Saturday, June 28, 2008, 6:30PM
Burlington County Amphitheater
5 Pioneer Boulevard, Westampton, NJ 08060
Phone: (609) 265-5068

BARYNYA PERFORMERS: Dancers Natalia Ejova, Valentina Kvasova, Ganna Makarova, Andrij Cybyk, Alexey Maltsev, Mikhail Nesterenko, Mikhail Smirnov, Alexander Menshikov, Alex Siniavski, Leonid Bruk.



The Burlington County Freeholders invite residents to International Music Night at the amphitheater on Saturday, June 28, then return for the All American 4th of July Weekend shows on Friday, July 4 and Saturday, July 5.

All three performances at the spacious open-air amphitheater in Westampton are free and begin at 6:30 p.m.

International Music Night will feature both the Universal African Dance & Drum Ensemble, and the Russian music and dance ensemble Barynya.

The Universal African Dance & Drum Ensemble is one of the largest in the country. A versatile troupe that performs song, dance and drum from many sections of Africa, the group’s performances feature stilt walkers, dancers, drummers, ground masquerades and an acrobatic show.

Barynya features the best in Russian, Cossack and Ukrainian dance and music performers. The group began in 1991 in New York with accordion player Mikhail Smirnov, dancer Sasha Anchutin, and folk singer Natasha Demidova. Full company consist of eight dancers, six musicians and two singers. Artistic director Mikhail Smirnov. Barynya presents Russian, Cossack, Ukrainian, Russian Gypsy dancing, music, songs, virtuoso performances on balalaika, garmoshka (Russian folk button accordion), balalaika contrabass, bayan accordion, Gypsy guitar, violin, domra.

The All-American 4th of July Weekend at the amphitheater kicks off July 4 with the Joey Pucci band and Tom Sadge’s tribute to Neil Diamond.

Tom Sadge has been a professional entertainer over 30 years who has performed at venues all over North America, and opened for Kool and the Gang, Jackie Mason, The Guess Who, and Engelbert Humperdinck. On July 5, the Paul Holtzman Orchestra and the Swing Sisters will entertain, along with a special mystery guest. Performing together for more than a decade, the orchestra features musicians and retired music educators primarily from South Jersey who specialize in playing music from the Big Band Era.

The Swing Sisters’ show will includes tributes to the Andrews Sisters and the McGuire Sisters, followed by music from Broadway, the fabulous ‘50s and the sensational ‘60s. Laced with humor and seven costume changes, the performance will inspire plenty of nostalgia.

Located on Pioneer Boulevard off Woodlane Road in Westampton, the amphitheater is celebrating its fifth anniversary this year, and once again, free performances are planned for every Friday and Saturday evening, all summer.

Visitors are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs, but for the courtesy and safety of others, please do not set up chairs until after 4 p.m. Bottled water and refreshments will be sold during the shows. No alcohol, pets, or glass containers.

All performances are subject to change. In the event of inclement weather, some shows may move inside the library or the nearby Burlington County Institute of Technology.

For a complete list of this season’s performances and show times, go to www.co.burlington.nj.us. Free Burlington County Amphitheater 2008 Summer Season brochures are available at locations throughout the County, including the Burlington County Library in Westampton.

For more information, call the Division of Cultural Affairs and Tourism at (609) 265-5068.