Bulgarika

Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 day of show (plus applicable service charges). 21 and over unless accompanied by parent or legal guardian. Limited seating available.

The music of Bulgaria, a country long considered a cultural crossroad, is known for hauntingly expressive melodies, irregular rhythms, and fiery dance tempos. Now some of the country's finest musicians have formed Bulgarika ("things Bulgarian"). Gadulka virtuoso Nikolay Kolev, internationally renowned singer Donka Koleva, and accordionist extraordinaire Ivan Milev together provide an evening of high-energy, musical acrobatics that will have you dancing in your seat.

NIKOLAY KOLEV (gadulka) is a famous Gadulka virtuoso from the village Karavelovo in the Rose Valley of Bulgaria. After graduating from Shiroka Luka High School, he performed with the Sliven Ensemble for three years. In 1984, he founded the orchestra Sopot. In the same year, he started the wedding band Rozova Dolina, which became one of the most sought-after groups in Thrace. In 1992, he also founded Balkanski Glasove, the singing group which took first place at the Varna Festival in 1994 and 1995. Nikolay is also an accomplished composer and arranger of folk songs. His compositions have been performed by such well-known singers as Roumen Rodopski, Savka Sarieva, Donka Koleva and many others. Nikolay Kolev has taught at EEFC Balkan Camps on both coasts and has an adoring cadre of private students. In 1999 Nikolay Kolev was the first Bulgarian to be recognized by the Slavic Heritage Council of America for his outstanding contributions in music.

DONKA KOLEVA (vocals) is a vocalist prized for her rich, clear, and melodic voice.  A graduate of the Folklore High School in Shiroka Luka, she worked as a soloist with the Sliven Ensemble for three years. She then directed the chorus of the Sopot Ensemble, and soloed with the wedding band Rozova Dolina. In 1994 Donka started recording with National Radio and Television in Bulgaria. In 1997 her recording of "Javore" was song of the year. Since she moved to the U.S. in 1995, she has performed traditional and arranged songs from Thracian Bulgaria at music camps throughout the U.S. Donka teaches workshops and private lessons across the United States and Canada with well-known singing groups such as Kitka, Planina, Chubritsa, Mila, and many others. 

MARIA KOLEVA (vocals) was born in 1982 in Karlovo in the Rose Valley of her native Bulgaria. She started singing at the age of 10, always being closely related to the music and folk traditions of her region and country. Her first stage appearance took place in 1993 at the Rose Festival in Karlovo. While studying at the Shiroka Luka High School of Folk Music she received honors and musical awards including top prizes at the Teen Folk Music Festival at Albena, as well as recognition at the Chirpan and Plovdiv Music Festivals in 1996 and 1997. Maria Koleva moved to the USA at the age of 16. Since then she toured USA and Canada twice, performing intensively on festivals, concerts and summer camps. She has also been performing with Kolev Family Ensemble "Balkan Voices" for the last 6 years. She is currently residing in New York City performing with Ivan Milev's "Balkan Band." Maria Koleva has been recognized for her great expressive singing and truly melodic and rich tone. Although she sings the traditional music of many Bulgarian regions, she is most celebrated for her stunning performance of Thracian songs.

IVAN MILEV (accordion) is a landmark of contemporary Balkan folk music. Throughout his 40-plus year career as an accordion player in Bulgaria, he established the rules for Balkan folk music. His style fuses classical, jazz, Eastern European, and Middle Eastern music. Milev comes from a clan of famous folk musicians, learning the intricacies of Bulgarian folk music from his father, Atanas Milev, a renowned and innovative folk accordionist. In 1978 Ivan created his own orchestra, which performed at festivals, fairs, in concerts, and on Bulgarian national television. Ivan's exquisite performance and charisma won him many awards and gained him widespread popularity. With his band Ivan has defined the famous wedding music culture in the Balkan region since the 1970's. Ivan toured the U.S. in 2001 with saxophonist Yuri Yanakov. His playing can be heard on the soundtrack of "Everything is Illuminated," a widely acclaimed independent movie featuring Elijah Wood and directed by Liev Schreiber. In 2006 Ivan Milev Band recorded its debut album, "The Flight of Krali Marco." 

The Cooperage is a full service restaurant/nightclub specializing in steak & seafood, with a large salad bar, good desserts and a full bar. 

The Kolev family play traditional Bulgarian music in a lot of combinations and it's been hard to find a video that matches what is coming to town. Your best approximation is to mentally combine these two groups into a funky foursome.