From Odesa to Columbia: One Night Only

Appearing one night only in Columbia, Maryland: Kommuna Lux, originators of the “Odesa gangsta folk” style of Klezmer* music. The young, high-energy musical group is visiting Columbia as a part of their US tour to raise money for war-torn Ukraine. 

If you’re wondering what “Odesa gangsta folk” might be, these words from their website may help:

“In Odesa, people find togetherness. In Odesa, all will laugh and sing." Ukraine’s Kommuna Lux validates these words from an old poem, performing their own style called "Odesa Gangsta Folk:" thrilling klezmer music and common gangster folk songs from their hometown, all with a dose of rocket fuel.

Kommuna Lux plays joyful songs and melodies from Odessa and all Eastern Europe in spiced up arrangements.

The following promotional video gives an energizing summation of what they do along how they have used moneys raised to support the war effort in Ukraine. (It’s about two and a half minutes long, so not a big time commitment.) The video juxtaposes music and footage from Kommuna Lux concerts in Europe with documentation of purchases made using their donated funds: clean drinking water, communications equipment, and automobiles, for example. 

Kommuna Lux 

The concert is on Monday, September 18th at 7 pm at Abiding Savior Lutheran Church, 10689 Owen Brown Road, Columbia, Maryland. Tickets (limited to eighty seats)  are 20.00 and can be purchased here:

Kommuna Lux concert 

If you are unable to attend but would like to make a donation to their cause, you may also do that through the link above.

You may recall that Abiding Savior has hosted out of town visitors in the past, presenting Stary Olsa from Belarus in 2016. Come on out and show Kommuna Lux, so far from home, a warm Columbia/HoCo welcome and soak up some musical “rocket fuel” to energize your week. Just for fun, here’s a little vignette promoting their American tour that I found on TikTok:

Kommuna Lux American Tour

*Klezmer is an instrumental music for celebrations which was once performed in the Jewish communities of Eastern Europe at weddings or joyous religious celebrations, such as Purim, Simhat Torah, or for the inauguration of a new synagogue. Like most of musical Jewish traditions, klezmer is a music of exile. - - Oxford Languages on Google

Invitations and Good Cheer

After yesterday’s warnings, here are some invitations.

This Saturday at Abiding Saviour Lutheran Church, a concert by Kommuna Lux to raise money for Ukraine. They’re back again after last year’s successful visit and you’re invited.
 

Image from Kommuna Lux publicity materials 

From the event page :

Kommuna Lux brings you the heritage music of their beloved hometown. Klezmer, Balkan, and Urban Chanson, with a dash of Ukrainian Folk and powered by rocket fuel, Kommuna Lux impacts the crowd with a nostalgic, high-energy Big Band sound from the bygone days of speakeasies and rum runners.

Returning again after last year's successful fundraiser for Ukraine, tickets will be available online for $20 and a more limited number at the door as space allows.

To get a feel for their lively musical style, check them out at their website.

Purchase tickets at this link: Communa Lux Tickets

*****

Tonight, at the Common Kitchen in Clarksville, host Kathy Barton is kicking off a Howard County Foodies Meetup group.

From the event page:

Connect with other local foodies while trying delicious international cuisines from local restaurants. Small plates and drinks will be available for purchase from all of our food hall restaurant vendors. This is a great opportunity to sample new dishes from multiple restaurants at an affordable price!

We welcome other local restaurant business owners and managers to attend this event to promote their Howard County Local Restaurant!

If you follow any of the HoCoLocal restaurant pages on Facebook you know we’ve got plenty of “foodies” of all sorts. This could be the beginning of a fun and even educational experience. 

I recently read a social media post from someone new to the area trying to figure out how to meet people and make friends. It strikes me that this is the sort of event that could foster new friendships. At any rate, it certainly sounds tasty.

*****

One more. It’s this Saturday at the East Columbia Branch of the Howard County Library. 

Hi Tech STEAM Carnival, 10 am to 2 pm

From the Howard County Library Website:

Come one, Come All! 

For families. Play games and interactives, like Pinball and Skeeball, built by HiTech students. Participate in Paint-and-Sip or Build-and-Sip, ride a miniature train, and watch the car race, robotics challenges, and win prizes.

Stop by booths from local businesses and vendors, and don't miss the petting zoo! Food and beverages are available to purchase from local food trucks. 

*****

I said I’d be back today with cheerier news and I am. It turns out my day was made as soon as I woke up by a dear friend and reader of the blog who informed me that the new Louise Penny novel had been put up on the Howard County Library website. Because of her kindness I am number eight on the waiting list. 

Some folks get excited to score concert tickets or a reservation at a fancy restaurant. I’m entirely jazzed up by a new book at the library. 

Have a wonderful day. Oh, just for fun - - what kind of thing makes your day? 

Village Green/Town² Comments

A Nice Variety

 

Will last night’s storm make today’s temps cooler? Not a whole lot, plus, there’s more rain in the forecast. Does this mean you should hide at home under your bed? Only if that’s what you really, really want to do today. There’s a ton of stuff going on locally if you want to be out and about. 

A sampling: 

HCLS STEAM Carnival, East Columbia Branch, 10 am - 2 pm

Follow the Raindrop Tour, Freetown Farm, 10:30 am Sign up here

Pups & Poses, Ellicott City 50+ Center, 11 am Sign up here

Where’s Waldo? Party, Queen Takes Book, 1 pm

Milkshakes and Movies, Crazy Mason Milkshake Bar, 2 pm 

Columbia Cruise Night, Jersey Mike's on Broken Land, 4 pm

Kommuna Lux Concert, Abiding Saviour Lutheran Church, 7 pm Purchase tickets here. 

Magical Mystery Girls, Columbia Lakefront, 7:30 pm

And don’t forget the markets!

Community Ecology Institute at Freetown Farm, 9 am - 1 pm

Maple Lawn, 9 am - 1 pm

Clarksville Commons, 10 am - 2 pm

And, of course, the Howard County Fair begins today at 8 am.

Any exciting plans today? A local event you’d like to boost? Let me know.

Village Green/Town² Comments