Groundbreaking Quartet from Ukraine to MakeSaratoga Debut at Spa Little Theater

SARATOGA SPRINGS —Kyiv, Ukraine “ethno-chaos” ensemble DakhaBrakha will make its Saratoga debut 7:30 p.m. on March 14 at the Spa Little Theater in a show co-resented by Saratoga Performing Arts Center and Caffè Lena. 

The groundbreaking quartet is known for their hypnotic blend of folk traditions, dub, hip-hop and global influences. 

“Caffè Lena has a long history of presenting not only American folk music, but Traditional music from other cultures, said Sarah Craig, executive director of Caffè Lena.  “It’s a thrill to work with this band that has introduced so many people around the world to the roots of Ukrainian music with a contemporary twist that’s exciting and compelling,” 

DakhaBrakha, meaning “give/take” in the old Ukrainian language, was created by avant-garde theater director Vladyslav Troitskyi at the Kyiv Center of Contemporary Art “DAKH” in 2004. Accompanied by Indian, Arabic, African, and Ukrainian traditional instrumentation, the quartet’s vocal range creates a trans-national sound rooted in Ukrainian culture. 

DhakaBraka has performed at major festivals across Europe, Asia, Australia, and North America. The ensemble features Marko Halanevych (vocals, darbuka, table, accordion), Iryna Kovalenko (vocals, djembe, bass drums, accordion, percussion, bugay, zgaleyka, piano), Olena Tsybulska (vocals, bass drums, percussion, garmoshka), and Nina Garenetska (vocals, cello, bass drum). 

“It’s important to show the world Ukraine, and to show Ukrainians that we don’t need to have an inferiority complex, Halanevych said in a statement. “There are a lot of wonderful, creative people here, people who are now striving for freedom, for a more civilized way of life, and are ready to stand up for it.” 

DakhaBrakha’s appearance at Spa Little Theater is part of a unique and ongoing collaboration between SPAC and Caffè Lena first launched in 2017 and encompassing jointly curated and presented programs at both venues, highlighted by their annual “Caffè Lena @ SPAC” fall festival. To sample live clips of the ensemble in vision and sound, go to: https://www.dakhabrakha.com.ua/en/video/. 

Tickets for DakhaBrakha at Spa Little Theater cost $40-$55. Visit spac.org for details.