Music in the Woods

The beginning of September heralds the return of the Music in the Woods series in Greenville’s closest state park, Paris Mountain. Every Saturday afternoon from 2 - 4 pm through October, local bands perform in the outdoor amphitheater courtesy of Paris Mountain State Park Friends and the South Carolina Park Service. The concert is free with park admission, and in my opinion is the most undervalued free concert series in the Upstate!

The series kicked off with Nikki Talley on September 1st and the Trapfire Brothers this past Saturday. Next up, My Girl, My Whiskey and Me this weekend on the 15th, Gwyn Flower September 22nd, and Local Green Family Band to round out September on the 29th. October has Dave Desmelik on the 6th, Swamp Rabbit Railroad on the 13th, The Passing Scene on the 20th, and a local favorite, Darby Wilcox on the 27th. You can follow the series on facebook here.

To reach the amphitheater, park in the main parking lot across from the Park Center. From there it is a short walk on Mountain Creek Trail – follow the signs to the amphitheater. Concert-goers are welcome to bring their dinner, cooler and pets (on a leash), and the kids usually run around while the music is playing, exploring the surrounding woods.

These concerts are eco-friendly, using solar power to generate electricity for the bands. Part of the amphitheater is always in the shade of the surrounding trees, but if it rains, the closest shelter is the bicycle repair station up near the Park Center so you might want to pack an umbrella if there is a chance of afternoon showers.

Before or after the concert: hit one of the Paris Mountain Trails, admire the Civilian Conservation Corps era Park Center, or swim/paddle out on Lake Placid. And don’t forget to get your stamp if you’re participating in the SC State Parks Ultimate Outsider program!

Rīga with Kids!

Congratulations! You’ve booked your trip to Latvia this summer, scored the hard-to-get tickets to the historic LV100 Dziesmu un Deju Svētki, and survived the 10 hour flight with your kiddos (extra points for each connection!). Now what? Some days are filled with concerts, cultural events and other LV100 opportunities, however you know that the children will need some downtime – a little time to explore and be kids. After being asked a couple of times for favorite spots to go as a family, I’ve put together a list of things to do with children in and around Rīga.

Parks

The easiest way to squeeze in some time outdoors is at one of the nearby parks. Vērmanes dārzs is one of our favorites as it is centrally located, has a playground with plenty of shaded benches around, and offers trampolines/bounce houses/kids car rides (for a small fee). Buy some ice cream or freshly spun cotton candy and explore the gardens, or time your visit to coincide with one of the many festivals and tirdziņi that take place there every summer such as the Dziesmu svētku gadatirgus (July 1-8) or Rīgas svētki 2018 (August 17-19). Catch a concert on one of the stages and relax before heading further to Vecrīga.

Fellow blogger Brigita suggests the Centra sporta kvartāls park on Krišjāņa Barona iela for Rīga-themed and sports-based fun. You can read her post here – Rīga With Kids Tip.

The song festival wall in Viesturdārzs

Kronvalda parks takes you along the canal and past some cool statues and historical sites. If you’re in town for the song festival, you’ll want to visit the oldest park in Rīga, Viesturdārzs; also known as the song festival park, it has a reflecting pool with fountains and portrait wall dedicated to Dziesmu svētki. And adjacent to Brīvības piemineklis is Bastejkalns park, with memorials to those who died in 1991, the foundations of an old castle, a mini bridge with love locks, and scenic views of the canal. 

Activities

See Rīga from above! A neat way to get the lay of the land during the first days of your stay is by visiting one of the many places that offers a scenic view of the city. Svētā Petera baznīca provides one of our favorite views, although if you would like to enjoy the scenery while enjoying a drink in a retro bar, try Skyline Bar. The Radio tower is also an option, although a bit harder to get to from downtown Rīga.

The view from St. Peter's Church

Take a wooden boat tour of the Rīga canal! Combined with a short stretch of the Daugava River, the canal makes a big loop around Vecrīga - allowing for the distinctive opportunity to sightsee a city by boat.

Those who prefer to travel by land will want to walk the streets of Vecrīga. There is no better way to explore the cobblestoned streets and hidden courtyards of the old city than by foot! Sit down at an outdoor alus dārzs for ķiploku grauzdiņi for the kids, cross through the historic city gates, shop for everything from amber jewelry to folk music to children's literature, spot the cats adorning the infamous Kaķu nams, and admire the elegant beauty of the many churches while soaking in the history of the city that was born in 1201!

Spotted one of the cats!

Head to one of the many markets! Centrāltirgus is the biggest, and you can spend hours wandering through the giant zeppelin hangars. Buy some berries picked that morning while shopping for dinner, or just pick up a couple of souvenirs and ogle/smell the fish stalls.

Don't forget to eat! The LIDO chain is popular with many children and parents, simply because it lets them see the food they are ordering - which can be a relief for parents of fussy eaters or just those unfamiliar with Latvian cuisine. The LIDO Recreation Centre offers not just a meal, but a dining experience complete with live music and family recreation.

Educational opportunities

You’ll want to visit the magnificent National Library while you’re in Rīga, Gaismas pils. Older children might enjoy going on the free tour, while younger kids will love to spend some time in the children’s library. Make sure to take them to see the dainu skapis on the 5th floor that once stored the folk song collection of Krišjānis Barons.

Exploring the Art Nouveu District on a self-guided tour or with an official tour service might be a good choice for a group of varied ages. The younger children can have fun spotting all the animals & mythical creatures contained within the building facades, while older kids and adults can delve into the distinctive architectural unlike any in the world. 

Laima Chocolate Museum is a must for the chocolate lover.

The Rīga Zoo is just a tram ride away. It’s located adjacent to Mežaparks where you’ll find all sorts of other family-friendly activities such as a paintball center and a mini golf course.

Botāniskā dārzā

The Botanical Gardens of the University of Latvia can be a little harder to reach if you’re utilizing public transportation, but are worth the effort. Boasting an arboretum, palm house and butterfly house, the 40-acre gardens also have a rabbit enclosure that will delight smaller children. 

For a deeper look into the painful history of the Baltics, older children would benefit from a visit to the Okupācijas muzējs. Note, this museum is more appropriate for young adults than young children, and delves into very serious subject matter. However for those of us who grew up outside of Latvia, it offers insight into the tragic years that shaped our tēvuzeme. 

There are dozens of museums in Rīga, it’s just a matter of finding one to suit your interests. See if this post by Family With Kids helps: Things to Do and See with Kids in Riga, a Family Vacation in Latvia

  

LV100/Dziesmusvētki

In addition to all the ticketed events there will be many free, open to the public concerts and other events taking place across the city. One of our favorites is the Dziesmu svētku gājiens, where every song and dance festival participant parades down Brīvības ielas on the final day of the festival. 

Check out the Live Rīga website for events taking place across the city in honor of LV100 and the song festival.

Day Trips

Cross Lielupe to reach Jūrmala, 20 miles of beach on the Baltic Sea. Each municipality has its own distinct vibe, so with a little research you’ll quickly find the area that best suits your needs. Or, if you don’t want to go all the way to Jūrmala, stop at Līvu akvaparks for waterpark fun.

If you’re looking to head to the beach but want something a little quieter than Jūrmala, try heading east, to Saulkrasti. Need a little extra convincing? Take a look at these photos...

Ķemeru nacionālais parks is the closest National Park to the capital, and has miles of trails and boarwalks that explore the unique ecosystems within.

The bogs of Ķemeri National Park

And about an hour east of Rīga (by car) you’ll find Sigulda (and neighboring Krimulda), with Gūtmaņala and the ancient castle of Turaida, all popular tourist destinations.

I hope you enjoy your time in Rīga, and urge you to make the absolute most of your time there! Dziesmu svētki in Latvia are a unique chance to see the country all dressed up for the festivities, and to sample the many cultural, natural, historical and culinary experiences it has to offer. I would love to hear what your favorite places were to visit as a family, and please let me know what I’ve missed. Safe travels!!!

Strolling Downtown Spartanburg

Spartanburg is the second-largest city in Upstate South Carolina, and is just 30 minutes from Greenville, with the two cities sharing GSP airport. Possibly best known as the home of Wofford College and the Carolina Panthers training camp, Spartanburg is also the site of headquarters for Denny's and is home to the BMW Spartanburg factory. On the other hand, the city has been around since 1753 and is packed with historic attractions, cultural sites and outdoor activities. Spartanburg became a hub city back in the late 1800s when seven train lines fanned out from the city like spokes on a wheel, and today the nickname “Hub City” is still appropriate, although it is highways that connect the city to Altanta, DC, and Charlotte just 80 miles to the east. Recently the city has been energized in a rebirth, and nowhere is this new prestige as a tourist destination more evident than on a stroll down Main Street.

A great place to start is Denny’s Plaza, the greenspace adjacent to Denny's Corporate Headquarters. Denny's main offices were located California until 1989, at which time the office was moved to Spartanburg, headquarters of the parent company Trans World Corporation that acquired Denny's in 1987. The Plaza is home to fountains and gardens, as well as seasonal attractions such as the “Dickens of a Christmas” holiday tree.

Denny's headquarters and plaza

Headed west you’ll pass multiple popular stores including the Local Hiker and Hub City Scoops. Shortly before reaching S. Church St. you’ll find Fr8yard, the one of a kind, family friendly, outdoor entertainment and restaurant complex that opened last year. The venue is a community gathering place that was bustling even on a chilly January day.

You’ll notice multiple light-bulb sculptures as you walk, a part of the large-scale public art project headed up by the Spartanburg Art Museum. The project is titled “Lighten Up Spartanburg!”and features 28 light-bulb sculptures in public spaces around Spartanburg’s Downtown Cultural District, each decorated by a local or regional artist, designer or architect who was given free rein to paint, shape and decorate the sculptures.

Wall Street is the pedestrian thoroughfare that features multiple restaurants and stores. The ‘festival street’ is a good example of how the city has recently invested in Spartanburg to make it more bikable and walkable, and is part of a larger trails plan that will eventually connect 200 miles of countywide bike lanes and trails.

There is a different type of trail that runs through downtown as well - the Spartanburg Music Trail. A 30-minute walking tour of the city’s music history guides you from Daniel Morgan Avenue up Main Street to Liberty Street, colorful markers describing various artists at each point and appropriate music audible through your smartphone. It was Southern Rock superstars the Marshall Tucker Band who put Spartanburg on the musical map, but you’ll also learn which Spartanburg bluesman lent his first name to British rock group Pink Floyd, who played electric guitar for Elvis Presley, who wrote “Duelin’ Banjos,” and who put the words and music together to create the hymn “Amazing Grace.”

Along with the light bulbs you might also notice metal cycling statues scattered around, part of a ArtCycle scavenger hunt that has participants searching for the 11 pieces created by local artist Hoondirt. The art is in honor of Spartanburg’s bicycle-friendly designation from the League of American Bicyclists (SC’s first), as well as being the first city in the Southeast with a bike sharing program.

You’ll want to plan to spend some time in the Masonic Temple, today home to Hub City Writers Project and Cakehead Bakeshop. The award-winning bakery (in 2012 their cajun tater biscuit was judged the world’s best biscuit at the International Biscuit Festival in Knoxville, Tennessee) shares the ground floor with the Spartanburg publisher and bookseller. The Opera House was at this location from 1880 until demolished in 1907, and while several smaller buildings occupied the site in the interim, several Masonic lodges pooled resources to build the current space in 1927, designed by Spartanburg architect Frank Collins.

The Masons still meet at the location regularly, the upper floors housing an elegant auditorium. We picked up coffee roasted by local Little River Roasting Co. at the coffee bar, and after browsing for almost an hour at the bookstore, selected the second edition of “The Underground Guide to Spartanburg.” Printed by Hub City Press, this volume is the perfect guide to finding great stuff to do in the city.

Hub City Press publications

Back outside and continuing east, you’ll notice that for a brief period the opposing lanes of traffic on Main Street are split by a small pocket park. In the center is the clock tower; originally a feature of the Opera House, then a fixture of the Magnolia Street courthouse, the bell and clock were moved to the present location in 1986.

The north block Between Magnolia Street and Church Street is devoted to Morgan Square. At the west end is the Daniel Morgan Monument, the 1881 memorial a tribute to General Morgan’s victory at Cowpens. In the center is a fountain, and during the winter months you’ll find the skating rink to be a fun stop.

Just across the street on N Church St. is the Growler Haus, the Upstate chain that offers multiple seasonal and tasteful craft/micro beers and other libations. Comfy couches, local craft beer (and cider & komboucha) and knowledgeable bartenders will convince you to stay awhile.

On the next block over, 127 Dunbar Street (it has frontage on both Main and Dunbar) is the former location of the chain department store Woolworth’s. On July 26, 1960 the lunch counter was the site of a sit-in to protest the store’s all-white lunch counter service policy, part of the momentous national movement. You’ll find a plaque to commemorate this historic event.

Just a bit further and you’ll find yourself back in front of the Denny’s Plaza, however this should not be the end of your Spartanburg tour as there is much more to do in Hub City… Car enthusiasts should not miss touring BMW Zentrum, the German car maker’s only museum and manufacturing plant in America. Hiking often brings us out to Milliken Arboretum or Hatcher Garden & Woodland Preserve, while Croft State Park is a mere 15 minutes south. The Spartanburg International Festival draws more than 12,000 people to Barnet Park every October, while every summer the Carolina Panthers practice can be easily combined with a day in downtown by utilizing the free shuttle to Wofford. However you choose to spend your time in Hub City, you’ll find that it’s a dynamic city, full of history and culture – that will only pique your interest in coming back.

For a historic tour of Spartanburg, check out this guide by Hub City Tour. It features a few of the sites on Main Street in addition to a wide range of attractions throughout the city.

Baltic Christmas Day 22 - Stay Tuned...

This time of year it is a shared love for tradition and food that brings us together, pīrāgi, kugelis and piparkook bringing our thoughts and hearts (and stomachs!) to the Baltics and our heritage. I would like to keep this flame burning after the holidays have come and gone, and so have invited the Toronto 2019 Latvian Song & Dance Festival organizing committee to join us today on Day 22 of 24 Days of a Baltic Christmas with a post celebrating another common love - SONG!

Did you know, that Toronto, Canada will host the XV Latvian Song Festival from July 4 to 7, in 2019?

If you can’t make it to Latvia, then we’re bringing Latvia to you!

Latvian Song Festivals are held in different parts of the world each year. Latvia’s is considered to be one of the largest amateur choral events in the world, and an important event in Latvian culture and social life. Traditionally, every festival is about presenting theater, folk dancing, art exhibits, outdoor events, a marketplace and much, much more. What makes each festival special is the unique talent it features.

The two traditional main events, the Folk Dance Show and the Massed Choir Concert will be held in the historic Maple Leaf Gardens venue that has undergone a huge renovation since the last time these events were held there. We are happy to announce that Kristīna Kārklis-Kalniņš and her group Raxtu Raxti will be providing the live music accompaniment for both events!

Raxtu Raxti

But there is more.

Over the four festival days the folk dancing featured will vary from new choreographies to a showcase of old and new dances at the Folk Dance Show. Our festival is proud to announce that one of Latvia’s award-winning dance groups, “Līgo” is coming to Toronto! Not only will they be performing at the Folk Dance Show, but will also be showcasing their talents in a separate concert at Blume Appel Theatre.

To help understand Latvian folk dance, here are a few words from choreographer Zigis Miezitis:

Latvian folk dances go back to prehistory – they were performed in joy and sorrow. Dancing for joy – after a job well done, at harvest time, performing mummery, or for simple amusement during the long winter months. Dancing in sorrow – at funerals, to obliterate the foot prints of the departed and lessen the sorrow of the survivors.

What can we expect of the future? …. Essentially, the ethnic Latvian dances are simple and measured: that is their character. Slowly they are being replaced by faster, more elaborate choreographies. That is to be expected as life in our New Era has a faster pace, less restraint, faster interchange of information. There is a time deficit, inability to process, to evaluate, and separate the useful from the useless. Present day choreographers are professionals, highly educated, creating new dance forms in their occupation but that does not prevent amateurs from trying their hand at this too.

So our dance committee has chosen to highlight these aspects of the traditional festival that compliments Latvia’s initiatives when they present to the world their 2019 festival:

TDA “Līgo” is an award-winning Latvian dance troop under the tutelage of Janis Purviņš, one of Latvia’s most gifted choreographers. His innovative dance reflects the essence of Latvia’s soul, and also what Latvians take pride in… their heritage and their customs. Each new dance is unique, and shows a different dimension of who we are and where we’ve come from.

TDA Līgo

The new choreographies will showcase submissions from dance groups from Canada, the U.S.A., Latvia and various other countries from Europe. As our country evolves, so does our dance. Every tautas deja promises to exhibit each choreographer’s interpretation of the new genre of Latvian dance, while still keeping with tradition. In a break from tradition there will be no judges this time, but you will be able to weigh in… come see how.

Lastly, we have our Folk Dance Spectacle. It will showcase the many dance groups from all over the world coming together to show that tradition can be preserved and yet built upon to reflect the new. Its motto is: Latvia – Together We Stand – In our Love of Dance.

The main hotel will be the Toronto Hilton, located in the heart of downtown Toronto. During the day everyone gets to meet and mingle in all sorts of places in the hotel. During the festival the rooftop terrace will be open for live entertainment, and a piano at the bar available for everyone to join in on what Latvians like to do best – sing!

Toronto has a lot to offer… Why not come early and visit some of its beautiful sites? We’ll keep everyone informed of any important information, as time goes on, on our website: http://latviansongfest.com

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United in song, connected by dance. A celebration of Latvian culture!  

I couldn't resist adding these two photos from my very first Dziesmu svētki in Toronto in 1991! (from the Femme au Foyer archives...)

Thanks to the Toronto XV Latviešu Dziesmu Svētki Kanadā rīcības komiteja for the look at the 2019 Song & Dance Festival! The modern day festival is an integral part of Latvian culture, and remains an anchor of Latvian tradition outside of Latvia. I wish the organizers endurance and strength over the next year as they invest in putting on a Dziesmu svētki for the history books! Please join me in supporting them by signing up for updates on their Facebook page, Twitter, Instagram or for email updates, and stay tuned for more on the Toronto festival here on Femme au Foyer over the coming year…

Only two more days left in the series… Please join me tomorrow for an Estonian finale to 24 Days of a Baltic Christmas!

Baltic Christmas Day 18 - A Window to a Latvian Christmas

Welcome to 24 Days of a Baltic Christmas and Day 18!

Today I am proud to present the Latvian web series Lodziņš uz Latviju (“A Little Window to Latvia”) with a December episode! From the (currently snow-less) streets of Rīga adorned with Christmas lights and holiday decorations, to their cozy kitchen filled with the smell of kanēļmaizītes, Lodziņš uz Latviju brings us to Latvia and introduces us to Latvian traditions and customs still alive today!

To our Lithuanian, Estonian and English-speaking readers, I suggest enjoying the first portion of the episode as it takes you on a visual journey through the welcoming, magical streets of Vecrīga. It finishes with the band ImantaDimanta and their Latvian-infused rendition of Jingle Bells – both parts of the episode can be enjoyed without the ability to understand Latvian. (And if you enjoy listening to Mežus pārklāj sniegs then you’ll want to check out Day 4 of the series, when ImantaDimanta released their US Centennial Tour dates and dropped an exclusive holiday track, Kas pie Rīgas dumpējās!)

For those viewing on a mobile device/through email, the above video can be found here.

Lodziņš uz Latviju is a ‘window to Latvia’ for Latvians living in the US! The monthly episodes incorporate political and historic information with fun facts and familiar faces, bringing a little bit of Latvia into your home. Musical accompaniment for Lodziņš uz Latviju is provided by Imanta Nīgale and Katrīna Dimanta, otherwise known as dynamic folk duo ImantaDimanta. A few new tour dates have been added to the ImantaDimanta ALA Centennial Tour in honor of LV100, so please be sure to check back here to see if they’ll be coming to your town! (And ImantaDimanta makes a nice Christmas gift, hint hint…)

The Lodziņš uz Latviju cinnamon buns are super-easy to make, as demonstrated by the 7 year-old. If you would like a full recipe that includes dough, please see Day 13, kanēļmaizītes! 

You can find the Lodziņš uz Latviju YouTube channel here.

You can also follow them on Facebook for outtakes, live videos, links to interesting articles and alerts on new episodes.

Stay up to date with ImantaDimanta on Spotify, Facebook and on bandcamp!

Please join us tomorrow for Day 19 of the series, High on Christmas!

Baltic Christmas Day 15 - NY Latvian Concert Choir

Today on 24 Days of a Baltic Christmas we welcome Kristīna with her article on the NY Latvian Concert Choir's annual Christmas concert!

Along with the much awaited and various Christmas craft markets (Ziemsvētku tirdziņi) in the New York metro area, the New York Latvian Concert Choir’s annual Advent concert has become a tradition of the holiday season for many. I began attending the concerts when I had four young children, and one Sunday just needed a break, or as my husband called it- “a walk-about.” It was my chance to get away from stressful pre-holiday preparations and simply sit & absorb the joyful celebration surrounding the season. I returned home inspired and calm, thus beginning a personal tradition that continued as solo excursions for a number of years, but grew to include family members, and finally, to joining the choir as a singer.

Many Latvian choirs prepare for a concert during the Christmas season, reaffirming the idea that abundant joy is found in intangible things. As often happens during holidays celebrated by the Balts, we enjoy a unique blend of Christian themes and images, a bright star and the manger in Bethlehem alongside snowy woods and energetic, slightly rowdy budeļi, or mummers.

The NYCC Advent concert takes place at the NY Latvian Lutheran Church in Yonkers on the first or second Sunday of the Advent. It follows a brief service and a seasonal chorale sung by everyone present. The choir often commissions works by Latvian composers specifically for this concert. In the past, composers such as Uģis Prauliņš, Ilona Rupaine, and Ēriks Ešenvalds have composed pieces for the choir. Most often the commissioned work is a Christmas cantata with compositions for poetry by Latvian authors or arrangments of traditional folk melodies. The commisioned works usually include accompaniment by a chamber orchestra. Thanks to grants from the New York Council for the Arts, a small orchestra has been a part of the concerts for as long as I have attended them. Flowing passages by violins, wall trembling percussion, and mysteriously dreamy notes on a harp, undoubtedly make for a richer experience for both singers and audience. In addition to the commissioned cantatas, the program has included familiar Christmas carols arranged for a choir and works by Baltic composers such as Estonian Urmas Sisask.

While the music of the Advent concert is the focus of the day, the luncheon following the concert encourages folks to stay and enjoy friendships. A characteristically food- laden buffet including salmon (smoked or as gravlax), various meats, sauerkraut, and plenty of potato salad, is the centerpiece of the church’s social hall. For a number of years a small Christmas market with a handful of vendors squeezes into an adjoing conference room and onto the stage of the hall, providing the “shopping fix” for those who are so inclined.

We may associate the Latvian singing tradition with song festivals, but of course it extends further. The New York Latvian Concert Choir’s Advent Concert is a fine example of the fact that singing in general is good for the body and soul. What better time than heading into Christmas to give both body and soul a gift?

Paldies, Kristīna, for your beautiful post on this NYC Christmas tradition! Kristīna finds singing along with CDs in the car or with friends around the campfire one of the best ways to de-stress. She is hoping the activation of otherwise unstimulated areas of the brain that is required in choral singing will postpone the effects of age on her brain by a few minutes... Oh, Kristīna, of course singing keeps one young, especially at heart!

A side note, one of our favorite holiday albums is Christmas Joy in Latvia: Latvian Christmas Cantatas (2012) by the NY Latvian Concert Choir (conducted by Andrejs Jansons), which was named as one of the 'Top 25 Greatest Christmas Albums of All Time' by Rolling Stone.

 
Tomorrow we travel to Lithuania for a cup of coffee... Hope you'll join us!

Baltic Christmas Day 4 - ImantaDimanta and Friends!

ImantaDimanta drops an exclusive Christmas track on Day 4 of 24 Days of a Baltic Christmas!

Just for 24 Days of a Baltic Christmas, I am thrilled to present, Kas pie Rīgas dumpējās,  by ImantaDimanta!!!

Even more exciting is the release of the 2018 ImantaDimanta CENTENNIAL TOUR dates! The band will be touring America, coming to a city near you to celebrate Latvia's 100 year anniversary, as reported to us by Marisa Gudrā, Project Coordinator for the American Latvian Association.

The Latvian “post-folk” group ImantaDimanta & Friends is embarking on a U.S. concert tour, with stops among various Latvian community centers, as well as other cultural centers and music clubs. Stops include (and will be updated in the coming weeks, so check back here):

WASHINGTON (ROCKVILLE, MD) on Friday, March 2

GREENVILLE, SC on Sunday, March 4

HOUSTON, TX on Wednesday, March 7

LOS ANGELES on Saturday, March 10

SAN FRANCISCO on Sunday, March 11

SEATTLE on Saturday, March 17

DENVER (LAKEWOOD, CO) on Friday, March 23

LINCOLN, NE on Saturday, March 24

MINNEAPOLIS (ST PAUL, MN) on Sunday, March 25 

MILWAUKEE on Tuesday, March 27

CHICAGO on Wednesday, March 28

KALAMAZOO on Saturday, March 31 

DETROIT on Sunday, April 1

CLEVELAND (LAKEWOOD, OH) on Monday, April 2

NEW YORK on Wednesday, April 4

BOSTON (BROOKLINE, MA) on Friday, April 6 

PHILADELPHIA, PA on Saturday, April 7

PRIEDAINE (Freehold, NJ) on Sunday April 8

The ImantaDimanta & Friends CENTENNIAL TOUR will be the largest national cultural event in the U.S. commemorating the year of the Latvian Centennial – other than Latvian Independence Day. With musicians from the U.S., Germany and three from Latvia, ImantaDimanta & Friends is a testament to the fact that Latvians all over the world can understand and collaborate. Together they produce great music that will carry Latvia’s name out into the world.

In  May  2017 the  band released their first album, Izauga  mātei  brīnuma  meita (“The mother raised  a  wonderful  daughter”), which features a range of songs: some interpretations of traditional  Latvian folk songs and others inspired by Latvian folk texts (dainas) and set to original music.

The new CD, Izauga mātei brīnuma meita

There is still time to give someone #imantadimanta music for the holidays this year! You can find the new CD Izauga  mātei  brīnuma  meita on Bandcamp, iTunes and Google Play. Be sure to check out their YouTube channel for an intro video and tracks not on the disc!

The ImantaDimanta & Friends CENTENNIAL TOUR is organized by the American Latvian Association (ALA) and sponsored by the ALA Centennial Fund. While the American Latvian Association is the largest umbrella organization for Latvians in the U.S., and frequently sponsors events and concerts with a Latvian focus, this marks the first time that the non-profit organization is coordinating a full-scale national concert tour of the U.S. In the past year, ALA has taken the lead in raising and distributing funds for Latvian Centennial events that will be held independently by a multitude of organizations and individuals in the U.S. Alongside these (typically community-based or regional) events, the details of which can be found on latvia100usa.org, ALA finds it important to offer the American public an event of its own, with an ambitious goal. ALA aims to spread Latvian folk music far and wide, as well as to bring together Latvians of different American cities with a shared experience in the year of the Centennial!

Traveling with the group in their national tour will be an exhibit sponsored by the Latvian Ministry of Culture called “Treasures of Latvia”, which illustrates some of the talents and exports that have made a name for Latvia in world markets.

We welcome indie folk music-lovers of all backgrounds (Latvian or non-Latvian) to the shows in March 2018! All of the group’s members speak English and have incorporated into their repertoire a vast array of adaptations of American classics. While performing, the band can communicate with the audience in numerous languages, such as - Latvian, English, German, French and Russian. Everyone will find something to love in ImantaDimanta’s energetic live performance and bluegrass-inspired sounds!

Thanks to ImantaDimanta and Friends for the exclusive track, Kas pie Rīgas dumpējās!!! I hope you’ll head over to their Facebook page to stay up-to-date on the most recent info on the U.S. tour and their Rīga shows, and of course pick up their Izauga mātei brīnuma meita disc – one for yourself, one for a friend!

IMANTADIMANTA & FRIENDS!

(left to right)

Imanta Nīgale – vocals, mandolin

Kristaps Strods – bass

Krišjānis Sils – guitar

Matīss Uškāns – drums

Katrīna Dimanta – vocals, violin

  

Thank you to ALA and Marisa Gudrā, Projects Coordinator for the American Latvian Association, for sharing the release of the 2018 ImantaDimanta & Friends CENTENNIAL TOUR dates!

Join us tomorrow on Day Five for the 24 Days of a Baltic Christmas gift guide!