Please let us know of any dates to include in the calendar at least 2 weeks prior to event.

© London Bulgarian Choir 2023

Coming soon

Concert with Amsterdam choir Chubritsa, 30 November

Grand Junction, Paddington, London

We're delighted to welcome our sister choir Chubritsa back to London.

Please note that this is an AFTERNOON GIG, with a 3pm start! Grand Junction is hosting a ceilidh in the evening – we'll go, and we plan to take Chubritsa dancing...

Buy your Tickets here and now!

Doors 14:30 for a 15:00 start. Tickets £15 full, £10 conc, £6 children
Here's Grand Junction's site for directions – and for tickets for the ceildih in the evening.

BNR broadcast, Thursday, 28th November

TBA, London

We are enormously proud and delighted to be invited to participate in this live broadcast on Bulgarian National Radio. We welcome you as our live audience and to tune in online.

The event celebrates the National Radio's Bulgarian Ambassadors of Culture. In 2023, our Music Director Dessi was voted as one of the ambassadors. The National Radio will interview Dessi and fellow Ambassadors film director Yavor Gurdev and the Director of the Sofia Opera and Ballet Plamen Kartalov.

Thursday, 28th November, 7pm, (doors 6:45) Please save the date - full details to be announced soon.

Find our concerts on Songkick

London Bulgarian Choir gig dates

Recent Events

In 2020/21, we cancelled our gigs, and turned to rehearsals as far as we were able. We met met in small groups under a bridge in the Barbican and in parks in Kensington, Bermondsey, Camberwell and the City - and struggled choir-fully with Zoom and Jamulus.

Es Devlin's Congregation, 4 – 9 October 2024

St Mary Le Strand, London

We were part of Es Devlin's Congregation artwork for UNHCR, and outside St Mary Le Strand at 7 on 4, 5, 6, 8 and 9 October. We contributed to a short piece written especially for the artwork, along with The Genesis Sixteen, the South African Cultural Gospel Choir UK, and The Choir of King’s College London.

Congregation is a monumental collective portrait installation created by Es Devlin in support of UK for UNHCR.

WOMAD Open Air Stage

WOMAD UK 2024, Malmesbury, 27 July 2024

We had a magical time at sunny WOMAD, and drew a packed crowd when we kicked off the Saturday program on the main stage.

Concert with Nusha Choir from Bulgaria, Wednesday 15 May

St Peter's Notting Hill, London

We're delighted to be joined by Nusha, Bulgaria’s youngest professional choir – with their leader, star singer Neli Andreeva.
We've been fans of Nusha Choir for years – and at last they're on their way to the UK. Come and hear the most moving music in London!
See more of Nusha on YouTube.
Neli Andreeva leads Nusha. You might also know her as the phenomenal soloist and composer of Malka Moma - a song which brought her international fame.

Buy tickets on the door – £20, £15 concessions. Doors 7pm, gig 7:30.

We're at St Peter's Notting Hill – it's a wonderful church with an inspiring acoustic. Closest tubes are Notting Hill and Ladbrooke Grove, and the 52 and 452 buses run even closer.

Add To Playlist, 7:15pm Friday 9 February

BBC Radio 4

Catch us on the first of the new series of Add To Playlist! We were very excited to join Cerys Matthews and Jeffrey Boakye in the studio to sing live, and to talk with Corinne Bailey Rae and Nicky Spence. Listen to the program from 7:15 on Friday 9th.

The LBC get Turban-charged

Grand Junction, Paddington, London, 16 December 2023

After our Cornish adventure, we were really keen to do another gig with the Turbans - this time a bit closer to home. We did two gigs, one shorter and earlier for families with kids, the other later and longer. Dessi's Londonche Children's Choir joined us for their first big gig!

Here's Grand Junction's page. Grand Junction is a venue for the community, arts and culture based at St Mary Magdalene Church. The bar serves a selection of craft beer, wine, soft drinks and snacks, and we understand that there is a new café overlooking the canal. St Mary Magdalene is an amazing space with a wonderful sound. We know it well; before it was Grand Junction, we were lucky enough to rehearse there regularly, and used it for a preview of material from our album 'Songs of Forbidden Love'. It's had some changes since...

Thracian tour 2-5 November

We're travelling to Bulgaria for a swift autumn tour...

Voivodinovo, 2 November

Private Concert

Plovdiv Academy of Music, Dance and Art (AMTII), 3 November, 3pm

Concert with the Academic Folk Ensemble, ul. "Todor Samodumov" 2, 4000 Staria grad, Plovdiv, Bulgaria – Free, 3pm start

Concert Celebrating Kiril Todorov, 4th November, 6:30pm

Stara Zagora, Chitalishte St Kliment Ohridski, bul. "Tsar Simeon Veliki" Blvd 156, Free

Stara Zagora Opera House, 5th November, 6pm

Concert with The Zagorche Ensemble celebrating Venelin Krustev’s legacy. By invitation.

with Folklore Ensemble Bulgaria, 11 November 2023

Salvation Army Regent's Hall, London

Concert with Folklore Ensemble Bulgaria and Morski. Details to follow, see poster..

Dance Umbrella: Village / Theo Clinkard

Studio Wayne McGregor, HereEast, 14 October 2023

We're working with Theo on this remarkable widescreen piece due 2024/25, and sang as part of this industry presentation. Details at https://danceumbrella.co.uk/event/studio-sessions-2023/

Panagyurishte Treasure / Folklore Ensemble Bulgaria

British Museum, London, 23 Jun 2023

The new exhibition Luxury and power: Persia to Greece includes Bulgaria's gorgeous golden Panagyurishte Treasure. We'll be performing alongside dance group Folklore Ensemble Bulgaria to support the exhibition.
Concert followed by a ticketed talk from 19.00–20.00 on The Gold of Thrace: the Panagyurishte Treasure by Prof Boni Petrunova, Director of the National Museum of History in Sofia, Bulgaria.

Free event! 18:00-18:30, Great Court, details here.

Minack Theater with The Turbans

Porthcurno, Cornwall, 16th June 2023

The choir went even further west for this outdoor gig with The Turbansin the stunning Minack Theatre, presented by The Cornish Bank.

Cornish Bank with The Turbans

The Cornish Bank, Falmouth, 15 June 2023

We took up a short residency in Falmouth to rehearse and collaborate with our old mates The Turbans, treading a fine line between our two repertoires with plenty of one off moments. This intimate gig packed the Cornish Bank to the edges. Smashing.

Alphabet Day, 24 May 2023

Bulgarian Embassy

A short set with children from the Bulgarian School to celebrate the Cyrillic Alphabet

Bristol, 4 March

Redland Park URC Church, Whiteladies Road, Redland BS6 6SA

We return to Bristol to banish the winter darkness and celebrate the rites of spring Bulgarian-style, with storming songs and earth-stirring rhythms. We're joined by our friends A Spell In Time for rituals and shining tales.

• Workshop with Dessi 3-5pm ++SOLD OUT++
• Concert 7.30-9.30pm (doors open at 7pm), £15/10 from Pitchblend via TicketTailor.

Welcome, Spring! Saturday 25 February, 6pm (doors 5:15)

Grand Junction in St Mary Magdalene Paddington, Rowington Close, W2 5TF

Banish the winter darkness and celebrate the rites of spring Bulgarian-style with storming songs and earth-stirring rhythms.

Rituals and shining tales from A Spell In Time.

Grand Junction has a bar, which will be open all evening. Perhaps the whole crowd will end up singing and dancing...

Here's Grand Junction's page. Grand Junction is a venue for the community, arts and culture based at St Mary Magdalene Church. The bar serves a selection of craft beer, wine, soft drinks and snacks, and we understand that there is a new café overlooking the canal. St Mary Magdalene is an amazing space with a wonderful sound. We know it well; before it was Grand Junction, we were lucky enough to rehearse there regularly, and used it for a preview of material from our album 'Songs of Forbidden Love'. It's had some changes since...

Big Winter Gig

St Peter’s Church Notting Hill,3 December 2022

We sold out the glorious St Peter’s Church in Notting Hill for our Big Winter Gig, and bought joy, rituals and our own special stocking fillers.

Come Home Again, Choral Evensong

Tate Modern, London, 21, 22, 24 Sept, 1 Oct (and more...) 2022

Es Devlin's large-scale outdoor illuminated choral sculpture Come Home Again at Tate Modern highlighted the 243 animals on London's priority list. It was free to see, and open from 10am to 10pm. We sang evensong on several evenings (and the press night); you can also hear the London African Gospel Choir, The South African Cultural Gospel CHoir, The Choir with No Name, Southwark Cathedral Merbecke Choir, The Sixteen and Tenebrae.

King's Cross Summer Sounds - Family Sunday: Voices Unwrapped

Coal Drops Yard, King’s Cross, London, 21 August 2022

We did two free gigs as part of this series of open air concerts in Coal Drops Yard, sharing the afternoon with sets from London Community Gospel Choir and Bellow Fellows

Radio 3's In Tune

Radio 3, 15 September 2022

Choir members sang live on In Tune, Radio 3, and got Sean Rafferty giggling...bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006tp0c
Listen to us until 15th October 2022

Come Home Again, Choral Evensong, 7:15-8pm on

Tate Modern, London, 21, 22, 24, 30 September and 1 October

Es Devlin's large-scale outdoor illuminated choral sculpture Come Home Again at Tate Modern highlighted the 243 animals on London's priority list. We sang evensong on several evenings, sharing the event with the London African Gospel Choir, The South African Cultural Gospel Choir, The Choir with No Name, Southwark Cathedral Merbecke Choir, The Sixteen and Tenebrae.

Voices Unwrapped Festival, Friday 23rd September, 7:30

King’s Place, London

We sold out the venue for this special evening with harvest songs of fruitfulness, and songs of independence to celebrate Bulgaria’s independence day. Here's the page at Kings' Place.

Koprivshtitva Folk Festival

Koprivshtitva, Bulgaria, 5 August 2022

We went as a choir while touring in 2010 and 2015, but Koprivshtitsva 2020 was delayed until this year. Ten of us travelled out for fun – and were delighted to be asked to perform on the Friday night in town, and on the Saturday morning on BNR. We were inspired by the skill and commitment of so many singers, and ended with had a magical evening in our village house, exchanging songs with our friends in the glorious Balkan/Greek female vocal group Pleiades.

Leigh-On-Sea Folk Festival

St Clement’s Church, Leigh-On-Sea, 26 June 2022

St. Clement's overlooks the Thames estuary towards the Kent coast, and we had a glorious day at Leigh-On-Sea's long standing and varied folk festival.

WanderFal Festival

Pavillion Hall, Falmouth, 9 April 2022

We had a fine time at WanderFal, singing outside each venue before our big gig on Saturday evening. The crammed and enthusiastic crowd at the Pavillion Theatre lifted us for an emotional and delightful gig.

Tickets via WanderFal's EventBrite page

Norwich with Music WorldWide's Connecting Cultures Project

Norwich Cathedral, 4 March 2022

We were joined by music scholars from Norwich School for this fine spring concert in glorious Norwich Cathedral. Music Worldwide organised the event as part of their Connecting Cultures project.

Big Winter Gig

St Peter's Church, Notting Hill, 27 NOvember 2021

We returned to the glorious setting of St Peter's Notting Hill for our Big Winter Gig – and did two concerts, back-to-back, for a (half-) capcacity and very appreciative audience.

Smuggler's Festival 2021

Deal, September 2021

We love Smuggler's, and were delighted to return to the woods for a glorious late-summer weekend.

Nest Collective

Culpepper Gardens, June 2021

Some of us have been trying to re-find this gorgeous Islington garden for years...

King's Place Festival 2021

London, May 2021

We returned to the stage, just a day or two after the end of lockdown, with a full concert. Immediately followed by another, which was streamed to the world. It was the first time we'd all been together in the same room for 14 months. It was emotional.

Bristol

United Refored Church, Redland, 18 January 2020

An evening concert for the choir, and an afternoon workshop for Dessi. Organised by HeadFirst Bristol.

Together in Brent Winter Festival

Brent Civic Center, 25 January 2020

We sang at this free event to celebrate Brent's diversity, on a bill including our friends from London's oldest Balkan band Dunav and our close collaborators A Spell In Time, and performers from Brazil, Colombia, Peru, Poland and the Balkans.

Songs of Forbidden Love

St. John's Smith Square, London, 9 November 2019

Our lovely audience filled St John's Smith Square to the brim for an evening of new, re-imagined, and classic folk songs from heartbreaking Kalimanku Denku to the cross-species Dimyaninka and the Dragon. And, of course, we launched the new album!

The Missing Crytoqueen

BBC World Service Podcast, from 19 Sept 2019

We've written and recorded new music to help tell this extraordinay real-life true-crime story. Available through your usual podcast sources, and through your browser.

Smuggler's Festival

near Deal, Kent, 31 August 2019

Smuggler's gave us the main stage at sunset – what a crowd! We loved singing at Smuggler's! Watch out for next year's on their facebook page.

Polish Tour,

North-West Poland, 21-26 August 2019

Four performances, wrapped round with beaches and forests, evenings on coaches and mornings in kayaks, an abbey, a palace, a church full of antlers, a fountain full of (our) children, and the extraordinary Dresdenko Seniors Club (for the over-40s). We loved Poland and are so grateful for our hosts' hosptiality and enthusiasm!

• 22 Aug, 7pm – Cathedral, Kamień Pomorski
• 23 Aug, 6pm – Kalisz Pomorski (outdoor gig)
• 24 Aug, 6pm – Community centre, Bierzwmik
• 25 Aug, 6pm – Drezdenko

Sounds of the World, Woolwich Tramshed

Woolwich, 29 June 2019

Sounds of the World brings critically acclaimed global musicians to Woolwich, creating a platform to share live music with local audiences. We enjoyed our concert, and in a first for us, took questions from the audience!

Commemorating Narendra Kotiyan

Serbian Orthodox Church and community centre, 25 May 2019

Naren was a close friend. He sang and played with the choir from the day it began until just a couple of years ago, and died earlier this year. We sang, remembered, and discovered parts of his long and remarkable life that even he hadn't mentioned.

The Fire of Orpheus

Cadogan Hall, 26th January 2019

A charity concert to raise funds and support for the Fire of Orpheus Foundation, which organises music therapies for disadvantaged and disabled children in Bulgaria. It featured traditional and classical music performed by some of Bulgaria’s most celebrated musicians, including:

• Binka Dobreva – soloist with Le Mystère des Voix Bulgares
• Aleksander Raychev – accordion
• Peyo Peev – gadulka fiddle, soloist with Bulgarian National Radio’s Folk Orchestra
• The London Bulgarian Choir – led by Dessislava Stefanova
• Guitar Ensemble Academica – led by Stella Dinkovaat, Academy of Music, Dance and Fine Arts, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
• Evgenia Tagareva, Bilyana Dinkova – piano, The Fire of Orpheus Academy, Bulgaria

French Weekend with Le Chant du Voisin

Avignon and Marseille, France, 8-9 February 2019

We travelled to France to sing with Le Chant du Voisin, led by Cati Delolme. Dessi has worked with Le Chant du Voisin in France and Bulgaria. We had a great time partying, walking and singing with Le Chant do Voisin, performing three concerts back-to-back at Temple Saint-Martial in Avignon on the 8th, and finishing with a big gig in Temple Grignan in Marseille on the 9th.

Big Winter Concert

St. Peter's Notting Hill, 3 Novemmber 2018

Unamplifire Festival

St Mark’s Church, Dalston 24 November 2018

Unamplifire don't put anything but air between the musicians and the audience. So no amplifiers, no speaker stacks, no sound checks, no earplugs, and a direct and very human connection to the performers. We're at our best when singing directly into your ears, and we were delighted to be invited back to this wonderful festival.

Friends of Bulgaria Party

Bulgarian Embassy, 6 November 2018

We were pleased to sing at FoB's annual fundraiser for worthy causes in Bulgaria.

Pericles

National Theatre, South Bank, London 26-28 August 2018

It was a privilege to be part of this huge production of Pericles at the National. Dessi sang a solo from Pilentse, Postro Slaveiche as Pericles gave up his newborn daughter Marina, and we segued into Pilentse Pee to mark the death of Thaisa, Pericles' wife and Marina's mother.

The ensemble production got wonderful reviews from many sources, and we were delighted that our part caught the ears of many reviwers, who described us as "heartrending" (Radio Times), "haunting" (Guardian) "superb" (The Stage), "electrifying" (Exeunt) and more.

We loved working with such a wide variety of talents from all over London, and are grateful to director Emily Lim and composer James Fortune for their help and trust.

Campfire Club

Bethnal Green, 20 July 2018

Bulgarian choirs are best unamplified, and it's always a pleasure to sing outdoors on a summer evening. Details from the Nest Collective.

Walthamstow Folk Festival

Mirth, Marvel and Maud, Walthamstow, 26 May 2018

The second-ever Walthamstow Folk Festival was hosted by our friend Tim Chipping. Line-up included Ye Vagabonds, Bonnie Dobson, Anna Roberts-Gevalt, Lisa Knapp, Cormac Begley, WHɎTE, Nick Hart and Jali Bakary Konteh.

Children's Ensemble Zagorche

Regent High School Theatre, 23 May 2018

Zagorche returned to London for the first visit since 2011, and we were delighted to support them in their only public gig in the capital.

Narberth A Cappella Voice Festival

Queen's Hall, Narberth, 5 May 2018

We travelled back to west Wales as the headliners for the 10th anniversary of this glorious festival from Span Arts.

The Turbans Album Launch

Islington Assembly Hall, 21 April 2018

We were delighted to join our friends The Turbans on stage for their album launch. You can hear us singing Sinko Moy on their album (spotify, iTunes)- and here'a video from the concert!

Celebrating Bulgarian Language, Thursday 15th March

Europe House, Smith Square, London

We performed a short set at this event to celebrate (and teach!) the Bulgarian language.

Recording, Weekend 24-25 March

We recorded 10 songs for our new album...

Celebrating Bulgarian Culture, Tuesday 9th January

St John Smith Square, London

An evening to highlight Bulgarian musical culture, and to celebrate Bulgaria's turn as President of the Council of the EU. We'll sing with the Wladigeroff twins (piano/trumpet), with a reception over the road in the European Commission.

Concert starts 7:15. Free entry – please send an email to [email protected] to let them know numbers.

Celebrating Bulgarian Culture, Tuesday 9th January

St John Smith Square, London

An evening to highlight Bulgarian musical culture, and to celebrate Bulgaria's turn as President of the Council of the EU. We'll sing with the Wladigeroff twins (piano/trumpet), with a reception over the road in the European Commission.

Concert starts 7:15. Free entry – please send an email to [email protected] to let them know numbers.

Victoria and Albert Museum "Sounds Like Christmas"

South Kensington, 17 December 2017

We enjoyed a lovely pre-Christmas gig, standing high above the foyer for an hour long free concert.

Friends of Bulgaria Christmas Party

Bulgarian Embassy, Queen's Gate, London, 6 December 2017

We're always delighted to give our time to the good causes suported by the Embassy Ball. The years' event proceeds support the physical and psychological welfare of Children in Care in Bulgaria, the 2017 Christmas Appeal: ZOV Vratsa Project.

Our Big Winter Gig

Holy Trinity, Sloane Square, 25 November 2017

Our first concert at Holy Trinity Sloane Square sold out. We filled the space with Bulgarian Christmas blessings and songs old and new.

Turn The Tide festival, Dymchurch

Kent, 22 October 2017

We had a wonderful autumn day on the south coast at Dymchurch's excellent, all-free Turn The Tide festival. Our gig in St. Peter and St. Paul’s Church was full of local people hearing Bulgarian folk music for the first time; they loved it!

Good Life Festival

Hawarden, Flintshire, 16 September 2017

We were delighted to return to one of our favourite festivals. The Good Life Experience has a funfair, axe throwing, fine beer, excellent talks, illuminating workshops and, of course, great music.

Jaminaround Festival, Saturday 3 June

Cranborne Earthouse, Dorset

We were excited to be singing in the amazing EarthHouse in Cranbourne's Ancient Technology Centre – and carried on singing in their viking longhouse before retiring to an iron age-style roundhouse. Organisers JamInARound put together a fine lineup for the evening, including our friends A Spell In Time.

Rochester Sweeps

Rochester, Kent, 29 April 2017

Rochester Sweep's Festival is "an extravaganza of traditional Britain", mixing music, dancing and entertainment with more than 60 Morris sides and entertainers celebrating throughout the three-day festival. You'll find us on the Castle Garden Stage around 2:15 and the Gordon House Hotel at around 6pm. Here's our event facebook page.

Free festival! Map. Official timings.

Bulgarian Song, with Chubrica choir from Amsterdam

St Peter's, Notting Hill, 21 January 2017

We visited Amsterdam in 2016 to sing with the wonderful Chubica choir – and welcomed them to London in early 2017. We were delighted to be in St Peter's for the first time, and filled the glorious church to capacity.

Crisis At Christmas

Crisis hostel near King's Cross, 28 December 2016

Friends of Bulgaria Christmas Ball

Bulgarian Embassy, 7 December 2016

To raise funds for Bulgarian orphans – and always an excellent party. This year, the 25th anniversary, will have us, dancing, a "silent auction" and a star preformance from Poli Genova and trio LaDiDas.

Party from 7-11, £50 for one, £90 for two, further details and tickets here.

Unamplifire festival, 26 November

St Marks, Dalston, E8

We were delighted to sing in this festival of raw, unamplified music. What a line-up!

Details here

London Festival of Bulgarian Culture, 25 October

Barbican, London

The opening concert of the London Festival of Bulgarian Culture sees us at the Barbican on a Balkan adventure with acclaimed violinist Nigel Kennedy, the Philharmonia Orchestra conducted by Rossen Milanov, soprano Vania Vatralova-Stankov and gadoulka maestro Georgi Andreev. This fiery brew of Balkan passions is an unmissible one-off musical collaboration.

More information and bookings.

Vivaldi: The New Four Seasons with Nigel Kennedy, 17 September

Hall 1, NDK, Sofia, 17 September

The Ancient Amphitheatre, Plovdiv, 18 September

We're travelling to Sofia and Plovdiv, as a prelude to October's London Festival of Bulgarian Culture, Nigel Kennedy will perform a new and innovtive reading of the Four Seasons with "Sofia Simfoniks" conducted by Lyubka Biagioli. The first half of the program features jazz, classical and folk music – and we'll perform a 20-minute set.

Find more details and buy Sofia tickets or Plovdiv tickets.

Freedom Festival, Hull

Sunday 4 September

Freedom Festival celebrates, through artistic and cultural expression, Hull’s independent spirit and historic contribution to the cause of freedom. We're looking forward to travelling to Hul to experience this excellent festival, and will perform our songs of love and freedom just after midday on the main stage.

Details here. Free performance!

Zürich, 26, 27, 28 August

Switzerland

We're visting the Swiss Bulgarian Choir! Gigs around Zürich as follows...

7pm Friday 26 in Zürich Summergarte, Kasernenareal/Zeughaushof, Kanonengasse. Get the poster.

7pm Saturday 27 at Stauffacherkirche/St. Jakob Kirche, Stauffacherstrasse 8, 8004 Zürich. Get the poster.

Sunday 28 at VolksTanz International in Baden's dance party at Kloster Wettingen, Dancing from 3, singing 5:30 (short set) and 6:30, party tickets CHF30. Get the poster.

Midsummer gig with Slavonic Tractor

St Mary's Church, Rotherhithe, Saturday 18 June

A heartfelt and full-throated celebration of Midsummer with the wonderful Finnish vocal ensemble Slavonic Tractor. Concert organised and promoted by tunedin.london

Knockengorroch World Ceilidh

Dumfries & Galloway, Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 May 2016

Knockengorroch is a fabulous small fesitval in the Galloway Hills. We camped under the mountains, beside the glittering Water of Deugh, and vibrated to the bass until after dawn. We performed on the main stage on Saturday, unamplified and in the open air on Sunday, then returned to the main stage for an impromptu collaboration with the Turbans. Amazing photos and videos to follow.

Bulgarian Cultural Institute Gala

Cadogan Hall, London, Friay 20 May 2016

We were delighted to open this sold-out gala, and to end the concert performing alongside Le Mystere des Voix Bulgares, Theodosii Spasov, four grand pianos, an orchestra and jazz rhythm section. Organised by the Bulgarian Cultural Institute.

Joint concerts with Ensemble Chubrica

Amsterdam, Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 March 2016

A two-concert weekend in the Netherlands for us, hosted by the wonderful Ensemble Chubrica.

Welcome Spring!

St Luke's Chelsea, 27 February 2016

We didn't do a big Christmas gig on 2015, but returned wth two full gigs in one day. We banished winter with storming songs from The London Bulgarian Choir, rituals and shining tales from A Spell In Time and earth-stirring dances (and Kukeri) from Ensemble Bulgaria. St Lukes was packed for our family-friendly afternoon concert, and for our big evening gig!

Styx Christmas market

Tottenham Hale, 12 December 2015

Bulgarian City Club: Charity Christmas Ball

Bulgarian Embassy, 8 December 2015

Equator Festival: Women of the World

King's Place, 17 October 2015

A full-length concert in King's Place's Women of the World festival.

Campfire Club

Secret Campfire Club Location - Bow, 11 September 2015

The Nest Collective has a series of autumn concerts in a garden, around a camp fire at dusk...

Bulgarian Tour

Bulgaria, 3-11 August 2015

Summer 2015 saw us on tour in Bulgaria, with gigs in Primorsko (4th) Sozopol (5th), Stara Zagora (6th), Koprivshtitsa (8th) and Oreshak (10th). We were joined by theSwiss Bulgarian Choir for concerts in Stara Zagora, Koprivshtitsa and Oreshak.

Concerts

Amphitheatre Primorsko, Primorsko

4th August, 7pm.

Apolonia Amphitheatre, Sozopol

5th August, 9pm.

State Opera House, Stara Zagora

6th August, 7pm

Koprivshtitsa Festival

8th August, evening, Town Stage (time and location to be confirmed)

НИХЗИ Oreshak, Troyan

10th August, 7pm

Global Beats with Max Reinhardt

BBC World Service, 16 May 2015

Max Reinhardt poppped in to record us for May's Gloabal Beats, which is dedicated to thie human voice and a capella around the world.

Program website here.

Fundraiser for Nepal

TestBed1 / Doodle Bar, Clapham/Battersea, 18 May 2015

We were delighted to add our voices to this glorious fundraiser to support the people of Nepal as they try to rebuild after the earthquakes. We shared the bill with the excelent Kitty, Daisy and Lewis and L.A. Salami.

Concert for Hope and Homes for Children, Saturday 9 May

St.Barnabas Church, Jericho, Oxford

This charity concert raised money for Hope and Homes for Children. Lovely local choir Voices Unlimited sang the first half, and made us very welcome.

WaterAid presents Catrin Finch, Paprika and the London Bulgarian Choir

Nell's Jazz and Blues, West Ken, 24 March 2015

This concert for WaterAid, gave the audience a varied evening with extraordinary harpist Catrin Finch, and our riotous friends Paprika.

BBC recording, 7 February 2015

A boat on the Thames, London

We're always up for a boat trip. This time, everyone got up early and wore thermal versions of our poshest traditional costume to record something in the background of a BBC news article on immigration. We sang Sednalo E Jore Dos, a lot, with varous London landmarks in shot behind us. Watch out for Dominic Casciani's report in March. For now, though, here's his video of us, and Cate's pictures from the boat.

Kellaway Series concert, 6 February 2015

St Catherine's College Chapel, Cambridge

A trip to Cambridge for an early-evening Kellaway Series concert in St Cats' beautiful chapel. Details here.

Big Christmas Gig / London Festival of Bulgarian Culture, 7 December 2014

Royal College of Music, Prince Consort Road, Kensington, London

We packed out the RCM's glorious Amaryllis Fleming concert hall for our Big Christmas Gig. In this concert for the LFBC, we matched the glorious sound of the massed choir with more inimtate songs performed by smaller groups, bought out the band and danced!

Magma group event, 15 October 2014

Griffin Gallery, Holland Park, London

The Griffin Gallery's bright acoustic suited us well. Art by the Magma group

Daylight Music

Union Chapel, Islington, 27 September 2014

It's always a joy to sing in the Union Chapel! We're delighted that Daylight Music asked us back to their excellent Saturday afternoon series, and we loved hearing the fabulous folk from Kate in the Kettle and the deep soul from Jamie Joseph.

Good Life Festival

Hawarden Estate, Flintshire, 20 September 2014

We had a fantastic time singing at Cerys Matthews & Co.'s late summer / early autumn Good Life Festival – and that wasn't the half of it. We loved the roaring fires, the Helter Skelter, axe throwing, and of course all the of music, poetry and dancing (especially to Paprika's closing set). A wonderful celebration of culture, food and the grerat outdoors: read more here.

More London Music Festival

The Scoop at More London, 23 July 2014

We had a great crowd for both performances at our return gig in London's big public open-air amphiteatre.

Brunel Tunnel Shaft

Brunel Tunnel Muesum, Rotherhithe, 16 July 2014

The shaft is an astonishing venue, intimate yet monumental, a decayed masterpeice of victorian engineering. It is a great circular, brick-lined pit that was once the entrance to London's first tunnel under the river. We loved singing there with Widerthorn in 2013, and were delighted to return for a sold-out gig with our friends A Spell In Time for a one-off performance of songs and stories inspired by the space. This was the last concert for the Shaft in its current form.

Star Song

St John's Smith Square, 9 July 2014

The Albuquerque Festival Singers and The Mixolydian London Ensemble performed Star Song, a new interpretation of cosmic music composed and conducted by Bradley Ellingboe. We were the warm-up, and enjoyed the singers' and ensemble's performance.

Tickets £15/£12 from the venue. Book here.

Midsummer in Somerset

All Saint's Church, Martock, 21 June 2014

The choir has plently of connections with Ash and Martock, and the local community has hosted Zagorche on two recent tours. We loved singing in Martock's wonderful church on Midsummer's Eve, and had a glorious weekend.

Big Summer Gig, with the Swiss Bulgarian Choir

St Luke's, South Kensington, 7 June 2014

The Zurich-based Swiss Bulgarian Choir formed a few years ago after one of Dessi's Alpine workshops (with VTI - details of the 2014 workshop here). We were delighted to host their first visit to London, and loved singing with them and their band Sedjanka. The audience got to hear new songs from us and them, and together we filled St Luke's with sound!

Chorus Festival

Purcel Room, South Bank, 6 April 2014

The South Bank Centre's Chorus Festival is a huge celebration of all things choral. We had a lovely time singing in the Purcel room once more, and enjoyed hearing the other choirs across the South Bank site.

Secret Cinema presents The Grand Budapest Hotel

Undisclosed venue on St John Street, 28 Feb / 1 March 2014

We had a fine time singing all over the hotel for Secret Cinema's marvellous extravaganza. Note that we only took part on the dates above; a Georgian men's trio from our friends Maspindzeli entertained your ears on other evenings.

Christmas Concert

Salvation Army Regent's Hall, Oxford Street, 14 December 2013

Seasonal thrills for weary shoppers! As winter dusk settles over the Christmas lights of Oxford Street, join us for festive spirit, cracking new songs and our favourite stocking-fillers.

We experimented with an early start, and filled the hall for a warm and glittering concert.

With A Spell In Time

Bulgarian Cultural Institute, Bulgarian Embassy, 13 December 2013

Our friends in A Spell In Time invited us to be part of this outing of their new show THE GOLDEN KEYS: Winter Tales of Hidden Bulgaria: In a magical winter world, two golden keys are forged to unlock the secrets of heaven and earth. Wolves howl and evil spirits prowl but gold shines bright in the darkest of nights.

Friends of Bulgaria Charity Christmas Ball, 5 December 2013

Bulgarian Embassy, Kensington

This is always a great party – there's food, wine, a charity auction and this year, you'll be entertained by us, wonderful dance troupe Tanec, and Bulgarian star Dessi Dobreva. With the Embassy's great support, this charity event is a key fundraiser for Friends of Bulgaria’s work on care for disabled and abandoned children, for the provision of music and art classes for disadvantaged children in Bulgaria, and YouHelp.BG’s project (in conjunction with Karin Dom, Varna) for the rehabilitation of disadvantaged children from the Mogilino orphanage. Organised jointly by Friends of Bulgaria, YouHelp.BG and the Bulgarian City Club.

Bermondsey Festival, 3 October 2013

Vibe Gallery, Bermondsey

A full house, even in a basement on an industrial estate in Bermondsey. Smashing. Thanks to Bermondsey Arts Festival and Balabustah for organising.

Wilderthorn, 18 September 2013

Brunel Tunnel Shaft, Rotherhithe

A magical (and sold-out) gig, deep underground supporting and singing with Wilderthorn.

Salisbury Arts Centre, Saturday 3 August

Salisbury Arts Centre, Salisbury

Gig postponed until March. We're so sorry not to be singing in August.

We're looking forward to singing in Salisbury. Tickets £12/£10, concert start 8pm, in association with The Trussell Trust. More details to follow.

Tickets from http://www.salisburyartscentre.co.uk/. Details and booking here.

Big Summer Gig, Saturday 20 July

St Luke's, Sydney Street, Chelsea SW3

It's been a few years since we organised our own summer concert, so it's excellent to return to St Luke's for a warm evening gig. We're planning a lovely event of new songs, old favourites, and (celebrating all those new choir babies) lullabies from around the world. We hope you'll join us afterwards in the courtyard with wine, nibbles and more singing. Here's a poster to send to your friends.

supporting Tanec Dance Ensemble

Cecil Sharp House, London, 1 June 2013

Our friends in the London-based Bulgarian dance group Tanec took over Cecil Sharp House for a glorous summer evening. Their ambitous program included dances in styles from many regions of Bulgaria, all performed to live music and singing. We were delighted to be asked to sing for some of their dances, including the opening and closing numbers. The hall was packed to bursting, and the dancing was enthusiastic and accomplished. We had an excellent evening!

Day of the Salvonic Alphabet

Bulgarian Cultural Centre, 25 May 2013

The Bulgarian Cultural Centre organised a varied evening celebrating Bulgarian culture in London. We sang half a dozen songs as part of this fine evening.

with Sophie Ellis-Bextor

14 May 2013

Ed Harcourt and Sophie turned up with recording kit, a track, and a bunch of ideas. It all sounded great, so hopefully you can listen out for us making it up as we go along (with plenty of guidance from Dessi, Ed and Sophie) on Sophie's new album...

The Why Factor

BBC World Service, 19 April 2013

Mike Williams from The Why Factor came to a rehearsal earlier in the year to record us practicing, and to ask us why we sing. The fascinatingprogram was transmitted on the 19 April, but you can still hear it here.

Halo 4, volume 2

11 April 2013

The second collection of music from Halo 4 was released on 11 April. We're on it – and indeed we kick off the opening track "Atonement".

British Sea Power

The Thames / The 100 Club, London, 3 April 2013

A few of us joined our friends British Sea Power to help launch their brilliant new album Machineries of Joy with a boat along the thames, a pub quiz, a mystery bus ride and a sweaty gig at the 100 Club. We sang our stuff on the boat, and joined in with BSP's glorious Waving Flags at the gig. Didn't quite win the pub quiz.

2012

National Gallery Friday Late

Room 36, National Gallery, London, 14 December 2012

We were thrilled to finish off 2012 with a wonderful concert in the National Gallery's extraordinary Room 36. We're told that the event drew their bigest-ever audience, which was a bit of a surpirse on one of the year's big office party nights. Thankyou to all who came, especially if you ended up standing on the sidelines!

Friends of Bulgaria's Charity Christmas Party

Bulgarian Embassy, London, 12 December 2012

We're always happy to support this Christmas charity ball, as proceeds go to children's orphanages and projects in Bulgaria via Friends of Bulgaria and youhelp.bg. There was food, wine, an auction (including signed football shirts and more), and performances from us, the wonderful dance group Tanec and the Bulgarian star singer Dessi Dobreva. You might find photos here.

Bulgarian Embassy, London, 29th November 2012

ReachOut is an international voluntary organisation working towards radical and long-term improvement of the living conditions of children deprived of parental care in Bulgaria. We enjoyed supporting their wine and bantiza event at the Embassy with a few songs, ending in a circle dance.

A Forest of Sound

St John's Smith Square, 9th November 2012

We returned to St John's for our biggest gig for 2012, part of the London Festival of Bulgarian Culture. In this one-off collaboration with story-telling company A Spell In Time, we filled the hall with with songs of magic and darkness, love and flirtation woven around three traditional Bulgarian tales, performed in English for the first time. We were (we think) a dozen or so seats short of sold-out in this 500-person venue, but more importantly we managed to catch the spirit of the stories and the music, for one of our most magical large-scale gigs. The concert also saw the full-stage debut of the new intake of choir members, swelling us to 60 people for some songs and for the "Wedding", and was the debut for Dessi's 5-week old daughter...

A daughter

Camberwell, October

Dessi produces a daughter...

The choir gave Dessi and James' baby an album of lullabies to celebrate her arrival. Not simply a CD, but a one-off, specially recorded, 90-minute surprise album of music. So that's the choir's third album, with traditional songs from singers' childhoods in Bulgaria, Japan, Greece, Germany and France, new compositions, poems and much more.

With Dessi on maternity leave, we'll have fewer rehearsals. In the expert hands of A Spell in Time, the learning and performing choirs joined from mid October to rehearse intensely for the Nov 9 gig. After the big gig, the learning group knuckle down to the rest of the repertoire, and the performing group have a well-earned rest.

The Little Big Peace Event

Streatham, London, 19th September 2012

We performed a short but very rewarding set in the wonderful acoustic of St Leonard's Church. Catch the St. Leonard's Choir if you can – we were bowled over by the beautiful anthems that they sang in the first half of the joint concert. This free gig was part of Streatham's Little Big Peace event.

Whispering Woods

Bignor Park, West Sussex, 15-16 Spetember 2012

We loved singing at this magical outdoor event, set at dusk in the beautiful gardens of Bignor Park. About a dozen of us travelled down to Pulborough and stayed – managing to get away for the last warm and sunny weekend of the summer. The event was run by West Sussex Ahead of the Game as part of the 2012 Cultural Olympiad, and was recheduled from the rained-off event in West Dean in July.

BT London Live

Victoria Park, London, 2 August 2012

We performed a 45 minute evening set at one of London's free 2012 Games celebrations, with a rainbow in the sky and the sound of a Chris Hoy gold medal on the air. BT London Live is a series of free events presented by the Mayor of London, The Royal Parks and (in Victoria Park) the London Borough of Tower Hamlets to celebrate London 2012. Find out more information here. We were part of a programme put together by the excellent people at Spitalfields Music.

Whispering Woods (postponed due to rain)

West Dean Arboretum, Sussex, weekend of 14-15 July 2012

2011's pilot was an utterly magical evening, wandering through the woods at dusk to discover beautiful music, ethereal lanters and remarkable moments. Nobody expected quite so much rain for this outdoor Cultural Olympiad project in 2012. Unfortunately, with just a few hours to go, the organisers, venue and council jointly decided to cancel the event. Given the deep and slippery mud onsite - not to mention the incoming storm that crashed over the sheltering pub at eight - it was the right decision, although disappointing. Everybody hopes that this will be a postponment, not a permanent cancellation, and are working hard to find another worthwhile date. You may find details here, or from the Chichester Festival Theatre. Part of the Cultural Olympiad.

The Print Room's Summer Concert series

The Print Room, 34 Hereford Road, Notting Hill, London, 1 July 2012

The Print Room is a wonderful, intimate venue hidden away near Bayswater and Notting Hill. We sang to a packed and enthusiastic audience, and continued singing after the concert in the venue's lovely garden. The Print Room's Summer Concert series ran from 1-15 July. Venue location and map here.

New Voices Festival

Gardens of the Museum of Childhood, Bethnal Green, London, 30 June 2012

A free lunchtime gig at this delightful summer festival , with musicians from all over the world. We launched into our set with a sparse and slightly bemused audience, and left a packed and happy crowd shouting for more! Drop into The Museum of Childhood if you have a chance – it's lovely.

Celebrating Sanctuary

Rich Mix, Shoreditch, 23 June 2012

We had the opportunity to work with Cerys Matthews for a couple of songs in run up to this free full-length afternoon gig. We adapted Kaval Sviri and Sharena Gaida so that they could wrap into into two traditional Welsh songs, A Ei Di'r Deryn Du? and Bachgen Bach o Dincar. You can see video of the resulting songs here: Kaval Sviri + A Ei Di'r Deryn Du? (poignant) and Sharena Gaida + A Ei Di'r Deryn Du? (mayhem). We had a lovely gig!

Presented by Celebrating Sanctuary as a finale to Refugee Week 2012, part of the East in East: Euro 2012 Festival. Here's the Rich Mix event page, and Refugee Week's Round the Block page. Facebook page here.

Bulgarian Cultural Day

Kensington Gardens, London, 26 May 2012

The 24th May, Cyrillic Alphabet Day, is always a highlight in the Bulgarian calendar. On this beautiful sunny saturday, more than 2000 people came to Kensington Gardens to celebrate Bulgarian culture. The event kicked off with a dedication of a new water fountain near the Serpentine Gallery, followed by four hours of music and dance with iconic performers from Bulgaria's jazz, pop and folk worlds alongside new talents from the Bulgarian community in London. You can read more on the event website.

Nailsworth Festival

St George's Church, Nailsworth, Gloucestershire, 20 May 2012

We had a wonderful sing in St. George's - one of the very best-sounding churches we've sung in. The audience for this Nailsworth Festival gig were welcoming and lovely, and the sun filled the nave for a specially-requested Orthodox song.

TEDxHackney

Hackney Picturehouse, 14 April 2012

We were delighted to be asked to sing at April 2012's TEDxHackney on Happiness. You can see us sing - and Dessi describe why why sing - here. Here's the event page on the main TED site.

The Other Seder, 1-2 April 2012

Jackson's Lane Theatre, Highate

A few of us added our voices to YaD Arts annual alternative seder, and were delighted to share the stage with Blind Summit's extraordinary and brilliant adult puppet show.

Details from Jackson's Lane.

Halo Recordings

Celebration of the National Day of the Republic of Bulgaria

Salvation Army Regent Hall, London, 2 March 2012

The National Day is on the 3rd, but London-based Bulgarians packed the hall full for this annual celebration. The performing choir were joined on stage for the first time by Dessi's learning group, swelling the choir to over sixty voices. We also enjoyed performances by the excellent dance group Tanec, singer Annabela Vesela Ellis, pianist Gabriela Georgieva, and the students from the Bulgarian School.

This free event was organised and sponsored by the Bulgarian Embassy in London (event details).

Narberth Acapella Festival

Queen's Hall, Narberth, Wales, 25 February 2012

We started 2012's gigs with this return visit to Narberth's brilliant Acapella Festival, organised by lovely Span Arts. Narberth again welcomed us with a packed house and a very enthusiastic audience at the Queen's Hall. We were supported (and generously hosted) by Narberth's own One Voice Choir, directed by Molara. Dessi ran a workshop on the Sunday while the rest of us wandered by the sea. Smashing weekend!

2011

Koleda Songs with the English Chamber Orchestra

Cadogan Hall, Knightsbrige, 18 December 2011

We joined forces with the English Chamber Orchestra and Bulgarian conductor Yordan Kamdjalov to sing Kiril Todorov's new arrangements of traditional Bulgarian Christmas blessings and Orthodox chants. Organised by the London Festival of Bulgarian Culture to raise awareness and funds for the 2012 Festival.

The concert featured two further premieres: Pancho Vladigerov’s Second Suite for strings (UK Premiere), and Dobrinka Tabakova’s work for soprano, violin and strings, dedicated to and performed by the Stankov Ensemble (world premiere).

Goro Le Goro album launch

Royal College of Music, and the Bulgarian Embassy, Kensington, 26 November 2011

We welcomed our new album, Goro Le Goro, with a sell-out gig in the Royal College of Music and a packed party at the Embassy. Recorded with the full choir in early summer 2011, the album has classics from Philip Koutev, full-throated traditional songs, and plenty of newly-commissioned work from our favourite composer, Kiril Todorov. Kiril joined us for the concert, as did Haydn Bendall who has lent his extraordinary support throughout the project. The band joined us on stage and played for all the dances at the Embassy party. You can see Diana Jarvis's wonderful photos from the gig here on flickr. Loads of thanks to the Bulgarian Embassy in London for giving us room (and topping-up the wine) and to the Bulgarian Cultural Institute for their support.

Daylight Music

Union Chapel, Highbury, 8 October 2011

We were very pleased to return to the wonderful acoustic of the Union Chapel - our previous cameo appearance with the LGMC was delightful, but all too short. Ben and his colleagues at Arctic Circle have made Daylight Music a regular, free, Saturday-lunchtime event and drew an audience of something over 250 people for ourselves and Heidi Elva.

Cherry Potts wrote about the concert, and Diana Jarvis posted fabulous photos. Ben from Daylight Music presents the Arctic Circle Radio show on Resonance FM (Thursdays, 7pm), and will be broadcasting excepts from the concerts in a few weeks time.

Get Mouthy

Wellcome Collection, London NW1 2BE, 30 September 2011

This marvellous free event was all about 'nature's most important orifice, the mouth'. We kicked off the fascinating and inspiring evening with a flash choir in the foyer, then retreated to the Library for three short workshop concerts, focussing on how we sing the way we do. Details are at http://www.wellcomecollection.org/getmouthy. Earlier, the Wellcome Collection interviewed Dessi about how Bulgarians sing - you can see Dessi's explanations here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-o31Yg936Ac

Opening of the Bulgarian Cultural Institute

Bulgarian Embassy, London, 28 September 2011

We're delighted that the Embassy has opened its Bulgarian Cultural Institute, which will be our new home. Our rehearsal space has been transformed, and a full program of concerts, films and talks starts in early October. Attended by the Bulgarian Minister of Culture, this packed event was a party, a concert, and an introduction to the new facilites at the Embassy.

King's Place

King's Place, London, 11 September 2011

King's Place put on a hundred artists over their annual four-day festival. We were the closing act in the Foyer space on the last day, and drew a happy and appreciative crowd. Kings Place and Ikon Arts run the wonderful London Acappella Festival in February.

Embroidered Harmonies, 3 September 2011

Great Court, British Museum, London

We sang in the Great Court to celebrate the museum's collection of Balkan and Bulgarian costumes. The temporary exhibition has been extended until 18 September, so get to it while you still can!

Recordings, Spring/Summer 2011

London

It's time to re-capture what we do on CD, especially the new work from Kiril Todorov. Working with Haydn Bendall, we recorded for four days in March and June. Dessi and Haydn edited and mixed the tracks over June and July - and Kiril gave it his seal of approval in August. We look forward to bringing you our new album later this year!

Voices across the World

Royal Opera House, London, 31 July 2011

Every summer, the Royal Opera House celebrates traditional and contemporary music with their Voices across the World festival. This year's event, curated by Orlando Gough, focused on different singing traditions and the uniqueness of the human voice, and featured ten remarkable singers performing unamplified in the Paul Hamlyn Hall. Dessi was one of the soloists. Full details on the event page.

Extraordinary Voices / Barbican Weekender

Barbican Centre, London, 24 July 2011

We performed twice at the Barbican Weekender, in this event organised by Home Live Art, and enjoyed performances from Maspindzeli, The London Gay Men’s Chorus, the LSO community Choir, The Kaos signing choir, Orlando Gough's Swarm, Phil Minton's Feral Choir, Anda Union and many more.

Whispering Woods

West Dean Arboretum, West Sussex, 23 July 2011

A mysterious twilight walk in the woods accompanied by musicians and West Sussex choirs with traditional songs and commissioned pices by Kiril Todorov and Lynn Plowman. We performed short sets at the start and end of this remarkable event. Part of the 2012 Cultural Olympiad - event page here. Organised by West Sussex Ahead of the Game - event page here. Fabulous lighting by Same Sky. Choreographer Damien Delaney, Musical Director Dessi Stefanova, Artistic Director Karen Howard, Production Manager Sue Martin, Producer Paul Ackerley. Choirs from from Chichester College, Westergate, Lavant Valley, Crawley, Horsham and Shoreham, musicians including Tigran Aleksanyan and Juliet Russell.

SOUND, with the London Gay Men's Chorus

Union Chapel, Highbury, London, 24 June 2011

We hugely enjoyed our cameo appearance in the LGMC's brilliant show at the Union Chapel. We've not done a guest spot before, and it's rare that our choir gets together to see another choir do a full show. We loved the LGMC's power, versatility and supple stage presence – and we're back in the Union Chapel in September...

Leigh Folk Festival

St. Clement's Church, Leigh-on-Sea, 18 June 2011

Leigh Folk Festival is a long-standing friendly event set in gardens and pubs overlooking the Thames estuary. We weren't sure if we were a local or international act, but enjoyed singing to a packed church filled with damp but happy festival-goers. Thanks to lovely Modeste Hugues for allowing us to invade his stage (and for unexpectedly speaking better Bulgarian than many of the choir), and to @Aleatorus for these fine photos.

Spitalfields Festival

St Leonard's Shoreditch, London, 11 June 2011

We were delighted to sing a full concert in the Spitalfields Summer Festival this year, following our cameo appearance in 2010 for Max Reinhardt's piece The Calling. We found the stage at the other end from last year, but although St Leonard's was full to bursting, it still had the rich acoustic that we remembered so fondly.

Dulwich Festival

St John’s Church, Goose Green, East Dulwich, 10 May 2011

We were delighted to take part again in this wonderful festival in South-East London. We had an apprecitative and lovely local audience, many of whom were at their first LBC gig. Some of us live within easy walking distance from St. John's, and we ended up in The Gowlett for a sing and a pint (and a couple of choir birthdays) afterwards.

Celebration of the National Day of the Republic of Bulgaria

Salvation Army Regent Hall, London, 2 March 2011

With over three hundred people in the audience, it was great to see the Salvation Army hall packed for this annual celebration of freedom. After the children of the Bulgarian school performed a short except from a Bulgarian play, the audience enjoyed a virtuoso performance of classical Bulgarian music with Yana Burova (violin) and Veselina Tchakarova (piano). Their pieces included work by London-based Bulgarian composer Dobrinka Tarbakova. We closed the evening with traditional folk songs, and new pieces by Kiril Todorov.

This event was organised and sponsored by the Bulgarian Embassy in London.

London A Cappella Festival

King's Place, London, 13 January 2011

Curated by the Swingle Singers (Kiril's favourites), the London A Cappella Festival at King's Place is a week-long celebration of the unaccompanied voice. We were excited to take part, and delighted that we would get to sing in the renowned acoustic at this modern venue. After a longer-than-usual Christmas break, we were keen to get back to performing, and brought a selection of old favourites and the newly-commissioned Kiril Todorov work to the appreciative audience. One of us had booked the top room in The Fellow for her birthday party later that evening - the singing carried on until closing time.

2010

Celebrating the new European Commission building

Europa House, London, 10 December 2010

The European Commission invited us to sing at this "European Winter Warmer" alongside the delicate Monooka from Romania and the very excellent Krama Ensemble from Cyprus. Lovely gig and a fine party!

Charity Christmas Ball

Bulgarian Embassy London, London, 9 December 2010

We were pleased to lend our support to this regular Charity Christmas Ball raising money for orphanages in Bulgaria. Organised by the Friends of Bulgaria charity, the Bulgarian City Club and hosted by the Bulgarian Embassy in London. Photos at the Bulgarian City Club and Friends of Bulgaria.

Kiril Todorov premiere, part of the Festival of Bulgarian Culture

St. John's Smith Square, Westminster, London, 12 November 2010

Commission funded by BBC Performing Arts Choral Ambition 2009

We were enormously pleased to be asked to take a central role in the festival's calendar, and it seemed only right to combine it with our tenth birthday celebrations and our big end-of-year gig. The centerpiece of the concert was the commission from Kiril Todorov; with the help of a BBC Performing Arts Fund "Giving Voice" grant, we commissioned six new pieces from Kiril, and have enjoyed working with him in the UK and in Bulgaria. Kiril's music is a vital and favourite part of our repertoire; from the tender Proshtavai Mamo, the gripping Muri Yano to the comedic Chompilcheto, his work is traditional yet modern, unmistakable yet enormously varied. The new pieces have taken months of work, and range from an eight-minute epic to a dance with improvisation and instruments. Each will be a core part of our repertoire from this point onwards.
St. John's cavernous yet warm space was ideal for such an important concert - to our delight, we sold every available seat! If you were left without a ticket and we don't have your details, please get in touch for a special deal. For those who missed it, here's the beautiful program, with lots of stories from the tour and information about the commission.

fRoots Looking For A New England (2) CD launch

Cecil Sharp House, London, 6 November 2010

fRoots magazine followed up 2009's excellent Looking For A New England CD with one concentrating on UK-based artists from non-UK traditions - we were delighted to contribute our recording of Pilentce Pee from Alyana Galyana. The launch concert at Cecil Sharp House was a wonderfully diverse event, featuring us, Adriano Adewale (Brazil), Khyam Allami (Iraq), Andrew Cronshaw & Tigran Aleksanyan (UK/ Armenia), Mor Karbasi (Israel) and the Krar Collective (Ethiopia). Details here.

Le Mystère des Voix Bulgares at the Festival of Bulgarian Culture

Queen Elizabeth Hall, London, 2 November 2010

London's own Festival of Bulgarian Culture kicked off with Le Mystère des Voix Bulgares, performing an awesome (and sold-out) concert at the QEH. Although all of us were there, the highlight of our day (and a remarkable moment for us as a choir) came earlier in the day, when we were privileged to meet the choir at the Embassy for lunch and singing. The Mystère choir, led by musical director Dora Hristova, sang us a fascinating selection of regional songs ending with an impromptu joint-choir version of Petar Lyondev's Ergen Deda. It was magical to experience the choir in close-up, and astonishing to hear voices live that some of us first heard on vinyl 25 years ago.

Thames Festival

The Scoop, South Bank, London, 11 September 2010

As part of London's fabulous end-of-summer Thames Festival, we performed a 45-minute set at The Scoop - the recessed amphitheatre next to City Hall. A lovely appreciative crowd filled the space for the last of the summer sunshine.

Bulgarian Tour

Bulgaria, 4-14 August 2010

We had an extraordinary and wonderful time on tour in Bulgaria. We topped and tailed the tour with festivals; as the late-night closing act for the international stage at the Koprivshtitsa folk festival, and opening the last night of the Bansko Jazz Festival. In between, we travelled and listened and walked and sang, got onto the telly, into the papers and performed in the open air (and the pouring rain) in the centre of Plovdiv. Our highlight concert was a packed, sweltering gig in Dessi's home town Stara Zagora, premiering five new pieces by Kiril Todorov. Concert details below.

През август Лондонският Български Хор ще се отправи към България за втори път през десетгодишната си история. През 2005 г. 40 певци и приятели на хора пътуваха до София, Триград и Гела в Родопите, Стара Загора, Пловив и Русе – много публика, емоции и срещи с български състави като Бистишките баби, Ансамбъл «Тракия» и Ансамбъл «Загорче».

Тази година, хорът ще пътува в още по-голям състав. Началото на турнето е в Копривщица, където на 7ми август хорът ще пее на сцената за чуждестранни състави на фолклорното надпяване. На 8ми август в 8 часа предстои концерт на централния площад в Пловдив, а на 10ти, също в 8 часа, пълен концерт в театъра в град Стара Загора. От 11ти до 13ти август хорът ще гостува на Джаз фестивала в Банско, където ще изнесе пограма на 12ти август в 7.

Голяма част от репертоара, който хорът изпълнява па това турне е написан от композитора Кирил Тодоров (добил популярност с вокалните ансамбли “Траяна“ и “Фолк Скат“). Песните са написани по поръчка и с финансовата подкрепа на Би Би Си. Много от творбите на Кирил Тодоров са с джазов привкус, който се нрави на певците в хора и на британската публика. По време на турнето, хорът ще репетира с Кирил Тодоров и за първи път ще изпълни тези песни, преди да ги занесе в Англия, където британците отдавна очакват новия албум на своя любим български ансамбъл.

Концерти

Копривщица

7ми август, вечер. Точният час и сцена не са потвърдени

Пловдив

8ми август, 8 часа
Централен площад

Стара Загора

10ти август, 7 часа
Театър «Гео Милев»
Вход – свободен

Банско Джазфест

12ти август, 7 часа
1ва сцена

Concerts

Koprivshtitsa

7th August, evening, precise time and locaiton to be confirmed.
Pages on Festival site, Facebook. Last.fm.

Plovdiv

8th August, 8pm, Central Square
Pages on Facebook. Last.fm.

Stara Zagora

10th August, Geo Milev Theatre, 7pm (to be confirmed), Admission free.
Pages on Facebook. Last.fm.

Bansko Jazz Festival

12th August, 7pm, main stage
Pages on Festival site, Facebook, Last.fm.

The Calling, Spitalfields festival

Shoreditch Church, 13 June 2010

We sang Proshtavai, Mamo at the conclusion of Max Reinhardt's wonderful event in Shoreditch Church, and felt privileged to be involved with the other fine artists performing. Details here.

Welcoming the Pax Christi icon to St Ethelburga's

St Ethelburga's Centre for Peace and Reconciliation, 11 June 2010

It was wonderful to be invited back to St Ethelburga's intimate and atmospheric space. The centre had organised a week of events around the Pax Christi peace icon, painted at the Monastery of St John in the Desert, and had just finished a 24-hour vigil with the Clerk's sound installation "The Hours". We brought the week - and the vigil - to a close with a contemplative set including ancient songs from the Eastern Orthodox tradition.

Ashmolean Museum and St John's College Auditorium

Oxford, 5 June 2010

A full day in Oxford saw two short sets in the Ashmolean to celebrate their new exhibition, The Lost World of Old Europe - The Danube Valley 5000-3500 BC. The exhibition includes ancient artefacts from Bulgaria, as well as a score of other European countries. In the evening, we had a full-length concert at St John's, organised once again by Katherine LaFrance. Trying hard not to disturb the exam-bound, we kept most of the singing and dancing indoors this time...

Rehearsing with Kiril Todorov

Bulgarian Embassy, London, 15-16 May 2010

A BBC Choral Ambition Fund grant has allowed us to commission new music from Kiril, and the choir got together for a full weekend of rehearsing while he is in the country. The Bulgarian Embassy generously allowed us to use their spaces.

Bulgarian City Club's Charity Ethno Ball

HMS President, London, 13 May 2010

A select group sang at this charity ball. Organised by The Bulgarian City Club and the Ukrainian-British City Club. Details here.

Europe Day service at Westminster Abbey

Westminster Abbey, London, 9 May 2010

We felt very privileged to be invited to sing at Westminster Abbey's Service for Europe Day. We sang two songs chosen both for the Abbey's wonderful acoustic, and for the theme of the service; the ancient Orthodox prayer Tebe Poem, and Kaval Sviri - a folk song about the attractions of people from far away. Late leavers may have heard us sing Mnogaya Leta from our dressing tomb... it's a blessing, and was sung for Europe (and other birthdays). You can read an article about the event here.

With Orlando Gough for the Ondaatje Wing 10th Anniversary

National Portrait Gallery, London, 7 May 2010

Orlando Gough reworked 'Shouting Gallery', which was one of the NPG's opening events for the NPG's tenth birthday. The evening was filled with marvellous surprises and unexpected moments, and featured new music for The Shout and the massed voices of the other choirs. You could hear songs in every gallery from some of London's best and most engaging choirs, including Maspindzeli, the London Gay Men's Chorus, Velvet Fist and Raise the Roof. Details here.

SOAS Concert Series

Brunei Gallery Theatre, SOAS, Bloomsbury, London, 23 March 2010

SOAS generously sponsored this concert as part of their ongoing world music concert series. SOAS page here.

Celebration of Bulgaria's Liberation

Salvation Army Regent's Hall, London, 3 March 2010

The third of March marks Bulgaria's Liberation from the Ottoman Empire. To celebrate, the Bulgarian Embassy in London arranged and sponsored an event featuring us, a performance by pupils from the Bulgarian School in London, and the marvellous London-based Bulgarian dance troupe Tanec.

2009

Joan Armatrading's Favourite Choirs

BBC Radio 4, 20 December 2009

We were flattered by the wonderful response to this repeat of Joan Armatrading's lovely programme from 2008. Lots of new people got in touch and bought copies of Alyana Galyana.

with Doves

Manchester Central, 18 December 2009

We loved working with Doves for the BBC Electric Proms in October, and were very excited to be travelling to Manchester to sing at their biggest-ever homecoming gig. With snow settling over the country, more than 6000 people filled Manchester Central (the cavernous trainshed that is the old GMEX) for performances that included support from the excellent Delphic and Super Furry Animals. We did our thing on Firesuite, Kingdom of Rust, 10:03, The Cedar Room, The Last Broadcast and There Goes the Fear - and sang Pilentce Pée and Mitro Le Mitro at half time. The man from Health and Safety with the decibel meter said we just had the edge over Doves in loudness stakes. An amazing end to our singing year.

Here's how it looked to us:

Many thanks to the BBC Electric Proms for setting up the relationship, and to Avshalom Caspi for his wonderful arrangements.

Giving Voice Award

15 December 2009

Aside from huge direct help from choir members, and from the Bulgarian Embassy, we've always been self-funded. However, we recently applied to the BBC's Choral Ambition fund, and are very pleased to announce that our project has won full funding. You can see a full list of choirs here.

The award will allow us to commission six new pieces from the wonderful Bulgarian composer Kiril Todorov. Some will be for us, some for teaching at workshops and performing with audiences. It will be a privilege working with Kiril in the UK and on our tour to Bulgaria in 2010. Everybody is very excited - Kiril's songs are already audience favourites; from the tender Proshtavai Mamo, the gripping Muri Yano to the comedic Chompilcheto, his music is challenging, novel, entertaining and above all wonderful to sing. We hope the new songs will be sung and enjoyed for years to come.

The Bulgarian School's Christmas Event

Bulgarian Embassy, London, 11 December 2009

Back at the Embassy - this time with Dessi - for a lovely evening with the children of the Bulgarian School in London. Excellent breads!

Bulgarian City Club's Charity Christmas Ball

Bulgarian Embassy, London, 10 December 2009

With our leader away at a long-standing booking with the Dessibelles in Manchester, the choir sang Dessi-less at the Bulgarian City Club's annual Charity Ball in aid of orphanages and children's care homes in Bulgaria.

Christmas Concert

Salvation Army Regent's Hall, Oxford Street, 9 December 2009

After a year of festivals around the UK and rocking at the Roundhouse, we returned to Oxford Street's best choral venue for a lights-down, packed-out, all-acoustic seasonal blast of Bulgarian harmonies and festive discordance. Our special guests, Bulgarian story-telling company A Spell In Time, performed a winter dragon tale full of magic and surprise.

Parts of last year's Christmas concert are on youTube: Pilentce Pée, Ei Muri Ruzhke and Muri Yano

Late at the Tate

Tate Britain, 4 December 2009

A wonderful evening of Extraordinary Voices at Tate Britain to celebrate the tenth anniversary of Home Live Art! We loved singing in the reverberant spaces of the Clore galleries, popped into the Turner prize, and enjoyed performances by (amongst others) Mikhail Karikis, The Shout, the Feral Choir, Afrogroov, the Funk Chorus and of course lovely Maspindzeli.

Electric Proms with Doves

Roundhouse, London, 22 October 2009

Earlier in 2009, the BBC asked us if we would be interested in a collaboration with Doves. We leapt at the opportunity - and composer Avshalom Caspi was brought on board to see if it was possible to bring our two very different styles together. We rehearsed with Avshalom through July and September as he wrote a series of choral arrangements incorporating elements from the repertoire of both groups, working towards a final set of six Doves' songs.

In the days running up to the gig, we went into the Angel Studios to work with Doves directly, and added impromptu arrangements to another three songs. On our last day, Baluji and Linda Shrivastav came in and we put together a combination using Baluji's wonderful improvisations on the Diruba around our haunting Zalibih Si, melting into Doves' Birds Flew Backward. Then we took Doves to the pub, sang loads more songs, and had a day's break.

The concert was broadcast live on October 22nd on BBC 2, BBC HD and 6 Music. You can use the iPlayer to replay these for a week or so - and you can find links and all sorts of background on the BBC's Doves/LBC at the Electric Proms page.

There's a vast amount of work and commitment required for a performance of new music on this scale. So many people were involved in so many ways that it's hard to thank everybody, but we were given great support by Doves' tour crew, the sound crew from Britannia Row, the staff at the Roundhouse and Angel, Chris White's calm assurance, a great variety of fine BBC people but especially Stephanie McWhinnie and Lorna Clarke, and - of course - Avshalom and Doves.

Dessibelles at the Horniman

Horniman Museum, Forest Hill, London, 27th September 2009

Dessi's trio perfomed in the conservatory at the wonderful Horniman Museum. They were accompanied by guest musicians Angel Karaivanov on kaval (flute), Galin Nikolov on gaida (bagpipe), and Narendra Kotiyan on tupan and darabouka (bass drum and hand drum). The Dessibelles are Dessi Stefanova, Wendy March and Lucy Gibson.

with Zagorche Children's Ensemble

Regent Hall (Salvation Army), London, 5th September 2009

As a child, Dessi toured all over Europe with Zagorche (named for her home town of Stara Zagora). The choir met Zagorche when we toured Bulgaria, and fell in love with their energy and enthusiasm, so we were very pleased to welcome them to London. Indeed, as Dessi organised this UK tour for the ensemble, choir members gave solid support throughout the first half of September, in ways too numerous to list. We had a wonderful concert in one of our favourite London venues, and were - let's face it - entirely upstaged! Kiril Todorov, who wrote some of our favourite songs (Chompilcheto, Proshtavai and Muri Yano) composes for Zagorche and was travelling with them; it was wonderful to sing for him, and we now have two more Todorov songs to sing. Zagorche's tour details here

Our hearts go out to the families of the victims of the sinking on Lake Ohrid, which happened earlier the same day.

with British Sea Power

Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, London, 16 August 2009

We were very excited to be working with BSP, especially in the wonderful open-air theatre in Regent's Park. We performed a support slot, and joined BSP on stage for Waving Flags, All in it, No Lucifer, Men Together Today and other songs. BSP are a truly extraordinay live band, and their shows (and supporters) are second to none - it was a privilege and a pleasure to be part of their gig. More details to follow.

Sidmouth Folk Festival

Sidmouth, Devon, 1-2 August 2009

With two concerts (an evening one in the Methodist Church, and an afternoon slot in the Ham Marquee), Dessi's overflowing workshop, not to mention the wonderful Tanec dance group seemingly everywhere, there were plenty of Bulgarians around over the weekend. We all had a fine time watching the bands, the street acts, and of course the morris men on the prom. We wished we could have stayed longer. Many thanks to Sidmouth Folk Festival for their welcome.

Larmer Tree Festival

Larmer Tree Gardens, Dorset, 18-19 July 2009

Thirty singers (and a similar number of guests) turned a good chunk of the Larmer Tree campsite into LondonBulgarianChoirTown. First thing on Saturday morning, we had a packed tent for the Arc stage, and later that afternoon hundreds of people ducked out of the rain and into Dessi's workshop in the Big Top. On Sunday, we opened the main stage at noon, the wind blew away the clouds, and we found we had another wonderfully appreciative audience. A fine festival! Many thanks to the organisers, crew and engineers.

Fundraiser for ZOV UK

Bulgarian Embassy, Queen's Gate, London 19 June 2009

ZOV are a small and admirable charity who support children's homes in Bulgaria with fundraising in the UK and direct involvement in Bulgaria. We were very pleased to be able to support them for this, their 5th birthday event.

St Ethelburga's World Music Series 2009

St Ethelburga's Centre for Reconciliation and Peace, London 29 May 2009

Helpful and friendly staff at St Ethelburga's Centre for Reconciliation and Peace managed to find space for a capacity audience. To suit the venue, we had a set of more contemplative songs, including a re-arranged Pusta Mladost (with didgeridoo drone) and our first performance of Mitro Le Mitro.

Kendrew Bequest Concert

St John's, Oxford, 23 May 2009

Our first trip to Oxford took us to the lovely auditorium in St John's, but not before we'd taken our rehearsal out into town. Bemused tourists heard us singing in Trinity Chapel, outside Hertford College and the Radcliffe Camera, and even in the Turf. Many thanks to Katherine LeFrance for organising a wonderful event with an enthusiastic, capacity audience. Concert generously sponsored by the Kendrew Bequest.

Dulwich Festival

All Saints' Church, West Dulwich, London 14 May 2009

Dulwich Festival invited us to the magnificent All Saints' Church - across the river for some of us, but (finally) close to home for others. We were warmly welcomed by a full house, and sang Kalimanku Denku and Chereshchitsa in public for the first time.

Various Voices Festival

Purcell Room, QEH, London 3 May 2009

We were delighted to be one of this fabulous festival's guest choirs. Revelling in the Purcell Room's beautiful acoustic, we managed to fit 26 singers on stage. A wonderful, warm audience greeted us, and gave us a standing ovation. Congratulations and thanks to the glamourous Die Fetten Koketten Soubretten and the marvellous Dames 3 who shared the bill.

St Mary‘s Church, Ashford

Ashford, Kent, 25 April 2009

We had a wonderful spring evening, singing in Ashford's central church to a lovely audience. Many thanks to Shivanova, who organised the event as part of their Equator series.

Prema Arts Centre, Uley

Gloucestershire, 18 April 2009

Hidden in Uley is the Prema Arts Centre; a fine venue, with a great acoustic and a lovely audience. A full house turned out for this Orthodox Easter gig. We celebrated with painted eggs, and carried on singing in pubs and on hilltops for the rest of the weekend. Many thanks to the organisers and our hosts.

Folkestone's Month of Music

Quarterhouse, Folkestone, Kent, 5 April 2009

A Sunday morning concert for us on the south coast, with an audience of enthusiastic children and their parents. In for the afternoon, a sea fog rolled in to transform Felixtowe beach. Many thanks to the venue (Quarterhouse) and the organisers (Music For Change).

Rehearsal with musicians

Winchester Project, London, 28 March 2009

We're working with a great artist in a wonderful and exciting new project - we hope you'll hear more later...

Narberth Acapella Festival

Queen's Hall, Narberth, Pembrokeshire, 28 February 2009

Our first gig in 2009 took us as far west as we've been, to a packed audience and a wonderful welcome. Dessi ran a capacity workshop on the Sunday morning, and the rest of us took up temporary residence in the bandstand above sunny Tenby beach. Many thanks to Span Arts and our lovely hosts for our all-too-brief stay.

2008

Balkanthreads Christmas Party

Div Petel restaurant, Willesden, London, 21 December 2008

Our final gig of the year took us, for the first time, to the Crazy Cock, Willesden's finest Bulgarian restaurant. Proceeds from this charity event went to the very worthy BalkanThreads, who organised a fine evening of singing, dancing, eating - and awareness raising.

Rook Lane Arts

Rook Lane Chapel, Frome, 14 December 2008

We arrived to cake and tea at Frome's tranquil Rook Lane Arts Centre. The wonderful acoustic and intimate setting made for a memorable concert for the capacity adience, and for the choir. Many thanks to Duncan (and Brenda!) for their generosity as hosts and their invaluable help.

Nadder Music Café

Tisbury, Wiltshire, 13 December 2008

We returned to Tisbury's Nadder Hall for another Christmas concert in aid of the Cherubim Music Trust. Many thanks to De-Liz Delicatessen for our wonderful supper!

Bulgarian City Club Christmas Party

Bulgarian Embassy, London, 9 December 2008

We sang in the Embassy for the BCC's annual charity Christmas party with Friends of Bulgaria, in support of Bulgarian children's and disabled charities including Zov and Zornica (via the lovely BalkanThreads).

Christmas Concert

St Luke's Church, Sydney Street, London, 6 December 2008

Over 300 people joined us for our only full-size London gig this year. We sang new songs and old favourites in the church's wonderful acoustic, and marvelled at the wonderful Dessibelles. Part of our proceeds went to BalkanThreads who support the Zornica Disability project in Bulgaria, and who displayed a selection of Zornica's craft gifts at the gig.

Minerva Theatre, November 29th

Chichester Festival Theatre, Saturday 29 November 2008

After a sold-out workshop with Dessi, the choir give a concert in Chichester's Minerva Theatre. The concert was part of Roots Around the World.

Radio Gagarin

Notting Hill Arts Club, London, 23 November 2008

We had a wonderful time singing at Radio Gagarin's excellent Klezmer/Gypsy/Balkan/Soviet club night.

A high point for us was singing with Finn Peters and Oren Marshall, who improvised over Zalibih Si and More Sokol Pie. The evening was part of the London Jazz Festival. Many thanks to Max Reinhardt for a fantastic evening.

The Dessibelles and the Northern Harmony Choir

St Pancras Old Church, London, 31 Octeber 2008

A full house for this wonderful evening of world music.

Northern Harmony, led by the extraordinary Larry Gordon, sang traditional and spirtual songs from Africa, Georgia and North America. Dessi's sublime trio The Dessibelles (with Lucy Gibson and Wendy March) added their beautiful Bulgarian folk songs.

Musicport Festival

The Spa, Bridlington, 19 October 2008

We kicked off the last day at Musicport, Britain's largest indoor World Music festival.

Most of us sprinted up from London the morning after the BSP gig so that we could be part of the audience for the weekend. With artists like Toumani Diabaté and Bob Brozman on the bill, we had a fantastic time - and where else could we share chat and sandwiches in the green room with Ivo Papasov and Martin Carthy?

As the first group on stage on Sunday morning, we weren't sure what to expect, but were more than pleased with such a large and appreciative audience. Someone described us as vigorous, spine-tingling, and slightly raunchy, which isn't bad for a 10 a.m. gig. Dessi ran a packed-to-overflowing workshop, and we were surprised and honoured to be asked to sing a blessing at a Musicport wedding later in the day. Congratulations to David and Christine!

Supporting British Sea Power

The Roundhouse, Camden, 17 October 2008

We joined British Sea Power for this packed gig at Camden's huge Roundhouse, the last night of their UK tour.

At the start of the evening, we took the stage for a 30-minute support slot, but retreated to the balcony for BSP's stunning set. We lent a hand with All in it, Men Together Today, Waving Flags, Great Skua, Down on the Ground, No Lucifer and (possibly) Rock in A. We also sang Izgreyala Yasna Zvezda, just before Waving Flags.

Brighton Festival of World Sacred Music

St Bartholomew's Church, Brighton, 12 October 2008

Thirty of us took the stage in Brighton for our first concert after the summer break. We loved the vast spaces and remarkable acoustic of St Bartholemew's. This was the first day of an inspring international festival - find out more at http://www.worldsacredmusic.org/.

With British Sea Power at the Mercurys

Nationwide Mercury Music Awards, 9 September 2008

Do You Like Rock Music by the fabulous British Sea Power was nominated for a Mercury - we were hugely pleased to be asked to join them on stage for Waving Flags.

Broadcast on BBC2 at 10pm Tuesday and 11:35pm Friday.

Cheltenham Music Festival + supporting Taraf de Haidouks

Cheltenham, 19 July 2008

We brought our season to a close in style with three concerts in Cheltenham.

This very active day started with another sold-out public workshop from Dessi, and included two outdoor concerts - a short one in the Winston Churchill Memorial Gardens and a longer one in the Imperial Gardens. In the evening, we were indoors in Cheltenham's Town Hall, taking the support slot for the world's most exciting gipsy band, Taraf de Haidouks. The hall has a wonderful acoustic, and we loved singing for such an appreciative audience. See the festival website for more.

Singing with British Sea Power at Latitude Festival

Southwold, Suffolk, 18 July 2008

A small group of the choir sang with the excellent British Sea Power at the Latitiude festival.

Short gig review in Uncut here.

Small Nations Festival

Llandovery, 12 July 2008

This small and extraordinary festival drew artists from all over the world - and the rain held off for the whole weekend!

For an hour after sunset, twenty or so of the choir made the Oak Tree stage their home. A capacity crowd roared their approval, and impromptu dancing and singing carried on into the night. Festival website: http://www.smallnations.co.uk/.

Hebden Bridge Festival

Heptonstall Parish Church, 5 July, St. George's Square 6 July 2008

We continued our summer adventures at the excellent Hebden Bridge Arts Festival.

Apparently, Dessi's workshop and our concert sold out weeks in advance. However, with St George's Square filled to bursting for an open-air gig in the centre of town on the Sunday - and plenty of post-concert singing in the White Lion on Saturday night - we hope we managed to sing for anyone who missed getting into the church! Many thanks to the organisers, who found places for all of us to stay in this lovely town.

Singing with British Sea Power at Glastonbury Festival

Glastonbury, 28-29 June 2008

British Sea Power asked us to sing with them at Glastonbury - we were delighted to take part!

British Sea Power played on the John Peel Stage (broadcast by the BBC), the Guardian Lounge and the Left Field stage. We sang with them on Waving Flags and improvised contributions to Ohbedobedoo and Rock in A. BSP were kind enough to give us space to sing some Bulgarian songs - across the weekend, we squeezed in Izgreyala Yasna Zvezda, Izgryala E Mesechinka and Trendafilchitu (and plenty more backstage). A fine way to start a series of fesivals over the summer!

Exhibition Road Festival

Exhibition Road, London, 21 June 2008

Exhibition Road was closed for this annual midsummer festival, and institutions along its length hosted musicians and performances.

We found ourselves on the big outdoor stage inbetween the V&A and the Science Museum, singing to a packed crowd under the plane trees and across the road. Further details from the festival website. Thanks to the Bulgarian Embassy for their help in this event.

Celebrating Sanctuary / Coin Street Festival

South Bank, London, 15 June 2008

We were privileged to participate in this unique event celebrating the work of refugee artists in the UK.

Further details on Myspace and Fly Global Music.

World Routes

BBC Radio 3, 24 May 2008

To celebrate Bulgaria's Day of National Culture (known to all as the day of the Cyrillic alphabet), we were studio guests on Lucy Duran's excellent World Music show.

Dessi and Lucy Duran talked about the choir and Bulgarian music and we sang four of our favourite songs: Tukala Li Si, Kaval Sviri, Ergen Deda and the haunting Pilence Postro Slaveche. More details on the program page and at the World Routes website.

Joan Armatrading's Favourite Choirs

BBC Radio 4, 21 May 2008

Joan and the Just Radio production team came to one of our rehearsals, to talk to the choir members and record us on home ground. The program was one of five striped across a week of mid-afternoon Radio 4. You can find out more at Radio 4's page.

Extravagant Acts for Mature People

The Peel Centre, Islington, 11 April 2008

We had a fine time singing, and hope we brought a bit of Bulgarian brighness to an otherwise drizzly day. Concert as part of the Clod Ensemble's series of events for the over 60s at Islington's Peel Centre.

Performance with British Sea Power

Later... with Jools Holland, BBC 2, 8 February 2008

Dessi and four of the tops performed Waving Flags with British Sea Power on Jools Holland's "Later...".