The Russian Center located 909 Wilson Ave - Chicago, IL. 60626 - a few blocks east of Truman College - phone 773-467-3857 - every Tuesday from 1:30 pm till 4 pm - hosts some fun cultural presentations for older or younger Russians or anybody who likes cultural pieces. If they notice non-Russian speakers - the organizers translate the main gist of the events presented.
Last Tues. July 27-2010 - I was entertained - which means I cried and laughed during a multi-media presentation done by an 80 plus years young - multi talented Russian poet, prosaic, vocalist, composer and musician plus an accomplished master of ceremonies - Mr. Mikhail Kleiner. I intended to stay briefly but the presentation "sucked me in" and didn't let me leave until the very end. I need to mention that even though the show was top notch - two and a half hours should be condensed to ninety minutes - even though it would be a tad longer than a customary one hour presentation - but ninety minutes with an intermission could be managed since the material was worthy an extra time.
The multi-media presentation consisted of video taped part showing the concert in Minsk, Belarus - which could be shortened quite a bit. The first part of the presentation was well presented and magnificently done - with the first number a fabulous Tango - "I wait and wait for you" with the vocals by Fira Rechman - a veteran performer who knows exactly how to deliver lyrics and music in a professional manner which means using dramatic devices of her voice and speech to make a listener - cry or laugh. Then followed a vocal demonstration of a few more spiritual songs - based on an Old Testament Psalms done by a fine older singer Mr. Michail Garlovecki who also knows how to be a presence on a stage since the material he presented could be tedious.
The comment should be made that both singers were superbly accompanied by a masterful piano work by Ms. Olga Bashkena - an accomplish pianist and an instrumental arranger - who certainly knows how to use her instrument as not to upstage the vocals - but showcase her piano skills and the beauty of Mr. Kleiner's compositions.
The second part of the presentation (a video taped Minsk - Belarus - concert) was a tad long and could be condensed. It was a performance - presented and skillfully led by Mr. Kleiner which took place in 1990 in Minsk - Belorus - before most of the creative Belarus Jews - massively left Belarus. Mr. Kleiner sang, played the electric gitar, delivered his poetry and did a good job - as a master of ceremonies.
If you speak Russian and are interested in rich and fabulous Russian culture - by all means - check out the Russian Center - Tuesdays - 1:30 pm. Their phone again -773-467-3857.
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