11th Annual Slavic Choral Christmas Concert

with Lowiczanie Polish Folk Ensemble

Friday, December 12, 7:30PM

Church of The Nativity, 240 Fell Street, San Francisco, 415-252-5799

$15 in advance, $18 at the door

http://11ccc.brownpapertickets.com

http://www.polishfolk.org

http://polishclubsf.org

“Lowiczanie Polish Folk Ensemble presents the 11th annual Slavic Choral Christmas Concert, a rich tapestry of seasonal carols and winter songs of East-Central Europe and the Balkans, featuring traditionally costumed Community artists from the Bulgarian, Croatian, Hungarian, Jewish, Moldovan, Polish, and Ukrainian Bay Area populations.

The Slavic Choral Christmas Concert presents powerful to the lighted-hearted performances based on the rich fabric of East and Central-European and Balkan folk and sacred holiday music. The repertoire encompasses a multitude of mesmerizing styles ranging from simple folk themes (pastorals) to close-harmonized sacred carols – all presented by Community Artists. The annual joyful Concert finale features over 60 artists onstage to lead a rousing audience sing-a-long of both European and American carols. The event’s Central European holiday marketplace atmosphere is enhanced by seating under hand-hewn shingle ‘huts’, spicy aromas of mulled cider and wine – one complimentary glass per ticket holder – and the opportunity to purchase handcrafted artisan gifts.

Lowiczanie Polish Carolers and Kuzyni Band, both directed by Piotrek Filipowski

Lowiczanie Folk Band with soloist Natalia Ukrainska present trans-Carpathian winter songs

Ukrainian Bay Area Carolers, Halyna Lorczak, director

Bulgarian Koledari Group, Tanya Kostova, director

Hungarian Holiday Chorus, Jutka Mandoki, director

The winter holiday traditions of the Jewish peoples of Hungary are presented by Jutka Mandoki and Barbara Deutsch.

Soloists Anna Samborska-Young and Lilla Serlegi with Frenc Tobak on traditional folk instruments, present carols from Poland and the Croatian peoples of Hungary, respectively.

The two-hour program is visually beautiful – highlighted by traditional ethnic dress of the participating Slavic communities – and enriched by the virtuoso musical talents on display: Lowiczanie’s folk orchestra (Kapela) features Susan Worland on violin, Nicolai Prisicar on accordion and Roman Titcu, formerly of the internationally-renowned band, Roma, (both are originally from Moldova) on cimbalom. Other musical surprises feature artists from of Bulgarian, Croatian, and Jewish backgrounds.”