|
By Dr. Suzana Tkalcic
Director for Cultural Affairs
May 16th, 2010. was the day when Croatian Cultural Center of Greater Los Angeles opened its doors to a wide audience for its “1st Annual Spring Concert of the Croatian Cultural Center of Greater Los Angeles”. In an attempt to bring Croatian cultural tradition to the area, the CCCGLA brought to San Pedro Mr. Tom Yeseta and his orchestra from downtown LA, and hosted many guests to present Croatian music and folklore to the public. The orchestra carried a 1.5 hr program effortlessly streaming through the strings of the old instruments. Croatian Cultural Center Children’s Choir lead by Mr. Nada Matulic and Dr. Suzana Tkalcic opened the program in cute folk costumes from Prigorje singing “Boze cuvaj Hrvatsku” and “Hrvatska mati me rodila”, brining tears to the eyes of the moved audience. Young soloists Emily Baltorinic and Ana Kunza showed their potential with their clear voices, as they sung some more popular folk songs. Croatian Cultural Center Singers presented Dalmatia and other regions of Croatia through their songs and costumes. A diverse program also included Mr. Chris Thomas on accordion and his band that brought showed us some polka.
As the CCCGLA echoed with melody from St. Anthony’s tamburitza orchestra and the singers, a large audience that included many proud family members, and a number of honorary guests, including Msgnr. Diomartic, Croatian Consul General Mr. Ilija Zelalic and his family, and several local community leaders were presented with a piece of Croatian heritage for that Sunday afternoon.
Mr. John Viculin was the Master of Ceremony that brought forward some stories of the Croatian history and folklore, making the event quite educational as well. At the end of the concert, before the grand tamburitza finale: “Ero s onoga svijeta”, president of the Friends of the Croatian Cultural Center Inc., Mrs. Maya Bristow, and Director of Cultural Affairs, Dr. Suzana Tkalcic have recognized Mr. Franjo Baltorinic, who organized the whole event, for its efforts, and thanked especially Mr. Tom Yeseta for a wonderful performance and many years of dedication and efforts in preserving traditions of tamburitza music in Greater Los Angeles area.
You can see all the photos at THIS link.
Thank you Mr. Zeljko Sumera for the photos. |
