Bulgarian dance music sets toes tapping at SRU
Slippery Rock University hosted a musical performance this week that stayed in tune with its ongoing Kaleidoscope Festival.
“The idea of a Kaleidoscope is the constantly shifting colors,” said Warren Davidson, an SRU professor of the Exploring World Music. “This adds another color to the kaleidoscope.”
About 75 students and community members attended a Bulgarian musical performance Wednesday in the Spotts Auditorium as part of the festival, which kicked off last week.
The event's mission is to bring free or low-cost programs to an underserved region, according to the festival's director, Deanna Brookins, who is also a professor in the theater department.
Brookins said the festival helps showcase not only SRU's own talent in the arts but also bringing cultural displays to the borough.
“Art lets us experience the range of human emotion,” Brookins said. “We can laugh together, cry together and explore together.”
Davidson said he encouraged his students to attend the performance of accordion player Vlado Mollov.
Mollov's hands fluttered at rapid, sporadic speeds as he played Bulgarian dance music for the crowd, accompanied by Nick Vranesevic on bass and Mark Jovanovich on guitar.
“It's one thing to read about a place and its history, geography and culture,” Davidson said. “Better than that is experiencing it through live music.”
Jacob Jenis, an SRU freshman, said before the performance that he was hoping to be surprised as he has by other performances he's seen in Davidson's class.
“An accordion is one of those instruments you usually joke about,” Jenis said.
Jenis said Wednesday was a good opportunity to see something foreign while still in the comfort of campus.
“Most kids here are from PA, so we're not exposed to more than we hear from here,” Jenis said. “This exposes us to things we wouldn't otherwise.”
Mason Bell, an SRU freshman, said the class and the performance suit her well as she studies art through exploration.
“I've heard an accordion before, but other than that I'm not really sure (what to expect,)” she said. “I think it's interesting, and I always enjoy learning about different cultures.”
Janine Berner, a Slippery Rock resident, said she and her friends thought the performance would be fun.
“I think it's wonderful, and I think they should have more of these (performances,)” Berner said.
Brookins said the festival averages about 3,500 patrons to its events every year. She said this year the festival scheduled around 30 events with many of the popular ones yet to come.
“It's a really vibrant time on campus,” she said.
The festival continues through the next two weeks, leading up to a final children's Earth Day event and the 29th annual Macoskey Center EarthFest from noon to 6 p.m. at the Macoskey Center, 247 Harmony Road. The event is free and open to the public.
“I believe people in Butler would really enjoy bringing kiddos out to the event,” Brookins said. “It's just a really wonderful day.”
A full list of Kaleidoscope events is available on SRU's website.
