Check out our evening party schedule!
Staro Selo
Staro Selo brings together all-star O.G.s of the American Macedonian izvoren scene—David Bilides (kaval), Jerry Kisslinger (tapan), and EEFC founder Mark Levy (gajda), joined by honorary O.G.s Kristina Vaskys and Adam Good (tamburas). They have performed and taught Macedonian village music for many decades and enjoyed opportunities to learn directly from such masters as Bajsa Arifovska, Pece Atanasovski, Željo Destanovski, Angele and Goce Dimovski, Nestor Georgievski, Mile Kolarov, Ljupčo Milenkovski, Stefče Stojkovski, and Dragi Spasovski. Their energy, rapport, and stylistic attention bring Macedonian traditions to life for dancers and listeners alike. Joining Staro Selo at Balkanalia! will be special guest vocalist Dragi Spasovski.
Veseljatsi
We are excited to welcome Bulgarian virtuosos Petar Usmifkata Aleksiev (gajda, from Chicago), Angel Dobrev (gudulka, also Chicago), and Valeri Georgiev (kaval, from Washington DC) to Balkanlia. They’ll form a band from our friends in the Bay Area Dan Auvil and Will Cope.
Gora Gora Orkestar
High-energy Balkan brass from Colorado! We’re excited to bring this Rocky Mountain ensemble to the Columbia Gorge for their first appearance at Balkanalia,