On Tuesday night from 7pm-8pm, the Richmond Branch Library will host “Russian Folk Music, Old and New”, a program featuring singer Jonnie Pekelny accompanied by Toku Woo on guitar.
Born in the former Soviet Union and trained as a cantorial soloist, Pekelny brings a beautiful voice and special energy to every performance. Jonnie grew up singing the haunting, playful and soul filled melodies of the Russian countryside. By the time her family emigrated to the U.S. in the late seventies, she was hooked.
Jonnie has since participated and studied various musical traditions — from her classical music education at U.C. Santa Cruz, to her participation in a women’s World Music group. Throughout it all, however, she has maintained a special love for Russian folk music with its sweet, fiery, humorous, irreverent and honest songs of rural and working Russia.
In addition to collecting and performing Russian music, Jonnie currently sings with the Loose Canons, a Bay Area women’s World Music chorus.
Tuesday night’s event is free; the library is located at 351 9th Avenue. Below is a lovely performance from the Kremlin Capella group singing a traditional Russian folk song.
Sarah B.
thank you very much!!