|
|
Stay informed of late-breaking Kitka news by joining our social networks!
|
|
|
|
|
 | | Elizabeth and Caitlin in Arhavi, Photo by Taner Kilinc |
Songs from Serbia, Lazona, and Svaneti
A Workshop Series with
Elizabeth Setzer and Caitlin Tabancay Austin
Four Tuesday Evenings
September 24, October 1, 8, and 15 from 7:30 - 9:30 PM
Location: Berkeley, CA
(Address will be disclosed upon registration)
$160 - Advance registration encouraged as space is limited
By popular demand, Caitlin Tabancay Austin and Elizabeth Setzer are offering a fall re-run of their summer workshop series to share songs collected during their recent travels with Kitka in Serbia, Lazona (on the Black Sea Coast of Turkey), and Svaneti (in the high Caucasus Mountains of Georgia). Participants can expect to learn monophonic and polyphonic songs and to train their vocal skills in an intimate group setting.
Commitment to the full 4-workshop series is required.
|
|
KITKA AUDITIONS!
 Kitka is holding auditions for fabulous vocalists interested in joining our core touring ensemble. Interested singers should submit required preliminary audition materials no later than October 15th. We will respond to all applicants by October 30th, at which point top candidates will be invited for a live audition with Kitka in Berkeley, CA. Preliminary audition materials should include the following: 1.) Statement of interest 2.) Current resume or biography describing your musical experience 3.) Audio (MP3) or video recordings (YouTube or Vimeo links) of 2 contrasting pieces demonstrating your skills singing Eastern European folk songs 4.) (Optional) Any additional relevant materials that will better acquaint us with the range and expressive capacity of your voice. Please limit additional media materials to no more than 10 minutes. IMPORTANT INFO FOR PROSPECTIVE AUDITIONEES - Kitka singers must live in (or be willing to move to) the San Francisco Bay Area, be available for twice-weekly rehearsals in the East Bay (currently Monday and Thursday evenings), and have general availability for performances on weekends, periodic domestic tours, and occasional overseas tours. Singers' schedules must be somewhat flexible to allow for participation in these activities. - Kitka's core ensemble members are part-time employees of Kitka, Inc., a non-profit cultural organization. All of our singers juggle other jobs with the work of the ensemble. - After a trial period, core members share musical leadership of the ensemble and also assist with non-musical tasks that support the ensemble's work. We are seeking women who are not only fantastic vocalists but also great team-players who understand the unique challenges and rewards of working in a small ensemble. Learn more about singing with Kitka To read about Kitka's current projects, visit: www.kitka.org. If you have questions about auditioning for Kitka, feel free to write us at [email protected]. |
Upcoming Kitka Performances
December 13-22: Wintersongs with Kitka, performances in Oakland, Point Reyes, Menlo Park, and San Francisco
|
 September 2013
Song of the Month
Bjela Golubica (White Dove) performed by The Svetlana Spajic Group on the album Siv Sokole
Lyrics and melody by Svetlana Spajic in the style of traditional Serbian na bas ("over the bass") songs from the region of Banija.
Kitka spent an incredible two weeks in June touring Serbia with the traditional singer and performance artist Svetlana Spajic
. Among our many adventures with Svetlana, we performed our collaborative program "To The Singers of Tales" in Subotica, Belgrade, Novi Sad, New Belgrade, and Zajecar. With members of Svetlana's ensemble, we worked with Serbian folk song masters Nedjalka Novkovic from Glina and Olga Krasojevic from Rudnik Mountain, and visited Svetlana's father Radovan Spajic, a gorgeous singer, in her home village of Tekerish.
The Svetlana Spajic Group cherishes the most ancient forms of Serbian traditional singing. The has group performed at WOMEX 2010, the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Arcadia Gala in New York, and all across Europe. The ensemble is currently part of the visionary opera "The Life and Death of Marina Abramovic", directed by Robert Wilson. This spectacular work will be receive its American premiere in December in New York City at the Park Avenue Armory. Other participating performers include Marina Abramović, Willem Dafoe, and Anthony. New Yorkers... don't miss this!  |
Kitka Recommends 
Fri-Sat,
September 20-21, 8 PM
Yerba Buena
Center for the Arts Forum
San Francisco, CA
Inspired by the ancient Indian goddess VAK, who creates the world through sound vibration, VAK: Song of Becoming is an immersive sonic experience. Composer Ann Dyer experiments with ancient Indian sound practices in a new, contemporary work that explores the relationship of sound and self. Featuring choreography by Erika Chong Shuch and the voices of the Vak Choir---made up of "every day" voices representing all ages, backgrounds, and abilities--Vak: Song of Becoming challenges assumptions about voice, listening, and the role of performance in a modern musical awakening.
Use promo code "KITKA20" to receive 20% off regular advance ticket prices.
No Limit. Service fees apply.
Must be purchased in advance.
Photo of Ann Dyer and the VAK Choir by Brittany N. Powell
|
Kitka Recommends:
All friends of Bulgaria are cordially invited to a
Bulgarian Independence Day Celebration
Sunday, September 22
12 PM - 6 PM
34580 Palomares Rd.
Castro Valley, CA 94552
FREE - FAMILIES ARE WELCOME!
Free-will donations to the monastery will be gratefully accepted.
Enjoy traditional Bulgarian music, dance, in a beautiful, serene setting. A traditional Bulgarian meal, courtesy of the Monastery Fathers will be available for purchase. ($12 per person with unlimited refills)
Kitka's Caitlin Tabancay Austin, Janet Kutulas, and Michele Simon will perform a set of Bulgarian folk songs at 2:30 PM
Other wonderful performers include Ivan Velev, Ida Liburnija, Lina Djambazova, Bruce Cochran and Hector Bezanis.
|
Thank you for reading, and for your much-needed support!
|
|
|
|
|
 | | Photo: Debra A. Zeller |
In harmony,
The Women of Kitka
Caitlin Tabancay Austin
Kelly Atkins
Shira Cion
Janet Kutulas
Elizabeth Setzer
Michele Simon
Corinne Sykes
Kitka's 2012-2013 Season is supported, in part, by grants from The National Endowment for the Arts, The California Arts Council Creating Public Value Program, The City of Oakland Cultural Funding Program, The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, CECArtsLink, the Kurz Family Foundation, The James Irvine Foundation Exploring Engagement Fund, The East Bay Fund for Artists, CCI Next Generation Arts Grants, The Zellerbach Family Fund, The Aaron Copland Fund for Music, USArtists International, The Trust for Mutual Understanding, The Clorox Community Foundation, The Alliance for California Traditional Arts, and a generous global Village of individual donors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
