The Great Music on Sundays @5 concert series presents “BALKAN E BOSTON” on Sunday, September 16 at 5pm at the Unitarian Universalist Meeting House of Provincetown (236 Commercial Street – (508)487-9344).
Three accomplished musicians play beautiful, rhythmic melodies from their home countries of Bulgaria and Serbia and the rich cultural heritage of the Balkans. Petar Dimitrov (guitar/bass/tambura/bouzouki), Elena Mancheva (vocalist) and Zoran Matich (guitar/vocalist) perform passionate and rhythmic music from Bulgaria, Macedonia and Serbia. The September 16 concert features special guest John Thomas (piano/vocalist). The event is a celebration of ethnic cultures that are contributing to the international essence of Cape Cod.
Balkan E Boston is a Boston-based band, formed by seasoned veterans of Balkan folk music, that performs throughout New England, New York and New Jersey. The musicians specialize in genuine folk music that embraces the rich music heritage from various countries in Europe. Their musical experiences give the performances a specific flavor of the mixed heritage and plays an important role in the concert presentation.
Petar Dimitrov is a graduate of the National Music School “Filip Kutev” in Kotel. Elena Mancheva is a graduate of the Academy of Music, Dance and Fine Arts in Plovdiv. Zoran Matich plays music in the United States, England, Italy and China. John Thomas has traveled to Bulgaria twice and recently presented his piano concert debut on September 2, at the Pearl Festival in Primorsko on the Black Sea coast.
“I lived in Provincetown for seven years, and I still consider it my home. I am lucky to be part of the wonderful Provincetown community. I feel at home here because I can perform music of Bulgaria and share my culture and feel accepted, appreciated and celebrated for it.” said Elena Mancheva.
Zoran Matich stated that, “There are very few places where different cultures blend into one mix and create a unique appearance and feeling and where, regardless of nationality, gender, color, age or background, this mix produces a genuine cultural expression, different from the individual environments and backgrounds of the people participating. One place where this happens is Provincetown with its genuine diversity on all levels and its ability to attract people. No matter where people come from, they all say the same thing: ‘This town is different from anything I’ve seen before.’ As a musician I have the feeling that in Provincetown we experience genuine music without borders.”
John Thomas added, “I enjoy using my styles of piano and composition to create interesting variations of traditional folklore music of Bulgaria. I feel full of life when I play this music. I continue to learn and exchange musical ideas with musicians as we combine our traditional styles and create something new and interesting. My great affection for Bulgarian music and culture and people continues to grow. The music of our world is for all of us to experience and to share and to create.”
Everyone is welcome to attend. Admission is $20 at the door. Senior (65+) discounts are available at $15. Children ages 12 and under are admitted free. Tickets are available in advance online at brownpapertickets.com.
Great Music on Sundays @5, Provincetown’s longest-running concert series of music of our world, celebrates its twentieth consecutive season with eighteen weekly concerts from June 10 through October 7. This concert series provides a unique musical and cultural niche. Since the 1999 season, more than 300 concerts presented by more than 100 performers have provided music without borders for thousands of concertgoers and lovers of great music.
The 2018 season includes classical, Broadway, international, piano, choral and organ music with more than 50 performers. The concerts are a potpourri of music from across the centuries and around the world. There is something for everyone at Great Music on Sundays @5.
All concerts are presented on Sundays at 5 pm at the Unitarian Universalist Meeting House of Provincetown, built in 1847 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972, with one of the finest acoustic concert halls on Cape Cod. The sanctuary’s historic and rare trompe l’oeil walls and serene atmosphere provide the perfect setting for great music. Concerts feature the 1928 Steinway Model B concert grand piano and the historic 1850 Holbrook tracker organ.
See www.ptownmusic.com for complete series information and articles on Provincetown’s music history. John Thomas produces the concert series with the gracious help of many volunteers. The Great Music on Sundays @5 series is sponsored in part by the Provincetown Tourism Fund, The Provincetown Banner, WOMR/WFMR and 102.3 The Dunes Radio and is supported by dozens of Provincetown-based businesses and individuals. Berta Walker Gallery is a season sponsor. Further information call (508)487-9344.
