I received the below press release near the start of all the issues in Crimea and thought it was especially important now to understand the traditions and cultures in Russia.

As the person who sent me the release pointed out: "With all the disturbing news coming out of Russia these days, it's time for something positive."

Basically there is an annual Winter Festival at the Proctor's Theatre and Cafe Nola, with dancing, music and other entertainment.

There are events tonight (Thursday) and Saturday, March 8.

Admission is $6 for adults, $3 for children 5-years-old and older.

You can find more information here.

From an email:

The Russian Winter Festival 2014 is in full swing, events are happening regularly. The headliner for the Festival is the Russian folk group Art-Trio Volnitsa from Moscow.  An instrumental group,  Art-trio Volnitsa from Moscow gives a new sounding to well-known old masterpieces of Russian music. Their audience enjoys Kalinka, Barynia and other folk songs, as well as interpretations of classical pieces of Musorgsky, Tchaikovsky and Lyadov freshly performed with balalaika contrabass, balalaika prima, and bayan (Russian button accordion). The style of the group can be defined as modern Pop-Folk, both improvisational arrangements and chamber spirit makes it kind of 'Russian jazz'. 

Art-Trio Volnitsa consists of three musicians: Pavel Boykov, bass-balalaika; Denis Zhukov, prima-balalaika; and Vladimir Demchenko, Russian accordion (bayan). All three are renowned for their interpretation of Russian classical and folk music as well as more contemporary jazz, pop, and rock pieces. The group has performed in France, UK, Czech Republic, South Korea, and US. You can check their music on Youtube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CS9IpeTVZbw.


Schedule of Art-Trio Volnitsa Performances:


Cafe Nola 

March 6 @ 6:30pm, 617 Union St, Schenectady


Grand Finale Russian Winter Festival

March 8 12pm - 5pm, Proctors, 432 State St, Schenectady
  


The Grand Finale of the Six Annual Russian Winter Festival will be at 12pm March 8 in Proctors Theatre in Schenectady.  The Grand Finale events include Art-trio Volnitsa; Children Ensemble "Golden Rooster", Brooklyn NY; "Frosty" Drama Club, New Russia Cultural Center; "Princess-the-Frog ", Children's Theater, Mid-Hudson Russian Community Association; "Remembering Russia" Art Show by Tatiana Rhinevault; Winners of Tchaikovsky Piano and Nadezhda Obukhova Classical Vocal Competitions; Russian Poetry Recital and Best Braided Hairdo Contests, Red Army 3rd Rifle Division Reenacting Group, Balloons by Victor the Clown.