Musicians: Raul Rothblatt (bass), Gyorgy "Gyuri" Kaaan (contrabass, three-stringed viola), Bence Kalan (lead violin), Miklos Kertesz (accordion, viola, dance). Dancer: Andrea Kalan.
Hungarian folk band Eletfa brings to life the rich music and dance traditions of rural Hungary. Consisting of 17-year-old lead violinist, Bence Kalan, and musicians born in both Hungary and the US, Eletfa pays tribute to the local Hungarian heritage by performing in Manhattan’s Yorkville neighborhood.
Eletfa is deeply connected to the Hungarian community in North America and has helped sustain its existence by organizing dance events that respect the authentic regional styles of Hungarian culture.
Free and open to the public. Suggested donation $10. RSVP through Eventbrite is required.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions for indoor events, seating capacity is limited and on first-come first-served basis. Reservations must be made in advance. Wearing a face mask is required. No tickets will be available at the door, and anyone who has not received pre-event confirmation will be turned away. Read about Festival Safety Protocol.
BENCE KALAN (lead violin) has been immersed the Hungarian culture since he was born, has been playing music since he was five, and has been performing weekly for Hungarian folk dance parties and community practices since middle school. He likes to play basketball, bike and sit listen to chord changes and bowings of village musicians from the Carpathian mountains.
MIKLOS KERTESZ (accordion, viola, dance) was born and raised in New Jersey. He was exposed to Hungarian folk music and dancing at a young age. His viola teachers include József Szász and Péter Árendás. After finishing his university studies, he moved to Budapest for several years and continued dancing and playing music. Miklós expanded to also playing the accordion and learned from the master Hungarian folk accordionist Zoltán Bobár. Miklós currently resides in New Jersey and is an active member of the Hungrian folk scene in New York and New Jersey. Whenever he is not playing music at a dance house, he is dancing.
GYORGY “GYURI” KALAN (kontra or 3-string viola), born in Miskolc, Hungary, started learning Hungarian folk music from local Roma musicians at age 14. After studying with Hungary's premier kontra player, Péter Árendás, he moved to New York in 1998. He has been active in seemingly every Hungarian folk band ever since. His infectiously joyful commitment to the authentic village styles has spread to his son, who will be leading tonight's performance
RAUL ROTHBLATT (bass), born in San Francisco, came to New York in 1993 for his Masters in Musical Theater Composition at the Tisch School of the Arts. He has been performing with Életfa and the Hungarian-American community since 1994. He is a leader in preserving and promoting Hungarian and other cultures. After a 17 struggle, he helped lead the fight to get landmark protection for 227 Duffield, an Abolitionist home in Downtown Brooklyn. For the last three years, he has organized panel discussions and walking tours of Brownsville, Brooklyn's Jewish history.
ABOUT THE 2021 REHEARSAL FOR TRUTH THEATER FESTIVAL
The 2021 Rehearsal for Truth Theater Festival honoring Vaclav Havel is organized by the Vaclav Havel Library Foundation and Bohemian Benevolent and Literary Association. The program is co-produced by the Czechoslovak-American Marionette Theatre, GOH Productions, Czech Center New York, Polish Cultural Institute New York, One-Eighth/Daniel Irizarry Theater, Slovak Consulate General in New York, Palissimo Company, and Arts and Theatre Institute in Prague, Czech Republic.
The 2021 Rehearsal for Truth Theater Festival is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and Council Member Ben Kallos. Additional support is by the Consulate General of the Czech Republic in New York, Ceskoslovenska obchodni banka – Member of the KBC Group, PACE.V4 – Performing Arts Central Europe, Visegrad Countries Focus, and International Visegrad Fund.