Bulgarian night

Tonight's Bulgarian Night features one of the first events planned for 2005 by the newly formed Bulgarian Association at Duke (BAD). The celebration boasts a special 4 in 1 program: traditional folk music band in national costumes, free Balkan food, beginner Bulgarian dance lessons and an informal party with a Balkan-music-mix to cap it off.

Surprisingly enough, the performing Traditional Folk Music Band is not Bulgarian at all. Formed in 1996, the Medovina Bulgarian Bitov Band consists of three Americans who love Bulgarian folk music. They met while spending a few summer vacations at the East European Folklife Center s Balkan Music and Dance Workshops here in the US, taking traditional Balkan music and dance lessons. To sharpen their skills, the band members also visited the renowned National Folklore Festival in Koprivstitsa, Bulgaria, famous as a hub for some of the best folklore-music amateurs and professionals.

The group consists of Judy Stafford and the family of Kostya and Robin LaPasha. Stafford and Robin LaPasha are both Duke alumni. Stafford sings in the vocal styles of several musically distinct Bulgarian regions, as well as beats the traditional two-headed drum. Kostya LaPasha has studied kaval (end-blown flute) with a professor from the Bulgarian Music Academy and Robin LaPasha plays Bulgarian tambura (guitar-style lute) and adds vocal harmonies. If you are interested in music and have no idea what these instruments sound and look like, you have the opportunity to see them tonight in-action along with the performer's traditional Bulgarian costumes.

The Bulgarian Night will also star Georgi Doichev on Thracian gaida (bagpipe). Doichev is a former musician from the most distinguished national ensemble in Bulgaria, Philip Koutev. He also founded the Bulgari Ensemble, which has had several U.S. tours (including appearances in previous Living Traditions Duke Performances series).

The Bulgarian Night will take place at 9 p.m. in the Great Hall.