Friends, we’re glad you’re here. And we’re glad to be back with you as well. Can we all take a deep collective breath together? Yes, just like that. Ok. If you follow us regularly, you may be wondering whatever happened to OBI after lockdown began in March of 2020—we know[…]
ABOUT KOLYADA – WINTER SONGS FROM THE BLACK SEA Tired of the same old same old at the holidays? Kolyada is an evening of local Eastern European folk ensembles and artists joining voices and esoteric instruments — like the aurally (and visually) interesting toaca, the taragot and the gadulka —[…]
Where has the time gone? We keep talking about how OBI started in 2002, but…that was 16 YEARS AGO! Though we don’t quite remember the official date of our birth, we’re nearly sure it was in December, so we’re celebrating our band’s 16th birthday at our monthly 3rd Wednesday series[…]
Hi, all! Natalie here. My bandmates were kind enough to let me Bogart our monthly 3rd Wednesday series for April because it is the actual day I celebrate A MILESTONE BIRTHDAY! Which milestone? Well, you’ll have to attend to find out. You might notice by the event image that this might get[…]
OBI is proud to announce our newest member of the band: please welcome bassist Liz Draper! [cue applause] We’ve already had a chance to perform with her at Tapestry Folkdance Center in November. and she was awesome. We’re now very excited to have her join our ensemble. A bit about[…]
By now many of our hardcore fans have heard that our bassist, Matt Miller, has decided to take a break and will be leaving OBI at the end of the year. We’re sad to see him go, but we wish him all the very best as he begins a new chapter. We[…]
We’ve had quite a ride these last 6+ years curating the 3rd Thursday Balkan Party Night at the Black Dog Cafe in Lowertown St. Paul, and it’s been fun to bring our music to new audiences every month through this series. Though OBI still has a healthy plate of upcoming[…]
Last fall, our awesome fiddle player, Colleen, started a grand adventure, thanks to a Fullbright Grant that allowed her to do a year’s worth of field study in Romania of Transylvanian string players. She kept up a blog of her own with thoughts on music and identity (check it out[…]
It’s back, and it’s in St. Paul for the first time ever! Join OBI and Mila Vocal Ensemble at the Bedlam Lowertown 3/1. From our press release: Bulgarian Martenitsa Show Comes To Bedlam Lowertown March 1 Orkestar Bez Ime and Mila Vocal Ensemble Celebrate Their Annual Balkan Spring Celebration In a New, Dance-Friendly[…]
Those of you who joined us last March at The Celtic Junction might remember that we had a pretty amazing show. Not only was the house packed, but we also got to premier some new compositions thanks to a grant from the American Composers Forum. The product of that show—an[…]