(at Baltimore Avenue)
Philadelphia, PA 19143
Children’s programs begin at 6:00, last 30-40 minutes, and are free to children under 12 and their parents or other caregivers. Unless otherwise noted, they take place at the same location as the concert. Seating is first come, first served.
Please note: children must be accompanied by parents or other adults at all times as we do not have the staff or legal clearences to supervise unaccompanied children.
Eva Salina is a renowned singer, interpreter, and teacher of traditional and traditionally-based Balkan music. Nurtured through years of mentorship by some of the greatest living Balkan musicians, Eva has devoted her life to the longevity and evolution of East European musical traditions. Eva’s rich, supple voice moves effortlessly through the intricate and demanding expression inherent in Romani songs, intertwining vintage pop sounds with her singular interpretations. Eva is a 2012 OneBeat Fellow, a 2015 NYFA Fellow in Folk/Traditional Arts, and a 2016 OneBeat Istanbul Fellow; she is also an experienced, devoted educator and an in-demand vocal instructor and consultant, working internationally with singers of all levels of experience.
Peter “Perica” Stan is a Serbian/Romanian Romani accordionist known equally for his playfulness and innovation as he is for his undeniably soulful, intuitive improvisations. Thirty years working as a freelance musician in New York City have broadened the spectrum of his musical influences far beyond his direct cultural heritage, so you never know what Peter will coax out of his instrument, what story he will weave—each song different, every time.
Together, Eva and Peter draw on a strong musical friendship, the diversity of their creative professional experiences, and their shared love of Balkan Romani music, creating a welcoming space where joy and sorrow seamlessly coexist. In their performance, mournful ballads nestle gently among songs of celebration, bringing the listener on a journey that encapsulates both the beauty and the complexity of daily life.
For the last few songs of the second set, Eva and Peter will be joined by the West Philadelphia Orchestra. With a diverse line-up of professional Philadelphia musicians whose influences range from Sun Ra to Bulgarian brass bands, WPO is a unique live ensemble in today’s auto-tuned musical world. They began playing Romanian ballads, Macedonian folk-dance songs, Bulgarian wedding music, and klezmer in late 2006, and have continued expanding their repertoire of Eastern European music. The band also plays original tunes which blend other sounds, like jazz and classical, together with traditional Balkan sounds. As much a community as a band, WPO’s performances are celebratory events. With blistering beats and walls of brass, they inspire audiences to hold hands, dance, and slip the yoke of the homogenized culture industry.
