Biography

Podruzhki means "girlfriends" in Russian, and "Balkan" comes from the Turkish word for "mountain." We are a group of friends who learn and perform folk songs, especially dance songs, from Eastern Europe.

According to Patricia K. Shehan, "Throughout the Balkans, women are the principal transmitters of the song tradition." Since women's hands were always busy caring for their families, and thus their villages, the songs tended to be vocal, without accompanying instruments.

Balkan music is notable for its compound rhythms and multi-part harmonies, which make dancing and singing incredibly exciting. Our group includes women born in Europe as well as the daughters and granddaughters of immigrants, and some who just love the Balkan sound. Our songs are about - what else - courtship, marriage, rites of passage, and boasting of hometown charms.

Podruzhki has performed several times on KVMR-FM 89.5 (www.kvmr.org) in Nevada City, at various farmer's markets, for International Women's Day celebrations, a wedding, and monthly for community dancing in Nevada City. We add instruments at times - drums, fiddles, gadulka (Bulgarian fiddle), vielle (hurdy gurdy, for French songs), and mandolins for Croatian tunes.

Please see our contact page for booking information.

Arly Helm

Webmistress

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