Barynya Balalaika Orchestra led by Mikhail Smirnov provided live music entertainment for 55th Annual Petroushka Ball at the historical Plaza Hotel {768 5th Ave, New York, NY 10019} on Friday, February 7th, 2020. Petroushka Ball (Russian: Бал Петрушка) is a traditional Russian ball held annually in New York City at the Plaza Hotel in the beginning of February. It is the primary fundraising event for the Russian Children's Welfare Society, organization which is dedicated to assisting disadvantaged Russian children, to improve their health, education, and social welfare. First Petroushka Ball took place in 1965 as a small Tea Dance by a group of descendants of Russian families whose intent was to raise funds to help Russian children. Since then, the Petroushka Ball has become one of New York Society's most vibrant and anticipated annual events, attracting upwards of 700 dinner and dancing guests. Cast of ensemble Barynya musicians and singers in 2020 included: Mikhail Smirnov (band leader, guitar, garmoshka, vocals), Elina Karokhina (balalaika), Leonid Bruk (balalaika-contrabass), Yaroslav Bell (violin), singer Irina Zagornova, Sergey Gurbeloshvili (saxophone), Igor Lutsev (drums), and Vlad Barskiy (keyboard). The Barynya Balalaika Orchestra led by Mikhail Smirnov performed at the Petroushka Ball for number of years: 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2009, 2008, 2007, and 2006.
During the Petroushka Ball musicians of Barynya Balalaika Orchestra performed many songs including Moscow Nights («Подмосковные вечера»), Katyusha («Катюша»), «Дунайские волны», Ukrainian song «Пiдманула», «Besa Me Mucho», Name Day Waltz («На сопках Манчжурии»), «А вы, сени мои, сени», «В лесу прифронтовом», Burnt By The Sun («Утомленное солнце»), Vengerka («Цыганочка»), Waltz «Ночь светла над рекой», Barynya («Барыня»), Two Guitars («Две гитары»), Tango «Ревность», The Moon Is Shining («Светит месяц»), Waltz «Осенний сон», Tango «Как много девушек хороших», «Yesterday», Those Were The Days My Friend («Дорогой длинною»), Gypsy song «Гори, гори, любовь цыганки», «Стюардесса по имени Жанна», «Вальс Бостон», «Крутится, вертится шар голубой», «Тройка», «Lara’s Theme», Tango Dark Eyes («Ах, эти черные глаза»), Rock-n-Roll «Рок-н-рол», Sailor's Dance («Яблочко»), Dark Night («Темная ночь»), «Где-то на белом свете», Ural Mountain Dance («Уральская плясовая»), «La Kum Parsita», «Московские окна», «Тумбалалайка», «Кадриль с выходом», Tango «Журавли», Ukrainian song «Маруся, раз, два, три», «Рябина кудрявая», Tango «Брызги шампанского», Waltz «Одинокая гармонь», Ukrainian «Гопак», «Живёт моя отрада», «Чубчик кучерявый», «Смуглянка-молдаванка», Tango «Осень - прозрачное утро», Karapet («Девочка Надя»), Dark Eyes («Очи Чёрные»), «Черные брови», Kalinka («Калинка»), «Хороши весной цветочки», Waltz «Мой ласковый и нежный зверь», «Мохнатый шмель», «Счастье вдруг», «Песня про зайцев», «Варенiчки», «Коробушка», «Ухарь-купец», «Д. Шостакович - Вальс №2», and other selections.
Petroushka 2020 schedule of events
5 PM – RTVi crew arrives (4 camera man). Room – Xavier Suite Flower arrangements have to be done by 4 pm. 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM – Raffle & Silent Auction Prizes laid out on 2-3 tables. 6:00 PM- 7:00 PM – Raffle kids arrive. The dressing room will be Monroe Suite. Water station should be available. Children should be dressed and ready with baskets by 8 pm. Ballroom dancers Denys Drozdyuk and Antonina Skobina arrive. 7-7:45 PM – Dancers rehearsal at the Grand Ballroom 7:45-8:30 pm – RTVi records few interviews in front on step & repeat Photographer Julia will be working at stop & repeat banner till 11 pm 8 PM – Met Opera artists rehearsal at the Grand Ballroom Roman Makhmutov sets up the photo station at Centennial Foyer (the same location as last year) 7:45 PM – Maike Schulz, photographer, arrives with 2 assistants 8:00 PM – Cocktails Served in Centennial Foyer at the 3rd fl Barynya playing the background music in Centennial Foyer at the 3rd fl Kids Folk Club Kaleidoskope arrive 9:00 PM –Guests escorted to the Grand Ballroom. Lester Lanin starts playing. Appetizers are preset. Lester Lanning stops playing 9:10 PM – As soon as the guests are seated, Beatrice Fekula welcomes the guests, acknowledges important guests, thanks Aeroflot, important sponsors, mentions the raffle & silent auction. 9:15 PM Peter Fekula says a few words about the RCWS and introduces the singers. Serena Malfi, mezzo soprano and Ben Bliss, tenor, Metropolitan Opera both accompanied by Jonathan Kelly. “Cruda sorte “ L’italiana in Algeri Rossini (5 min) Serena “Kuda, kuda” Evgeny Onegin Tchaikovsky (6 min) Ben “I’te vurria vasa’” Di Capua (4 min) Serena “No puede ser” Sorozabal (3 min) Ben Duet: “Stranger in Paradise” Kismet Wright/Forrest (4-5 min) Lester Lannin Orchestra continues playing (about 20 min) 9:45 Once the main course is served, Lester Lannin stops playing and Peter Fekula introduces the ballroom dancers - Denys Drozdyuk and Antonina Skobina 1 dance “You and I” 4.5 min. Recorded music. Lester Lannin stops playing. Peter Fekula introduces Barynya and Folk Club Kaleidoskope. 10-10:10 pm Barynia musicians accompanied by dancers from Folk Club Kaleidoskope perform Что-то грустно, взять гитару, Ой. Варенька, Варенька, Светит Месяц, Мохнатый Шмель, Калинка 10:25 pm – Lester Lanin continues playing (stars with social dancing music) Lester Lanin continues playing till 1:00 am. 10 PM Barynia begins playing in the Terrace Room 10:00 pm – dancing guests start to arrive and check in. Russian Standard Vodka station (long bar) is opened. 12 midnight – Russian Folk dancing at the Terrace Room 2:00 – Barynya concludes evening in the Terrace Room.
02-06-2026, 56th Petroushka Ball, Plaza Hotel New York City
56th Petroushka Ball took place on Friday, February 6th, 2026 at the Plaza Hotel in New York City (Grand Ballroom & Terrace Room). Music by The Lester Lanin Orchestra, and Barynya Balalaika Orchestra. Dress Code: Strictly White or Black Tie, Long Ball Gowns.
01-24-2026, Island Grand at TradeWinds, St. Pete Beach, Florida
Ensemble Barynya (4 dancers, 2 musicians) performed during Russian Winter Ball-2026 at the Island Grand at TradeWinds in St. Pete Beach, Florida on Saturday, January 24th, 2026.
10-17-2025, Slavic Soiree in Coconut Creek, Florida
On Friday, October 17th, 2025 from 7pm to 12 midnight Barynya Balalaika Orchestra performed at Paideia Classical Academy (2370 Hammock Blvd) in Coconut Creek, Florida during Slavic Soiree Fundraiser to build the Resurrection Orthodox Cathedral in South Florida.
06-08-2024, Russian Nobility Ball, The Pierre A Taj Hotel NYC
91st Annual Russian Nobility Ball took place at The Pierre A Taj Hotel in New York City on Friday, June 8th, 2024. Musicians and dancers of Barynya ensemble led by Mikhail Smirnov provided music and entertainment.
05-05-2023, Russian Nobility Ball, The Pierre A Taj Hotel NYC
90th Annual Russian Nobility Ball took place at The Pierre A Taj Hotel in New York City on Friday, May 5, 2023. Musicians led by Mikhail Smirnov played during cocktail hour, dancers opened the Ball with a Waltz from Sleeping Beauty. The dinner show included Kolomeyka, Mexican, Tatar, American, Gypsy, Flamenko, Hopak, Chardash (instrumental), and Kalinka.
10-08-2022, Mount Ida Reserve, Scottsville, Virginia
DJ Alisa, bilingual MC-Tamada Mikhail, and eight piece live band. Wedding reception in Scottsville, Virginia on Saturday, October 8th, 2022. Tasting Room & Taphouse at Mount Ida Reserve, 5600 Moonlight Dr, Scottsville, VA 24590.
Klezmer Music Concert on Saturday, August 27th, 2022 in Untermyer Park in Yonkers, New York. Cast of musicians Lina Karokhina (domra), Misha Smirnov (guitar, vocals), Slava Bell (violin), Sasha Barder (keyboard, clarinet, sax).
06-05-2022. 50th Wedding Anniversary in Alexandria, Virginia
Musicians, dancers and singers provided music and entertainment during 50th Wedding Anniversary event at the River Farm, 7931 E Boulevard Dr., Alexandria, Virginia 22308 on June 5th, 2022.
07-09-2021, Restaurant Lanjeron in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
On Friday, July 9th, 2021 musicians, singers, and dancers performed one hour show during birthday party at Russian restaurant Lanjeron in Philadelphia, 13032 Bustlenton Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19116.
On Wednesday, October 2nd, 2019 Leonid Bruk (contrabass balalaika), Elina Karokhina (balalaika), Mikhail Smirnov (garmoshka), and singer Irina Zagornova provided one hour performance during kid's Birthday party in downtown New York City.
11-11-2018, 50th Birthday party at Mari Vanna, New York City
Birthday Party at Mari Vanna (41 East 20th Street, New York, NY 10003) on Sunday, November 11th, 2018. Для гостей плясал медведь, без устали играли скрипка, балалайка, балалайка-контрабас, баян, гармошка, пели цыгане.
02-19-2018, 53rd Annual Petroushka Ball, Plaza Hotel, New York City
Barynya Balalaika Orchestra provided live music during 53rd annual Petroushka Ball at the landmark Plaza Hotel, 768 5th Ave, New York, NY 10019 on Friday, February 9th, 2018.
02-10-2017, 52nd Annual Petroushka Ball, Plaza Hotel, New York City
Musicians of the Barynya Balalaika Orchestra provided live music for 52nd Petroushka Ball at the New York City's landmark Plaza Hotel located on the corner of 58th Street and 5th Avenue {exact address: 768 5th Ave, New York, NY 10019} on Friday, February 10th, 2017.
11-14-2016, Opening Night Party of "Natasha, Pierre, and The Great Comet of 1812", Plaza Hotel NYC
Opening Night Party of "Natasha, Pierre, and The Great Comet of 1812" starring Josh Groban took place on Monday, November 14th, 2016 at the Plaza Hotel NYC.
02-05-2016, 51st Annual Petroushka Ball, Plaza Hotel, New York City
Musicians of Barynya Balalaika Orchestra and Vasily's Gypsy Band provided live music and entertainment for 51st Petroushka Ball New York City's Plaza Hotel, 768 5th Ave, New York, NY 10019 on Friday, February 5, 2016.
11-19-2014, National Geographic Building, Washington, D.C., Event honoring Karen Shakhnzazrov
Black-tie Russian Gala event honoring Karen Shakhnzazrov (the Chairman of the Board of Mosfilm) at the National Geographic Building in Washington, DC on November 19, 2014.
Friday, April 9th, 2010, Old Mill Inn, 21 Old Mill Road, Toronto, Ontario, M8X 1G5 CANADA, Winter Palace Ball and the Gala Charity Fundraiser benefitting Ruskoka, a summer camp for underprivileged children.
02-13-2009, 45th Annual Petroushka Ball, Waldorf Astoria, New York City
Annual Petroushka-Ball 2009 took place at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City on Friday, February 13th, 2009. Barynya Balalaika Orchestra performed from 9pm until 2:30am in the morning.
09-18-2008, Liberty Medal Award Ceremony for former Soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia
2008 Liberty Medal Award Ceremony for the former Soviet leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner Mikhail Gorbachev at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia on September 18th, 2008.
01-26-2008, THE KAYE Playhouse Theater, Hunter College, New York City
Concert with legendary Russian-Gypsy singer Zhenya Shevchenko in New York City on Saturday, January 26, 2008 at THE KAYE Playhouse Theater at Hunter College. Photo by Dalia Bagdonaite, video by Alexander Feygin.
