Gala Concert at Merkin Hall, Kaufman Music Center
To mark the historical breakthrough that, more than a century ago, brought all Romanian provinces together in one, unified state, join us at Merkin Concert Hall on December 6 (7:30 p.m.) for an evening of exceptional music and gastro-cultural discoveries. The event features Taraf de Chicago, a multinational ensemble fronted by Romanian-American singer and visual artist Ana Everling, best known for their original arrangements that invest singalong Romanian folk melodies with American tonalities to create an electrifying musical melting pot. The concert will be followed by a reception with Romanian-American fusion cuisine.
The event is organized by the Consulate General of Romania in New York, the Romanian Cultural Institute in New York, and the Permanent Mission of Romania to the United Nations.
Entrance is free, but booking is required. Please order your free tickets HERE.
ABOUT THE PERFORMERS
Formed in Chicago in 2019, Taraf de Chicago sprang out of Ana Everling's love for Romanian folklore - carols, merry songs, wedding laments, doinas, dance music, children tunes, infused with tales, riddles, proverbs and old sayings predominantly from Ana's native region, Bessarabia. While the basic scores are Romanian melodies, the instrumentation brings a strong American influence, replacing the traditional cimbalom with the banjo, the accordion with the piano and electric guitar, and adding instruments like clarinet, saxophone or various percussion instruments.
Thanks to a grant offered by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, the group will soon release “Taraf de Chicago - a Moldovan Fantasia”, an album that will also include music written by Romanian national composers and poets, rendered in original arrangements.
Taraf de Chicago are:
Ana Everling - vocals, percussion, guitar;
Olya Prohorova - violin, vocals;
Adrien Chevalier - violin;
Patrick Donley - guitar, banjo, piano, vocals, percussion;
Alex Brescanu - whistle, caval, vocals;
Kitt Lyles - bass, vocals.
Please follow Merkin Hall COVID 19 policies HERE. All guests are strongly encouraged, but not required, to wear a mask while in Merkin Hall.
Update: EVENT PHOTO GALLERY
Photo credit: Johnny Vacar