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 Kansas City was treated to a kaleidoscope of colorful, multi-cultural Eastern European ethnic music and dance when the Duquesne Tamburitzans returned to perform after almost 20 years.   Now in their 73rd year, the Tamburitzans are the longest running live stage show in the US, and have close ties with descendants of Eastern Europe in the Kansas City area.  Originally founded in Missouri, the Tamburitzan Orchestra moved to Austin, Texas, before finally finding a permanent home in Pittsburgh, PA at Duquesne University in 1937.  They have been performing semi-professionally since that time, 60-80 shows a year throughout the country. 

Despite very little local publicity, (and being a last minute addition and final stop for the tour), the Duquesne Tamburitzans performed to a full house on Thursday, June 3, in the Polsky Theater at JCCC.  Since the popular folk dance and music group had not been in Kansas City for almost two decades, the group was warmly welcomed and well-received by an appreciative audience, which included many people from the Strawberry Hill area, and many of whom had trained as Junior Tamburitzans as children under the tutelage and direction of local champion accordionist, Don Lipovac. 

There are many Junior Tamburitzan groups around the country that teach young children the music, dance and cultural traditions of Eastern Europe.  These youngsters work very hard to learn the instrument, music, lyrics, costumes, and dances of a vast variety of Eastern European cultures, including Croatia, Bulgaria, Serbia, Slovenia, Slovakia, Greece, Ukraine, Macedonia, Poland, Hungary, Moldova, Russia, and others.  Many of them then go on to audition and compete for coveted scholarships at Duquesne University to become part of this world-famous performance group. 

As the show began, local supporters of the Tamburitzan organization were acknowledged, as well as Duquesne alumni who had performed with the group in their youth.  Once the show started, each selection was presented with a short narrative explaining the costumes, the country of origin, and purpose for the dance.  There were 10 selections for each half of the show, making 20 pieces total, but the pieces varied widely in tone, pace, size, and choreography.  Due to the immense variety, and the helpful narration, the show moved very quickly and seamlessly, with nary a dull moment. 

Each selection was performed with authentic music, instruments, lyrics, and with detail to costuming.  The company of 33 students are of Eastern European descent, and embody the 12 countries represented in the musical repertory. 

All of the dances were superb, carefully choreographed, and well-executed.  Aesthetics and athletics were interwoven in breath-taking harmony.  Particularly impressive were the challenging male dances, proving to any doubters that you must be in shape to do folk dance well. 

Some of the more outstanding pieces included the Rumanian "Common Ground" (an all-male Gypsy competitive "slap" dance, where the men slap their bodies in quick succession while executing complicated jumps, kicks, and turns), the Serbian "Gypsy Songs and Dances from around Vranje" (an all-female ensemble dancing first with handkerchiefs, then with tambourines), the "Suite of Greek Dances," the Hungarian "Bottle Dance" (an all-female ensemble playful-competition dance balancing wine bottles on their heads), and the very humorous Russian "Sailor's Dance" (another all-male ensemble competition dance with very energetic popular Russian folk dance steps).  The "Sailor's Dance" was the hit of evening for its humor and male prowess, but the women's Gypsy Dance and Bottle Dance were the more memorable as dance performance. 

After the performance, the cast joined the audience in the lobby for a "meet and greet," posing for photos, offering autographs, and even playing an impromptu after-show concert.  Audience members lingered long after the performance, expressing their hopes that the company will resume its annual visits to Kansas City. 

This was a terrific show with a polished cast.  If you missed this performance, you missed a real treat.  Those of us who are Tamburitzan fans will wait with bated breath for their return to the Kansas City area. 

REVIEW:
The Performing Arts Series at JCCC
Duquesne Tamburitzans
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Polsky Theater at JCCC
12345 College, Overland Park, KS
www.jccc.edu/performing-arts-series

By Nicole English

Dance Contributor (Past writer)