CHISHOLM—The Tamburitzans are rehearsing for the debut of their 88th season, and their first performance is at Minnesota Discovery Center in Chisholm.
“We are really excited to have the Tamburitzans return to MDC,” Char Conger Executive Director at MDC wrote in an email earlier this week. “They are such a beautifully unique group that showcases ethnic dancing and music. I hope to see a great turn out for them this year.”
The Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based Tamburitzans are set to take the stage at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 9, at the outdoor amphitheater at MDC. They are a multi-cultural music and dance ensemble, with high energy and elaborate costumes that first started performing at the former Ironworld (now MDC) in the 1970s.
“We absolutely love going to Chisholm,” Alyssa Bushunow, Executive Director for the Tamburitzans and former performer with the group said in a phone interview. “It’s a very special moment to see the crowd—and that energy hasn’t changed in all the years of coming there.”
The show in Chisholm is one of eight this August, including shows in Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania.
The good news for the audience is that there is a brand new show every year.
“Come every season and get a new experience,” Bushunow said.
Performers with the Tamburitzans are full-time students and are awarded scholarships for their participation. They have “chosen to continue the Tamburitzans’ legacy by brining international cultures to the modern stage,” according to the organization’s website.
The Tamburitzans started out in an Eastern European dance ensemble, and throughout the past 88 years have evolved into an international dance ensemble. Their show includes elaborate costumes, and a variety of folk dances and music representing the various cultures.
“The Tamburitzans exist to preserve and celebrate international cultural heritages through artistic performance, while awarding talented performers with scholarships to Pittsburgh-based universities for their contributions and dedication to the Arts,” reads a mission statement on the group’s website.
Bushunow said the show originated as Eastern European and now includes material from all over the globe to increase awareness and share the culture of people from various backgrounds.
History of the Tamburitzans
The Tamburitzans are the longest-running live stage shows of its kind and began in the early 1930s when Dr. A. Lester Pierce met tamburitza musicians Matt L. Gouze, Frank Gouze, and Anthony Atoncic, according to a history found on the group’s website.
Pierce negotiated work scholarships for the three young musicians and formed “St. Thomas Tamburitza Trio,” and they headed east with their musical variety show, stopping in Pittsburgh. Impressed with the cultural diversity of Pittsburgh, the group made a permanent home for the ensemble in the form of a work scholarship agreement with Duquesne University, and the group eventually became known as the “Duquesne University Tamburitzans,” coined by a University reporter in the late 1940s.
It all began when Dr. A. Lester Pierce met tamburitza musicians Matt L. Gouze, Frank Gouze, and Anthony Antoncic in the early 1930’s. His intrigue with the folk instrument, tamburitza sparked an idea which has endured as one of the world’s finest, longest-running live stage shows of its kind. Dr. Pierce negotiated work scholarships for these three young musicians and formed “St. Thomas Tamburitza Trio”.In 1937, headed east with their musical variety show, stopping in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Impressed with the cultural diversity of the city, the group made a permanent home for the ensemble in the form of a work scholarship agreement with Duquesne University. This newly formed group would eventually be known as the “Duquesne University Tamburitzans”, coined by a University reporter during the late 1940’s.
Since 2014 the Tamburitzans have operated as an independent, nonprofit organization and allows students from Pittsburgh-based universities and colleges, including Duquesne University to audition and perform.
“The move was envisioned to help increase the ensemble’s applicant pool, allow for a more robust performance schedule, and to help position the group to pursue charitable support from individuals, the foundations community, corporations, and government agencies,” as stated on the website.
The Tamburitzans are part of the Red Dirt Concert Series taking place at Minnesota Discovery Center this summer. Tickets and more information are available online at https://www.tickettailor.com/events/minnesotadiscoverycenter.
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