Entertainment

This summer's Simply Slavic Heritage Festival will be featuring a rich and exciting line-up of ethnic performers, dancers, and musicians. The Wasko Stage will be presenting the music of celebrated folk ensemble Harmonia and the festival will once again be featuring; folk performers and musicians, and ethnic dance lessons for a real taste of Slavic tradition and heritage. Ethnic entertainment and music is scheduled to play well into the night.

Harmonia: Harmonia presents the traditional folk music of eastern Europe, ranging from the Danube to the Carpathians. Its repertoire reflects the cultures of this region: Hungarian, Slovak, Ukrainian, Romanian, Croatian and Gypsy. Performing on authentic folk instruments, and styled after turn of the century East-European Gypsy bands, their music is drawn from both the urban and rural traditions of Eastern-Europe. The ensemble's performances evoke the full range of human emotions; interspersing fiery, passionate virtuosity with soulful melancholy and nostalgic yearning. They have been called "obscenely talented" by the Folklore society of Washington D.C. and "a musical gem" by National Public Radio. The musicians come from varied East-European backgrounds; in Harmonia they have found a common musical language. Harmonia brings to the concert stage the vitality and excitement of ethnic weddings, celebrations, and smoky cafés that inspired composers such as Bartok, Brahms and Lizst. Whether performing in these traditional settings or in concert halls, Harmonia's members stay close to their roots. - From www.harmoniaband.com.

Del Sinchak Band: Having started his own band more than 60 years ago,Del Sinchak leads one of Youngstown’s most popular ethnic bands. His Slovenian-style polka combined with American-style favorites brings them out in droves. President of the Penn Ohio Polka Pals and the Youngstown chapter of the Federation of Musicians, Sinchak also has his own polka show for 13 years broadcasting on WKTX Cortland and WSOM in Youngstown, Ohio.

Mikey Dee Orchestra: The Mikey Dee Band, based in McKeesport, PA is well known to Mahoning Valley ethnic music enthusiasts. His music is a mix of southern Slavic and American favorites including waltzes, kolos and Polka standards, loved by all. Mikey Dee himself is the organizer of an annual multi-day international festival in held in his hometown of McKeesport.

Living Traditions Folk Ensemble: LTFE was created by Cathy and Tom Katrenich in 2000 to keep alive the Polish, Croatian and Carpatho-Rusyn dances, songs and culture of their ancestors by, first and foremost, involving and teaching our three children, and then other individuals, children, families, groups, and communities. The result is a colorful and joyful experience for both the performers and audience.

Youngstown Ukrainian Dancers: Under the direction of Fred Yasnowski, the Youngstown Area Ukrainian dancers displayed their amazing talents at the First Annual Simply Slavic Heritage Festival in Downtown Youngstown, Ohio on June 18, 2011 and we are pleased and honored to be welcoming them back for this year's festivities.

Happy Hearts Tamburiztans: A talented ensemble of folk artists dedicated to the performance and preservation of the music and songs of Europe and neighboring folk cultures.

Tamburaški Orkestar Noćne Sove (Night Owls Tamburitzans): Led by Jeff Mentzer, a self-taught tamburitza musician, and Angela White, granddaughter of the late Angie Zadravec, T.O. Noćne Sove plays a variety of Croatian, Serbian, and Macedonian favorites while incorporating music from many other countries and even several American tunes. Along with Jeff on prim, and Angela on bugarija, they are joined by Angela’s aunt Eileen on prim, and mom, Kathy on bass. The group has been performing at the Simply Slavic festival since its start in 2011, and look forward to it each year.

Lučina Slovak Folklore Ensemble: Since LÚČINA's inception in 1981, its purpose has been to educate and preserve the SLOVAK cultural heritage in Greater Cleveland, throughout the United States and abroad through historic folk song and dance. LÚČINA was formed as a result of founder and native Clevelander Tom Ivanec's interest and dedication to developing a successful SLOVAK folk dance ensemble in Northeast Ohio.

Slavjane Folk Ensemble: The Slavjane Folk Ensemble is a dynamic, dedicated group of 34 young performers from ages 4 to 18. Throughout the year they tirelessly rehearse and display their representation of the Slavic heritage and culture, especially that of the Carpatho-Rusyns. Founded in 1959 and incorporated since 1973 by "Mr. Slavjane" Jack Poloka (1938-2010), Slavjane has performed extensively in the Pittsburgh and tri-state areas. Slavjane has also performed at Epcot Center in Florida, in Washinton, DC, Rahway, NJ, Atlantic City, NJ, Baltimore, MD, and in the former Czechoslovakia - in the summer of 1992, Slavjane was the first Carpatho-Rusyn group from the United States to perform in the annual Medzilaborce Arts and Sports Festival.