Eastern European Dance

Saturday, October 5th I had the wonderful pleasure of watching the Duquesne University Tamburitzans. The Tamburitzans (Tammies) are a group of Duquesne University students who perform Eastern European songs and dances all over the United States. This past weekend they performed their season kick-off at the Capitol Theater in Chambersburg, PA.

The high energy performance included songs and dances from Hungary, Croatia, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Serbia, Bulgaria, Greece, Ukraine, Macedonia, Slovakia and Russia.There was an anecdote before every song explaining the cultural relevance to each of the instruments being played, the dances being performed, or the style of music being showcased.

I thought that the Potter's Dance, which was a Slovakian piece, was interesting. The female dancers were tossed like clay and formed into a pot by the male dancers who acted as the potters. The clear narrative made the piece an especially memorable act. I also really enjoyed Shopska Petorka I Dimo Oro, the Macedonian Men's dance, and the final Slovakian Gypsy Dances. The dances were fun and incorporated a great variety of movement.

Another highly notable aspect of the performance were the costumes. Each costume had its own intricate design that reflected unique cultural differences. From head coverings, to embroidered aprons, to rubber boats, the costumes complemented the high-standard brilliance of the rest of the show.

Believe it or not, most of the students in the Tammies are not music or dance majors. They are a talented group with a variety of interest who commonly enjoy music and dance.

This was the second opportunity I have had to watch the Tammies. One of my closest friends from high school, Rachel, is a performer in the group and this is her last year. Although the show varies from year to year I was extremely impressed by the performance on both occasions. I highly recommend going to see this famous group perform. It is an unforgettable experience!

*The videos are not from the October 5th performance.