The Balalaika and Domra Association of America 2006 photos Akron, Ohio

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Russian folk singer Alexander Menshikov and Mikhail Smirnov from the Russian folk dance and music ensemble Barynya from Brooklyn, New York at the 2006 Balalaika and Domra Association of America convention in Akron, Ohio.

CUYAHOGA FALLS/ KENT — The Balalaika & Domra Association of America, in conjunction with the St. Nicholas Balalaika Orchestra, presented annual convention and gala concert, A Festival of Russian Music

Singer Alexander Menshikov, Mikhail Smirnov (guitar), Greg Harbar (accordion), Monty Ellman (alto domra) and Andy King (contrabass balalaika) are playing at the Kent State University auditorium before the big concert.

During the week of July 9-16, more than 160 the convention's attendees from the United States, Canada, Western Europe and Russia gathered at the Sheraton Suites in Cuyahoga Falls to rehearse for a gala concert that took place at the Kent State University auditorium on July 15, 2006

Artistic Director of the Washington Balalaika Society Orchestra Svetlana Nikonova, Tamara and Sasha Menshikov

The concert included appearances by balalaika ensembles from cities throughout the United States

The concert also included solo appearances by balalaika, domra and bayan artists from the United States, England and Russia

The highlight of the concert was a 100-piece balalaika orchestra conducted by Victor Gorodinsky, from Madison, Wis.

The convention and concert program include internationally renowned artists Tamara Volskaya, Andrei Saveliev, Bibs Ekkel and Great American Gypsies.

BDAA 2006 conference attendees participated in Russian, Ukrainian, Gypsy songs, dances and lessons.

Some sessions promoted cultural insight, such as painting classes for pysanky eggs and Matryoshka dolls.

Russian chorus is performing Belgorod's region Russian folk song "Paranya" before the "zakuski"

Sasha Menshikov and Mikhail Smirnov are performing Russian folk song Korobushka (The Peddler). Dancers, singers, and musicians of Russian dance and music ensemble Barynya are available for hire for the performing art centers, festivals, schools, libraries, concert halls, restaurants, private and corporate events as one powerful ensemble or in smaller groups.

Alexander Menshikov is singing popular song "Ochi Chyornye (Dark Eyes)"

Alexander Menshikov is working on romance Domoi Vozvrashayutsya Ptitsy ("Birds are coming back home". Music and lyrics of unknown author)

Домой возвращаются птицы из разных далеких стран,
А в той стороне за границей для русских там есть ресторан.

Оркестр играет с подмостков и русские песни звучат,
И там у столов березки, березки там в кадках стоят
read more at Sasha's page

Alexander Menshikov is singing Gypsy folk song Kayone Кай ёнэ...


Кай ёнэ, ромалы,
Кай ёнэ мирэ ли та
То лава совна(я)ку(ю)нэ

Ай! Там-там-да-ра-рай там-тай-ра
Та-ра-рам да-ра-рам тай та-ра-рам
Тай та-рам та-рам там.

Джидэ! Аваса й тана
Нэ мэраса мэ ли то
Шукир ай заджива(я)са

Ай! Там-там-да-ра-рай там-тай-ра
Та-ра-рам да-ра-рам тай та-ра-рам
Тай та-рам та-рам там.

Кай ёнэ, карик ёнэ гинэ
Бэшава эй моторо
Явава кэ тумэ

Ай! Там-там-да-ра-рай там-тай-ра
Та-ра-рам да-ра-рам тай та-ра-рам
Тай та-рам та-рам там.