BULGARIKA

Trans-Atlantic Bulgarian band

Bulgarika is a unique trans-Atlantic Bulgarian band playing the Thracian style of the legendary “Trakiiska Troika” from the 1960s and 1970s. Nikolay Kolev and Donka Koleva have invited two extraordinary musicians from Bulgaria to join them for the 2016 tour: kaval player Temelko Ivanov and tambura player Nikolay Kodzhabashev.

https://vimeo.com/106726644

Donka Koleva (vocals) is a native of the village of Tuzha in the Stara Zagora region of Thrace. She graduated from the National School of Folk Arts in Shiroka Luka, Bulgaria, and performed for three years with the Sliven Folk Dance and Music Ensemble. She was director of the Folk Song Chorus of Sopot, has been a featured soloist on Bulgarian Radio-TV, has participated in numerous singing competitions in Bulgaria and Europe and has been featured on numerous recordings. In 1997 her recording of Javore was named “Song of the Year” in the Bulgarian national radio competition. Since immigrating to the U.S. she has taught and performed widely across N. America, both privately and at numerous camps, festivals and other events. In addition to her vocal talents Donka serves as Bulgarika’s manager and has organized 12 national tours for the bands Kabile’, Cherven Traktor, Bulgarika and the Kolev Family Ensemble.

Nikolay Kolev (gadulka) 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 Luka, 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. Nikolay has accompanied many well-known singers including Vulkana Stojanova, Roumen Rodopski and Todor Kozhuharov. He has also taught many students at a number of Balkan camps in the U.S. 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 (kaval) has been a member of the renowned Trakia Ensemble since 1996. In 1990 he graduated with honors from the National Music School “Filip Koutev” and in 2000 from the Bulgarian National Conservatory with specialties in Conducting and Music Pedagogy. He subsequently received a Masters in Performance Arts from the Conservatory. He has served as a lecturer and jury panelist at multiple folklore seminars and competitions in Bulgaria.

Nikolay Kodzhabashev (tambura) is a soloist with the Sliven Folk Dance and Music Ensemble and a member of the Perla folk band (tambura, guitar). He graduated in 2005 from XI K. Konstantinov High School in Sliven with a music profile and in 2010 from the Bulgarian National Conservatory. In 2011 he received a Masters in Performance Arts from the Conservatory. He has received multiple awards in youth music competitions and won the First Place award of the “National Folk Competition for Tambura Performers Rusko Stefanov” in 2007 and 2009.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2016 – 7:30PM

CalTech Dabney Lounge (Building 40 across from Fairchild Library)

1200 E California Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91125

626-797-5157, 213-384-6622 franprevas@yahoo.com

Presented by Caltech Folk Dancers

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2016 – 8:00PM

Santa Barbara Folk Dance Club

Oak Park Dance Platform

300 W. Alamar, Santa Barbara, CA

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2016 – 7:30PM

Woman’s Club of Bellflower

9402 Oak St., Bellflower, CA

Julith 562-404-4383 562-881-9504

BULGARIKA

BULGARIKA

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