We are opening the Balkan Wednesday season with Bulgarika!
Bulgarika, on tour this fall, is a unique folklore band playing traditional music from all the Bulgarian regions.
Bulgarika Band, features these master musicians:
- Donka Koleva - vocals
- Nikolay (Kotata) Kolev - gadulka
- Stoyan (Piletu) Kostov - tambura
- Anton (Shekera) Shekerdjiev - tupan and kaba gaida
7:15-9:15PM Wednesday Sept 10
$20 admission
Doors open 7pm
Dancing with quick teaching as needed: 7:15-9:15pm
Info: 646-831-8720
FB event info:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1664116464251063
The season continues on Wednesdays through December.
Get your dancing shoes ready!!
All are welcome
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BULGARIKA Bulgarian Folk Band
Bulgarika is a unique folklore band playing traditional music from all the Bulgarian regions. Nikolay Kolev and Donka Koleva have invited two extraordinary musicians to join them for the 2025 tour: Stoyan Kostov on tambura and Anton Shekerjiev on tupan and kaba gaida.
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 (Kotata) 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.
Stoyan (Pileto) Kostov has been playing Bulgarian tambura for over 50 years. He graduated from the folk music school in Kotel and the Plovdiv Academy of Music and Dance. Stoyan performed with Ensemble Trakiya and played tambura with Harmanliska Troika, and guitar with the Ograzhden ensemble in Sandanski, where he also directed the “N. Vaptsarov” Folk Ensemble. Currently he lives in Phoenix, AZ.
Anton (Shekera) Shekerdjiev developed a deep appreciation for traditional music from a young age. Born into a family of musicians in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, his father's performances at weddings in the Thracian Valley instilled in him a profound understanding of the region's vibrant musical culture. He formed a Balkan music band with fellow Bulgarian musicians brothers Hristevi in Spain, touring extensively throughout the Iberian Peninsula. He relocated to the United States, where he formed the band Kyklo with an American musician deeply inspired by Balkan music. He is honored to be touring with Bulgarika.
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- Brief instruction for the dances
- Light snacks available
- Hosted by Michael Ginsburg
All are welcome
*Always* check Facebook before you come to confirm our events, particularly in the case of inclement weather. Or else call us if you don’t have access to Facebook. 646-831-8720
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Balkan Cafe Wednesdays is a live Balkan music venue where you can listen, dance, learn Balkan dances, have fun and get some good exercise all at the same time.
Near 3rd Ave
Free street parking opens up after 7 PM on the avenues
You can pay for time before that at some spots
Wednesdays are $20 per session
Drop-ins are always welcome
Info: 646-831-8720
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