Kolyada: Winter Songs from the Black Sea features performances from the Mila Vocal Ensemble, Orkestar Bez Ime, Nomadi and Peter O’Gorman. Kolyada is a program of  songs and folklore from Bulgaria, Ukraine, Russia, Romania, Turkey and the Republic of Georgia — all celebrating the great seasonal passage from darkness into light. 

The all-ages show offers traditional a cappella and accompanied songs, featuring folk instruments from the region.  Selections will include ancient songs learned by Mila Vocal Ensemble on a recent trip to the Republic of Georgia, modern arrangements of Romanian Colinde (carols) written by Orkestar Bez Ime violinist, Colleen Bertsch, and original compositions for the toaca, a semantron used by Orthodox priests to call parishioners to church, written and performed by percussionist, Peter O’Gorman. Orkestar Bez Ime and Nomadi, Balkan bands featuring native Bulgarian musicians and local artists, round out the show with instrumental and vocal music from Bulgaria, Turkey, Ukraine, and Russia.