Russian dance, song and music ensemble Barynya provided dancers and musicians for the Annual Petroushka Ball, a traditional Russian ball held annually in New York City, is the primary fundraising event for the Russian Children's Welfare Society. 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 Ball has become one of New York Society's most vibrant and anticipated annual events, attracting upwards of 700 dinner and dancing guests. Petroushka Ball-46 took place at the Waldorf Astoria, 301 Park Avenue, New York, NY on Friday, February 11th, 2011. Ensemble Barynya cast included: Sergey Gurbeloshvili (saxophone), Alexandra Mogilevich (drums), Lev Zabeginsky (domra-alto), Mikhail Smirnov (guitar, vocals), Elina Karokhina (balalaika), Leonid Bruk (balalaika-contrabass), Yan Khmel (bayan), singer Alexander Menshikov. Dancers Andrij Cybyk and Anna Brovkina.
Traditional Ukrainian dance Hopak. Music performed by full Barynya Balalaika Orchestra. Sergey Gurbeloshvili (saxophone), Alexandra Mogilevich (drums), Lev Zabeginsky (domra-alto), Mikhail Smirnov (guitar, vocals), Elina Karokhina (balalaika), Leonid Bruk (balalaika-contrabass), Yan Khmel (bayan), singers Alexander Menshikov and Irina Zagornova.
Performance during dinner by Elina Karokhina (balalaika), Leonid Bruk (balalaika-contrabass), Mikhail Smirnov (guitar), singer Alexander Menshikov.
Recorded by Alexander Gurman (alexandergurman's YouTube channel) on February 11, 2011 at the Waldorf Astoria during Petroushka Ball.
This is the beginning of the dance program by Barynya Balalaika Orchestra.
Song "Moscow Nights" performed by singer Alexander Menshikov.
Recorded by Alexander Gurman (alexandergurman's YouTube channel).
Petroushka Ball NYC 2011, 46th Annual Petroushka Ball, Waldorf Astoria, Grand Ball Room, New York City, NY, February 11th, 2011
Leonid Bruk with his balalaika-contrabass, Petroushka Ball NYC 2011, 46th Annual Petroushka Ball, Waldorf Astoria, Grand Ball Room, New York City, NY, February 11th, 2011
Guests are dancing with the music of Barynya Balalaika Orchestra led by Mikhail Smirnov, Petroushka Ball NYC 2011, 46th Annual Petroushka Ball, Waldorf Astoria, Grand Ball Room, New York City, NY, February 11th, 2011
Leonid Bruk, Elina Karokhina, Mikhail Smirnov. Petroushka Ball NYC 2011, 46th Annual Petroushka Ball, Waldorf Astoria, Grand Ball Room, New York City, NY, February 11th, 2011, performance during dinner. Click images to see full size photos
Leonid Bruk, Elina Karokhina, Mikhail Smirnov and singer Alexander Menshikov. Performance during dinner. Click images to see full size photos. Petroushka Ball NYC 2011, 46th Annual Petroushka Ball, Waldorf Astoria, Grand Ball Room, New York City, NY, February 11th, 2011
Barynya Balalaika Orchestra, Petroushka Ball NYC 2011, 46th Annual Petroushka Ball, Waldorf Astoria, Grand Ball Room, New York City, NY, February 11th, 2011
Barynya Balalaika Orchestra, Petroushka Ball NYC 2011, 46th Annual Petroushka Ball, Waldorf Astoria, Grand Ball Room, New York City, NY, February 11th, 2011
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.
