Russian Speakers Society of Austin presents
RUSSIAN SPRING FESTIVAL
GYPSIES
Russian Speakers Society of Austin presents Houston-based group THE GYPSIES and Austin-based FLYING BALALAIKA BROTHERS
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WHEN: Saturday, April 6, 2013, at 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Unity Church of The Hills, 9905 Anderson Mill Rd, Austin, TX 78750
This concert would bring the famous “The Gypsies” from Houston to collaborate with the highly acclaimed Austin group, “Flying Balalaika Brothers”.
The Russian Speakers Society has presented Russian Winter and Spring Fest concerts during the last 12 seasons. The society has presented various Russian musicians and artists to the Austin public, entertaining audiences of Eurasian ancestry as well as from other ethnic backgrounds.
“Polyethnic” best describes The Gypsies, Houston’s award winning European-style strolling and ethnic dance band. Voted “Best Traditional/Ethnic” band by the Houston Press, they have dominated this corner of the city’s live music scene since 1974.
Led by the “King of Gypsies,” Texas musician and Eastern European folklorist Greg Harbar, of “The Gypsies” is Houston’s band for all seasons and virtually all occasions. Mr. Harbar has amassed a collection of several thousand records and hundreds of massive binders of songs from every conceivable European ethnic breakdown.
This versatile band plays Eastern European, Swing, Klezmer, French, Italian, British Isles, German, Polish-American, Czech, Norteno, Cajun and Zydeco, Country, Solid Gold Oldies, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean, and Tropical styles of music. They play balalaikas, accordions, violins, mandolins, guitars, banjos, bouzouki, a full array of horns and ethnic percussion, and a wide variety of other folk instruments. From lively parties with Russian ballet dancers and jam sessions with members of the State Folk Ensembles of Russia and Hungary, to cruises down Buffalo Bayou, The Gypsies play an intriguing assortment of engagements.
They regularly play galas, balls, fund-raisers, grand openings, Opera and Symphony festivities throughout Texas, and at parties entertaining visiting royalty. Their travels include appearances in Austria, France and Germany and on a U.S. tour with the Bulava Cossack Dance Ensemble, an extended engagement on a Caribbean cruise, and appearances at festivals throughout Texas.
The second part of the concert would present the local innovative music of the Gypsy-Russian group, “The Flying Balalaika Brothers”, as well as a joint presentation of Eastern European classical, traditional, and folk music performed on indigenous and acoustic instruments. This concert will ensure the survival and connections of Gypsy music with Russian, Ukrainian, Bulgarian, Romanian, Latino, Balkan, and Middle Eastern music, played on traditional instruments, creating the sounds that were prevalent when the classical composers produced their work. The “Flying Balalaika Brothers” will perform a mix of Russian and Gypsy’s folk music in colorful costumes, melded with American bluegrass and contemporary international acoustic styles.
This project is funded and supported in part by the City of Austin through the Economic Growth & Redevelopment Services Office/Cultural Arts Division and Texas Commissioner for the Arts believing an investment in the Arts is an investment in Austin’s future. Visit Austin at NowPlayingAustin.com.
INFORMATION: 512-335-4449 / www.rusaustin.com
ADMISSION:
Adults – $20 • Seniors, Students, Children age 12 to 17 – $10 • Children under 12 – Free
