Massenkoff Russian Folk Festival November 4, 2012

Celebrate the music of Russia with the Massenkoff Russian Folk Festival starring "World Celebrated Singer" Nikolai Massenkoff featuring Russian folk instruments and Russian folk ballet.

Pre-concert music will be performed by Hannah Tran and Meghan Tran playing the Chinese Zither. The students are sponsored by the Centennial High School Orchestra which is directed by Matt Ouska.

Russian culture captivates people around the world. One of Russia's most celebrated performing arts groups, the Massenkoff Russian Folk Festival, brings the heart of Russian culture to Rabobank Theater. Experience traditional songs, dazzling dances, and live music - Russian culture at its finest!

Join the BCCA as we celebrate the 95th Anniversary of the 1917 Russian Revolution.

Russian, Cossack, Ukrainian and Gypsy singer Nikolai Massenkoff was born of Russian parents in the "White Russian" community in China. Nikolai holds Bachelor's Degree from San Francisco State University majoring in music, speech and drama. He is currently based in San Francisco, California.

Massenkoff has performed worldwide: Carnegie Hall, with over 15 major symphony orchestras here and abroad 100 performances at the International Division of Epcot Center major performing arts centers before 90,000 people at the Olympics in Korea Universities and Colleges Arts Education shows on national and international television in a movie with Robin Williams on stage with Bob Hope, Julio Iglesias, Glen Campbell, Ray Charles, Tony Bennett, Brooke Shields and Liberace and they have toured in over 38 States and six countries. In 2003 Nikolai performed at Pushkin Museum in Moscow, where he was honored as "Singer of the Day," for performing Russian music over 20 years. Helicon Records of Israel released a CD, which included Nikolai Massenkoff with this Century's greatest artists. He has recorded with the legendary Ossipov Orchestra in Russia.

In 1975, Nikolai founded the Massenkoff Russian Folk Festival, a festival of russian music song and dance because of love for his Russian heritage. He has performed more than two decades both nationally and internationally to great acclaim. These performances included: Carnegie Hall Olympic Stadium in Seoul, Korea before a live audience of 90,000 people over 100 performances at the International Division of Epcot Center's World Stage in Florida with major symphony orchestras -- San Francisco, Baltimore, Edmonton, Honolulu, Palm Beach, Flagstaff, London, Edmonton and in 2005 appeared with the Cincinnati Symphony major performing arts centers national and international television, including Sudwestfunk (Baden, Baden, Germany) and the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas.

Official Website: http://www.bakersfieldcca.org