Performer Bios
Last year's performers include:
Formed in April of 2006, The Ishtar Band is a five piece band from Pittsburgh that specializes in traditional bellydance songs from the 1920's through 1970. While Ishtar focuses primarily on Turkish music, they also perform songs from the Balkans, Greece, Spain, Israel and Egypt. Around the Pittsburgh area, Ishtar has played in such varied venues as rock clubs, Middle Eastern restaurants, nightclubs, jazz bars and art galleries. Ishtar features Melissa Murphey on clarinet, Rob Metil on Fender Stratocaster guitar, Mark DeFilippo on darbuka, Beth DeFilippo on riq and Jeff Chmielarski on fretless electric bass. For more information visit www.ishtar-music.com or www.myspace.com/ishtarmiddleeast.
Kardelen Turkish Dance Ensemble is a group of dancers dedicated to promoting the culture of Turkey through dances from the region. Kardelen Dance Ensemble takes its name from a resilient Anatolian mountain flower that survives under hardship and severe weather circumstances. The group members are committed to helping underprivileged children in developing countries who survive under difficult circumstances, just like the Kardelen flower, and therefore donate a portion of revenues to organizations that are engaged in the education and health of children. For more information visit: www.kardelendance.com
The Bluestar Dance Troupe was founded almost a year ago? by the leadership of Zeki Maviyildiz who has been sharing his vast experience and talents with his friends. Despite being a relatively new dance group, Bluestar Dance Troupe introduced Turkish Folk Dances to many audiences. They present a variety of Turkish folk dance pieces from traditional dances to modern choreographies, keeping the spirit of the dance. Bluestar Dance Troupe is currently based in Raleigh, North Carolina. For more info visit: www.bluestardance.com
Silk Road Dance Company
The award-winning Silk Road Dance Company (SRDC) presents traditional and contemporary women's dances from the Middle East, Central Asia, and the Caucasus. Founded by Artistic Director Laurel Victoria Gray in 1995, the ensemble's performances offer a unique glimpse into the life, culture, and art of little-known regions. SRDC has won deep respect from the members of the communities represented by the company's repertoire. They were the first American dance ensemble to receive an invitation to perform in Samarkand, Uzbekistan at the UNESCO-sponsored Sharq Taronalari International Festival; they were also the subject of a special on Uzbek television. SRDC has performed at events for the Embassies of Egypt, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkey and Russia, and is frequently engaged by numerous cultural organizations in the local Middle Eastern community. For more information visit: www.silkroaddance.com For more information visit: www.silkroaddance.com
Ismail Lumanovski was born in Bitola, Macedonia to a Turkish Romani family. Ismail began playing the clarinet at age nine. His expressiveness and technical skill in both western classical and Balkan folk music have distinguished him even among clarinetists twice his age. Ismail plays with several New York-area bands and performs at concerts and Balkan weddings all over the country, while attending the Juilliard School where he studies with Charles Neidich.
Ever since its creation in 1998 by several devoted Turkish/Turkish-American individuals, Washington, DC Turkish Folk Dance Troupe has been a part of numerous social, educational, cultural, and recreational events. With over 60 performances on its record, the troupe continues to grow both in terms of size and repertoire. Anyone, regardless of past dance experience, is welcome in the group. The troupe, as a whole, serves for the purpose of promoting and broadening the awareness of Turkish culture in the U.S. through performances of various Turkish folk dances; whereas, from the individual's standpoint, it is a friendly and social environment where the learning and teaching of Turkish folk dances are made possible through voluntary work. The troupe meets every Sunday afternoon to practice. For more information, please visit www.turkfolkdc.org
For more information visit: www.ilhanozulu.com
Aleksandrija Macedonian Folk Dance Ensemble (KUD Aleksandrija) was established in 2007 at St. Nikola Totowa, NJ Macedonian Orthodox Church by young formal dancers in Macedonian dance groups. Through the beautiful dances and songs the young very talented dancers represent the Macedonian culture, tradition, and the hard life of the Macedonian people. KUD Aleksandrija works very hard to perfect every step in their Macedonian Dance. In the short time of existence KUD Aleksandrija presented their self as well as the Macedonian folklore and tradition in many cities across the United States, locally at colleges, different events and other churches throughout America. Every time they dance, you see "Aleksandrija" put in 100% of their hearts into it as they work the crowd. They are looking forward to the Turkish Festival, and hope that you will enjoy their performance.
The New York Gypsy All-Stars Band showcases some of New York City's finest musicians playing jazz-inflected Turkish, Balkan and Mediterranean Romani (Gypsy) songs with a personal touch as well as original pieces. These musicians have performed with such world music icons as Turkish clarinet master Husnu Senendirici, and Bulgarian masters Ivo Popasov and Yuri Yanakov.
The group is the brainchild of Serdar Ilhan, producer of the New York Gypsy Festival, which offers a broad perspective on various styles of Gypsy music and dance against the backdrop of New York City, which is essentially a Gypsy at heart.
Nomad Dancers, a collective inspired by traditions of India, Persia, Central Asia and Turkey, travelling across borders and bridging cultures in search of the ultimate dance experience. Appeared recently at the concert "Triveni: Three Rivers" presented by Indian Dance Educators Association of Greater Washington, DC. Past appearances include "Shared Rhythms" at Jack Guidone Theater, Washington, DC; Herdeljezi Festival, Adelphi, Maryland; Skyline Showstoppers at Bishop Ireton High School, Alexandria, VA. Making their first appearance at Turkish Festival DC, and inviting everyone to celebrate "Norooz Around The World," March 21, 2010, 8 p.m. at Bishop Ireton HS, featuring New Year traditions of Turkey, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Iraq, Uzbekistan, and Xinjiang Province, China, with internationally renowned guest artists.
Turku Band plays music from the western half of the Silk Road. They have played for audiences as large as 8000 people and as far away as Samarkand, Uzbekistan since 1998. Their music has received radio play as far away as Portugal and Uzbekistan. South Carolina Public Television has shown Turku's performances on many occasions. The members of Turku live in the Carolinas of the USA. Turku is a five member ensemble including: Ted Monnich on saz, Farzad on violin, Daveed Korup on hand drums, Denys Proteau on kaval and cumbus, Carla Monnich on davul and zils. For more information on Turku, please visit: www.turkumusic.com