In 2014-15, MBAW will introduce kids to Spanish Flamenco, Russian balalaikas, Mediterranean Baroque, Jewish traditional and Argentinian Tango ( artists TBA)
A true jewel of the Texas performing scene, Austin Troubadours is an international group of musicians that is dedicated to reviving the beauty of musical masterpieces from Medieval and Renaissance Europe thru performing dances and songs in period costumes with more than 30 authentic period instruments. Founded in 2008 in Austin, Texas by the award-winning lutenist and early music specialist Slobodan Vujisic, a veteran of the European early music scene. Prior to relocating to the United States, Slobodan recorded numerous CD’s and gave over 1,000 performances with his “Ensemble Renaissance”, including such important international venues and programs as Schauspielhaus in Berlin, St. Marten Theatre in Paris, and the Dubrovnik International Music Festival. austintroubadours.com
Entreflamenco company was founded by Antonio Granjero in 1998. Based originally in Madrid, Spain, the company traveled throughout the Iberian Peninsula being presented in places such as the Palau de la Musica de Barcelona, Festival de Verano de la Communidad de Madrid and Ciclos Culturales de Alcala de Henares (Madrid). Later, the company has traveled throughout the United States and Central America performing in Houston Hobby Center (Houston, TX), Charline McCombs Empire Theatre (San Antonio, TX), Festival Flamenco de Santa Barbara (Santa Barbara, CA) and Teatro National de Panama (Panama City, Panama).The company debuted FLAMENCO PARA 4 ESTACIONES in the Sterling Houston Theatre in San Antonio, Texas. This production was recognized by the San Antonio Express News as the “The best of Dance of 2009.” This production also was presented in association with the Pan American Dance Institute and New Mexico State University Dance Program at the Rio Grande Theatre in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Entreflamenco has been named the resident company of the city of Santa Fe, New Mexico at the Maria Benítez Cabaret beginning in the summer of 2014. The mission of Entreflamenco is to promote, share and educate the public about the history and evolution of Flamenco culture through music and dance performance. Entreflamenco is sponsored by Spanish Danzart society, a Texas non-profit organization. www.entreflamenco.com
The Flying Balalaika Brothers consists of three famous representatives of Russian Balalaika school. The Original Flying Balalaika Brothers were formed in Los Angeles in 1995 by Zhenya Kolykhanov (a.k.a. Z Rock), the former lead guitarist of the Russian surf/rockabilly group Red Elvises. The group started as a street band and later transformed into the group Red Elvises; which had a large history of performing for clubs, motion pictures, and TV shows in California. After Zhenya set up shop in Austin, he reestablished The Flying Balalaika Brothers. The band represents a blend of traditional world music and original Russian-infused musical pieces. The group has found a perfect home in the musically rich culture of Austin, Texas. www.russiafbb.com
The NYC-based Metropolitan Klezmer sextet approaches tradition with irreverence and respect. The soulful, fun-loving powerhouse all-women’s klezmer has toured from Vienna to Vancouver since 1998. Band repertoire ranges from rambunctious to entrancing: neo-traditional folk dance, Yiddish swing & retro tango, late Soviet-era Jewish drinking songs and genre-defying originals. Metropolitan Klezmer concert footage has been broadcast on CBS & CNN. Band mates were profiled by NPR’s Hey Ladies project. The band also made studio recordings of Klezmer arrangements for double platinum, Grammy-nominated Scissor Sisters, and performed at the special request of artist Kiki Smith for the dedication of her new stained glass window at the Eldridge Street Synagogue. metropolitanklezmer.com
Zoya Altmark & Michael Nadtochi have an international reputation as instructors, performers and choreographers of Argentine Tango and now they are sharing their mastery, passion and magic. Together they have been one of the lead couples at Malbec & Tango House NYC – the first authentic nightly Argentine Tango show produced in the US. Both Russian-born dancers have professional training in classical ballet and gymnastics from Moscow. By the age of eighteen, Michael’s success as a competitor in the global ballroom dance scene granted him the Russian National Youth Champion. By the age of nine, Zoya was the youth Russian ice-skating champion in Moscow. At the age of ten, her family relocated to Israel, where she became the dance National Champion. In 2008, she was one of the performers on “Dancing with the Stars” and became Argentine’s Vice Champion of the Tango Salon category at the National competition in San Francisco. With extensive travels all over Europe; France, Germany, England, Denmark, and Norway to name a few, Michael earned international recognition as a Ballroom Latin Dance competitor. In 1998, Zoya and Michael were awarded the title of “Top U.S. National Dance Couple of the Year” in the United States. They are more than a couple- when they dance, they transform themselves into a single spirit to express desire, passion, love and sadness. Their performances have been enthusiastically embraced by audiences and presenters from all over the world; thus they were able to achieve recognition in the world of Argentine Tango receiving outstanding nationwide reviews from critics.
