Tamburitzans will be in Zumbrota

The Zumbrota Area Arts Council and Encore, the ZAAC fundraising organization for the State Theatre renovation, will hold a benefit performance Aug. 11 featuring the Tamburitzans. The ensemble will perform at 7 p.m. in the Zumbrota-Mazeppa High School auditorium.

This international troupe from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh has traveled the globe for more than 70 years presenting a wide variety of folk dance and music representing Eastern Europe and neighboring cultures.

Both Zumbrota and Red Wing have played host to the group.

Zumbrota was introduced to the Tamburitzans when Avon Marvin saw the ensemble while attending a conference in Pittsburgh. She arranged form the group to join Zumbrota's sesquicentennial celebration activities in 2006. The group came back the next year.

The Tamburitzans began as a small orchestra in Missouri in 1937, moved to Texas and eventually settled in Pittsburgh. The ensemble is named after the stringed folk instrument, the tambura or tamburitza, which is played in the show.

The Tamburitzans is the longest-running live stage show in the country, and the group has become a cultural and historical legacy at Duquesne University.

Show capture the spirit of Eastern European cultures with dance, music and use of ethnic languages and costumes. Through music and movement, the troupe members portray the human experience with passion.

The ensemble consists of college students who have an ambition to use their talent in an unusual manner to secure higher education. Ensemble members receive scholarship aid for their participation and may study in any discipline offered at the university.

Concurrently, they present their show on weekends and semester breaks across the country and throughout the world. People can learn more at website www.duq.edu/tamburitzans.

Proceeds from this fundraising event will be used by ZAAC to assist with purchase and renovation of the historic State Theatre in Zumbrota. The State Theatre will be improved by adding lobby and concession space and restroom facilities. Necessary repairs and updates will also be made to the 1921 building. ZAAC intends the building to be used as a multipurpose, community entertainment and meeting center. Advance tickets are $20, and $24 at the door. All tickets are general seating.

For tickets, contact Crossings at Carnegie at 507-732-7616 or call 507-732-7446 and leave a message.

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