Date: March 2nd, 2013
Time: 11:00 am - 4:30 pm
Admission: Adult: $7, Children: $3 from 5 to 12, children < 5 - Free
Location: The Italian Community Center of Albany, located at 257 Washington Ave Ext, Albany, NY.
Objective: To expand the public understanding and appreciation of Russian folk art, traditions and culture. The culture of Russia has been shaped by its long history, unique geography and diverse demography. Because of the gradual accretion of land over several centuries, Russia has over 150 different ethnic groups.
Grand Finale - Description: The final day of the Festival on March 2rd 2013 is a full day of traditional food, music, costumes, exhibits, films, performances and competitions.
The 1st Russian Winter Festival 2009 was a huge success. See photos here. The 2nd Russian Winter Festival 2010 was featured a month of events - art exhibitions, piano competition, film forum and visitors from Tula, Russia. See photos here.
The 5th Annual Russian Winter Festival 2013 will be a month-long Festival again. The events slated for the festival included the Fine Art Show, Tchaikovsky Piano and Nadezhda Obukhova Voice Competitions, Russian Poetry Recital Competition, and Grand Finale - final day of the Festival on March 2nd 2013 at the Italian Community Center, Albany, NY.
Colored Etching by Alexander Vetrov
Dates: February 1-27 2013
Location: 247 Lark St, Albany, NY @Upstate Artists Guild.
Alexander Vetrov is considered to be one the best colored needle etching artist in Russia. His works are detailed pictures, panoramas of difficult but beautiful compositions. Scenes of villages, churches, his home, his mother are all captured by the artist discerning eye in his etchings. Vetrov's original colored etchings are provided by "From Russia with Art Gallery" www.fromrussiawithart.org
The Russian Virtuoso Concert: Vladimir Feltsman, piano
Date: March 3, 8:00 pm
Location: Union College, Memorial Chapel, Schenectady, NY
Admissions: $25, students $10
Description: This Russian virtuoso's famed career was launched upon his arrival in the United States in 1987 after being suppressed by the Soviet regime for almost ten years. Making his only Capital Region appearance this season, Feltsman plays a fantastic program with Mussorgsky's celebrated keyboard masterpiece - Pictures at an Exhibition.
Tchaikovsky Piano Competition
Dates: February 16 10am - 1pm competition, February 17 -11 am Winners Concert
Location: The Woman's Club of Albany, located at 725 Madison Ave, Albany.
Winners 2013:
Young Tchaikovsky Level
1st place - Hannah Jieun Sohn
1st place - J.T. Sterle
2nd place - Adelaide Leung
3rd place Benjamin Levchenko
3rd place Ian Klenk
Apprentice Tchaikovsky level
2nd place - Alina Orliouglu
2nd place - Michael Lee
Master Tchaikovsky Level
1st place - Chris Bangert-Drowns
2nd place - Oksana Levchenko
2nd place - Nathan Figueroa
3rd place Val Beberwyck
Nadezhda Obukhova Classical Vocal Competition
Dates: February 16 2pm-3pm competition, February 17, 11am All Winners Concert
Location: The Woman's Club of Albany, located at 725 Madison Ave, Albany.
Winners 2013:
1st place - Wojciech Bonarowski
2nd place - Melanie Shank
3rd place - Robert Willard
Russian Poetry Recital Contest
Date and Time: March 2, 12:30pm
Location: Children Activities Room, Festival site at the Italian Community Center.
The contest is open to children and adults to recite in Russian a poem of their choise. The Contest has 3 age levels: ages 3-6, 7-12, 13 and Up and 2 divisions: Native Russian Speakers and Non-Native Russian Speakers. The Prize of $100 US Savings Bond will be awarded in each division.
Best Braided Hairdo Contest
Date: March 2nd
Time: 2:30pm
Location: Children Activities Room, Italian Community Center.
The contest is open to girls and women of all ages. Time requirement to make braided hairdo is limited to 30 minutes. Judging based on neatnes, creative approach, harmony between style and whole look. Prizes will be awarded to the best contestants.
Russian Winter Festival 2013 - Grand Finale
Date: March 2nd, 2013
Time: 11:00 am - 4:30 pm
Location: The Italian Community Center of Albany, located at 257 Washington Ave Ext, Albany, NY.
Guests from Moscow, Russia: Folk Group Art-trio "Volnitsa"
Volnitsa performs popular and rare Russian folk songs. Original sound, contrabass (Pavel Boykov), virtuoso balalika (Ivan Gorsky), Russian accordion/bajan (Vladimir Demchenko) - brush up "Russian standard - Kalinka, Barynya", renew classical masterpieces of Musorgsky, Tchaikovsky, Lyadov. Both improvisational arrangements and chamber spirit makes it kind of "Russian jazz".
The Kozak Family Trio is a world renowned musical group. Valentina , Alexander and Olyia have been in the United States since 1990. Valentina holds numerous world titles including "Distinguished Artist of Belarus" and the "Best Performer of European Folklore" (Bratislava 1986).
The Golden Rooster ensemble was founded in Brooklyn, NY in 1997 by russian folk singer Irina Zagornova in her desire to preserve Russian folk traditions. It's group of 12 kids of different ages. They have been learning to sing and dance traditional russian music using folk instruments such as bayan, balalaika, violin, guitar and other instruments.
The 3rd Rifle Division is a WWII Red Army
reenacting group located in the Northeast United States, with multiple members from the region. They portray a typical squad of a WWII Russian rifle division in both private battles and public displays.
The craft vendors lending to the authenticity of the Russian Winter Festival are welcome.
Please fill out the Vendors Application Form. Please download the Word document on your computer, save and email it to events@newrussiacenter.org.
Sponsoring the Festival is an excellent way to support our community's cultural landscape as well as build recognition for your organization at the same time.
The levels of sponsorship:
Level: $350 - $449
Recognition: company’s logo in a special section
of the Festival program
Benefits: two complimentary tickets to the Festival.
Level: $500 - $999
Recognition: company’s logo and a business card’s
size ad in the Festival program
Benefits: two complimentary tickets to the Festival.
Level: $1,000 - $1,499
Recognition: company’s logo and 1/3 page ad in
the Festival program, the logo (with hyperlink) on the festival web site
for one year, ending on January 1, 2012.
Benefits: four complimentary tickets to the Festival.
Level: $1,500 +
Recognition: company’s logo and a half page ad
in the Festival program, the logo (with hyperlink) on the festival web
site for one year ending on January 1, 2012, and space to hang your signage
at the Festival grounds.
Benefits: four complimentary VIP All-Event Passes.
Special Events: invitation to The Center’s annual
Donor's dinner.
Your support is very important because it will enhance the Russian Winter Festival’s stature as a regional cultural event. Regardless of the size of your contribution or the motivation behind it, we are grateful for your gift.
Please contact Tanya Lichtenwalter at 518-364-6321 or email
at lichten@newrussiacenter.org