The first time you hear “Mundo Chochek” by Boban I Marko Markovic Orkestar, you are guaranteed to start dancing your feet off. This twelve-piece ensemble is taking the stage at this year’s Ethnic Arts Festival on July 19th, and will definitely be a great way to end your Saturday afternoon at the majestic Dawes Park. Originating from Vlacidin Han, Yugoslavia, the Orkestar has remained the leading band in all of Serbia (since the late 80’s!). Aside from traveling all over the world (sold-out tours!) and receiving prestigious awards for their talented group, Boban and Marko of the Orkestar are father and son, which makes for a unique close-knit relationship within the ensemble. Marko, now the lead singer and arranger for the Orkestar, is only 20 years old, and has already broadened his horizons to acting in Serbia in “Gucha! The Distant Trumpet,” where he also plays most of the music on the accompanying soundtrack.
Boban I Marko Markovic Orkestar’s CD “Go Marko Go” recently hit stores this past November through their record label Piranha Music, and has since received praise from numerous media sources. The Jazz Review recently reviewed them, saying that their music is “...delightfully disorienting, scintillatingly surreal, like an aural mirage of something strange and beautiful. You think there’s nothing "new" and/or unusual to listen to "out there"? Guess again.”
If you think one live performance of this extraordinary ensemble isn’t enough, check them out at the Pitchfork Music Festival the day after (July 20th), only you’ll have to pay a small fee. On the other hand, the Ethnic Arts Festival is 150% free and features oodles and oodles of artist vendors and live entertainment! So don’t forget to bring your dancing shoes on July 19th and 20th to the year’s most culturally diverse festival!
This is Kristina signing out...
Friday, June 6, 2008
Father and Son Make the Orkestar Shine
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Irish Dancing Brings Self-Confidence and Team Spirit to Tully's Students
A combination of colorful costumes and endless talent make the Sheila Tully School of Irish Dance a must-see spectacle for the whole family at this year’s Ethnic Arts Festival.
Sheila Tully and her Irish dance academy can easily be considered a second family for many. Not only has she instructed Irish dancing for over 40 years, but she has also instilled basic skills like self-confidence, discipline, and team spirit into each talented student. Tully is a former champion Irish dancer and began teaching in her mother’s basement in Chicago. She specializes in early education, and has always had a knack for patiently instructing students as young as four years old the fundamentals of Irish dancing. It’s because of her concern with each child’s learning needs that has led her to develop a brilliant group of talented students that have accomplished countless accolades across the nation.
From performing at the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Chicago to being featured in the hit movie “The Fugitive” to competing in the World Championships in Ireland, Tully’s school has achieved so much over the past 40 years, and we are thrilled to have them perform on Sunday July 20th at 1:00 pm at the picturesque Dawes Park!
This is Kristina signing out…
From Bharatanatyam to Shakira – Kalapriya Delivers
“Like brilliantly colored flowers bouncing and gracefully waving their petals in a sunny breeze, the lovely dancers of Kalapriya dazzle with enchanting beauty. Their richly colored clothing, intriguing facial expressions, exquisite mudras (hand gestures) and intricate choreography . . . weave a spellbinding display of form, movement and sound.”
The Artistic Director of Kalapriya, Pranita Jain, has quite the interesting background. Trained at Center for Indian classical dances in New Delhi, India, she studied for nine years with one of India’s leading Bharatanatyam dancers. In 1985 she relocated to the U.S. to obtain a Masters degree in dance ethnography from the University of Illinois. Still returning to India regularly, she has performed nationally and internationally and has conducted numerous workshops throughout the United States. Jain has also helped recently to teach and choreograph Shakira for the MTV video music award ceremony at Radio City Music Hall.
So don’t miss this amazing dance group perform at 5:45 July 19th on the Family Stage at the Evanston Ethnic Arts Festival!
