took a little involuntary breather during the pandemic.
But the ensemble, in its 43rd year, is back with its Slavic Winter Concert on Saturday, Feb. 25.
The group, under the baton of Conductor Alexander Tentser, will join forces with the colorfully-costumed dancers, under the direction of Matthew and Joanna Schmit, and several local artists including Michael Markowitz, Chris Wald-Hopkins and Dan Nicolini, who will perform Scott Joplins Easy Winners and a Romanian Czardas on domra and balalaika.
Vocalists Guy Velgos, Kathleen Schwarztman and Grayson Hirst, the operatic tenor and former University of Arizona voice professor, will be featured in spirited vocal works including the classic Nelson Eddy song At the Balalaika.
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Saturdays concert celebrates Arizona Balalaika Orchestras 43rd anniversary. Mia Bulgarin Gay started it in 1980 as a way to showcase the wide spectrum of Slavic music and dance, both classical and folk.
Orchestra musicians perform on authentic instruments, including the triangular balalaika, the mandolin-like domra, accordion, winds and percussion.
Saturdays program includes traditional music and dance from Ukraine, Poland, Russia and other Slavic countries. It begins at 7:30 p.m. at St. Cyril of Alexandria Church, 4725 E. Pima St. Admission is $15 at the door. Details: .
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