Please join us for choir practice this Thursday, April 11th. This is a new beginning for Karageorge, our wonderful choir, who will host this year's annual SOCA Festival in early June. NEW MEMBERSHIP is encouraged - parents and children welcome, 5th GRADERS and older! Practice THURSDAY April 11th and every Thursday at 6:30 p.m. in the north wing conference room. Let's recruit those young voices, and teach a new generation the joy of our music! S.S.S.Karageorge will also celebrate their 100th Anniversary during this same weekend!

Don't miss this lively Russian Festival in Goshen, Indiana. Your special invitation below is from Ludmila Chapman, who has been a Serb Fest vendor for many years (Ludmila's Russian Treasures). This is an opportunity to visit another Orthodox church parish and support their fundraising efforts. Call the church office 736-9191 if you need a ride.

St. Sava's Srbadija Folklore Group performed Sunday afternoon for Serb Fest guests. The senior group gave their skilled routines, but the younger 2 groups had technical difficulty with their music CD and were unable to perform their rehearsed dances. Drina Tamburitza Orchestra stepped up and played live music for the kids to dance a casual kolo. Moms, Babas, and friends joined in to lend their support to the disappointed children and it all turned out well! Srbadija welcomes new members, so please contact Borka Grimsgard or the church office for details (219) 736-9191.

This year's Serb Fest volunteers dealt with especially challenging situations: temperatures in the mid-90's and a dangerous thunderstorm that blew through late Saturday afternoon. Children were safely gathered into the basement of the church building, while others gathered at the back corners of the solid new Pavilion. Within 45 minutes of the 70 mph thundertorm, tables and chairs were re-set, cevap grills were running, and smiling Serbian faces were back in business for the evening rush. We lost some tents and signs, but thankfully no one was hurt! It all turned out well, thanks to the spirit of our great volunteers, many of whom worked for weeks cleaning, planning, baking, and preparing for the annual festival. Special Thanks also to friends from other church parishes who helped grill cevaps and roast lambs. Hvala and Ziveli!

Srbadija Folklore Groups - Pee Wee, Junior, and Senior - performed for the crowd at Serb Fest on Saturday, August 6th. Some of these children even worked the food line, kitchen, and Sunday School tent during the weekend. We applaud them for dressing and performing in full costume in 90 degree heat. Still don't know where they get their energy! Their instructor is Nenad Nikolic. Thanks to all the groups for sharing an important part of our Serbian Culture with the northwest Indiana community.

Longtime friends Jovan Djokic, Tom Andrejich, Mike Ticich, Danny Orlich, and Bob Cemovich took control of the microphones as Srpski Sinovi played for them at St. Sava's Serb Fest. The band will never be the same. Thanks to the band for being "good sports". Tom came all the way from California and Jovan and Danica from Florida, a home-coming weekend to spend with family, Kumovi, and friends.

There's still time to sign up for this year's Serb Fest Kick-Off Golf Classic, always a great time on the course and at the luncheon. You'll be treated all day with great food and refreshments, and end with a luncheon buffet of traditional Serbian food and prizes at the church grounds. Registration begins at 6:30 a.m., Shotgun Start at 7:30 a.m. at Summer Tree Golf Course. Please print the form below and email it to Vonnie Orlich at: v_orlich@comcast.net or Fax to the church office at: (219) 736-7836.

Click on the link below to print the registration form.

Golfers Flyer

The S.O.C.A. Executive Board hosted it's 46th Annual Festival several weeks ago , June 4, 5, and 6, at the New Gracanica Monastery in Grayslake, Illinois. Several choirs performed, including St. Romanos Choir, Toronto, Canada - S.S.S. Karageorge, Merrillville, IN - Stevan Stojanovic Mokranjac Choir, Old Holy Resurrection, N. Chicago, IL - Stevan Mokranjac Choir, Hamilton, Canada - S.S.S. Branko Radichevich, Chicago, IL - and S.S.S. Draza Mihailovich, Cudahy, WI. The audience was treated to a variety of choral selections, performed beautifully by all the participating choirs. Both nights were spent dancing and of course singing along with Mismo Tamburasi. Thanks to Xenia Jancarich for sharing her wonderful photos. You'll notice that the music caught the attention of an unexpected guest - a small deer, who obviously has great taste in music!

45th ANNUAL S.O.C.A. FESTIVAL

June 3, 4, & 5, 2011

New Gracanica Monastery, Grayslake, IL

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Friday

Afternoon Welcome Desk at the Comfort Suites, Grayslake, IL
6 :00 p.m. Vesper Services – New Gracanica Monastery
7:30 p.m. Liturgical Concert – New Gracanica Monastery
Stevan Stojanovic Mokranjac Choir, OHR, N. Chicago, IL
Otpuscajesci & Opelo (part of Requiem)
Stevan Mokranjac Choir, Hamilton, Ontario
Bogorodice Djevo & Tebe Pojem

8:30 p.m. Welcome Social/Dance – Camp Hall
Admission: $10.00 • 12 & under free
• Mismo Tambura Band from Merrillville, IN
• Dinner & Bar

Saturday, June 4

1:00 p.m. Festival Concert – New Gracanica
7:00 p.m. Dance – New Gracanica

THE ANNUAL SOCA BANQUET WILL BE ON SATURDAY, JUNE 4TH WITH THE DANCE FOLLOWING IMMEDIATELY AFTER.

Dance Only Admission: $15.00 • 12 & under free
Sloboda Band from Milwaukee, IL
• Mismo Tambura Band from Merrillville, IN
• Bar open all night, food & refreshments available

Sunday, June 5

10:00 a.m.
Holy Liturgy – Mass Choir – New Gracanica

• 50/50 Draw Winner Announced

At the personal invitation from Portage Mayor Olga (Galich) Velazquez, St. Sava's Serbian Historical Society proudly participated in the first ever Portage Cultural Festival on Sunday, April 10th. Several countries were represented at the event hosted by the Portage Youth Commission. Samplings of art, national costumes, music, food, and culture were beautifully presented at the many booths. "First Mom" Tamara Galich  showed off her Latvian roots and a collection of hand - decorated eggs that she decorated many years ago. Congratulations to the Portage Youth Commission for celebrating the diversity that is such an important part of Northwest Indiana and Chicagoland. The Serbian Historical Society was also invited to set up a traveling exhibit last October for Lifeline Humanitarian Organization's Gala Fundraiser at the Chicago Cultural Center. We're proud of our Mayor Olga for all she has accomplished and congratulate her on her recent re-election!

ONE LOVE SERBIAN SONG - JEDNA LJUBAV SRPSKA PESMA Chorus performed their theme song flawlessly and set the tone for an incredible concert weekend. The combined choirs of S.S.S. Branko Radichevich and Stevan Stojanovic Mokranjac planned an event that will be remembered for years to come. With 30 choirs in attendance, everything from housing to the Ad Book was done in perfect detail. A casual idea of combining all the choirs and performing together became a dream come true for the organizers. It wasn't easy, but they made it happen by working together for 2 years. Congratulations to all volunteers, organizers, and singers for their outstanding efforts. Enjoy a sampling below, and as soon as the professionally edited complete Concert CD and DVD are available for sale, we'll let you know how to purchase these items.

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Young voices filled the room and our hearts with songs. The next generation of singers has reassured us that we will not lose our musical traditions. The junior choirs stole the show during the concert and brought many in the audience to cheers and tears. Congratulations to the Mass Junior Chorus and Junior Brankies for sharing their talents.

Below is just a sampling of the Sunday concert. As soon as they are available, we will let you know how to purchase the professionally produced complete Concert CD and DVD.

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Good things do come in three's; three choirs of course. Aleksa Shantich from South Bend, SSS St. Elijah and SSS Karageorge, both from Merrillville, were directed by Milan Medich of South Bend. We all know how much fun they had at practice, especially at Nick and Melanie Sever's house. The historic ONE LOVE SERBIAN SONG Festival did much more than unite choirs for 3 days of fabulous music to warm our hearts. It brought new friendships and hopes for future generations of singers as we witnessed the children's choirs. This event was so well planned and we congratulate both parishes for their hard work and hospitality.

Below is just a sampling of the Sunday concert. As soon as they are available, we will let you know how to purchase the professionally produced complete Concert CD and DVD.

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It was OCE NAS like you've never heard it before at the start of Saturday's concert and once again Sunday as performed by St. Elijah's Church Choir from Aliquippa, Pennsylvania.  Enjoy this sampling of the ONE LOVE SERBIAN SONG combined choir festival performances. Very soon we will let you know how to purchase the professionally edited CD and DVD. To share this blog, simply click on the blog title: it is a permanent link and will turn blue. Now copy and paste the URL from your address bar and send it in an email or link on your Facebook.

RENAISSANCE SUITES HOTEL
Registration Area for Badge Pick-Up: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Badges can be picked up after this time at Holy Resurrection Church, 3062 W. Palmer Square

HOLY RESURRECTION CHURCH (3062 W. PALMER SQUARE, CHICAGO)
Vespers: 5:30 p.m.
Concert: 6:30 p.m.

Welcome Dance: 8:00 - 12:00 p.m.
Entertainment: Sumadija Orchestra indoors in the main hall & Prazna Flasa Tambura of Milwaukee in the outside tent

Lake Michigan's Ogden Dunes shore on a rainy Sunday afternoon - could this be choir practice? Nick and Melanie Sever opened their home and hearts once again to host a practice session for the combined choirs of Merrillville and South Bend, Indiana. Two different time zones and up to 90 minutes of travel can't discourage this group. St. Elijah Cathedral Choir, Aleksa Shantich Choir, and S.S.S. Karageorge will perform together for the first time at the upcoming "One Love" Choir Festival in Chicago. Two hours of intense practice were followed by a little kolo dancing, great food, and lots of hugs and kisses. Oh, yes, and John Japa's homemade goulash was incredible. New friendships are the best result of this combined effort. If you have the opportunity to participate next year, you certainly won't regret it.

Steve Baroevich, Dan Orlich, Mike Jaksich, and Nick Sever accompany the choir on their tamburas........Thanks, guys!

(Click photo to enlarge)

Full-time deda, part-time choir director, Milan Medich is obviously very loved!

Mark your calendar! You won't want to miss this exciting event. Join us Saturday, April 24 for Srbadija's Spring Spectacular Folklore Festival at St. Elijah's Hall at 8700 Taft Street in Merrillville.  The Concert starts at 6 pm, ending at midnight. Live music will be provided by "Sumadija" for dancing after the program. Food and drinks are available, so bring the entire family. Nenad Nikolic is the new Instructor  for Srbadija dancers, and you'll be quite impressed with the results! Several guest dance groups will perform. Enjoy the slide show from their recent performance at St. Archangel Michael Church in Lansing. Congratulations to Daniella Hojnacki on her final performance before she leaves to attend Indiana University. We'll truly miss her!

Photos provided by Finn and Borka Grimsgard.

Milan Medich from South Bend will direct the combined choirs for this year's "One Love" historic festival in Chicago. Choirs from St. Elijah, Karageorge, and South Bend have started practicing on Sundays after church. March 14th practice will be at St. Sava in Merrillville at 2 pm and Sunday March 21st will be in South Bend  at 2 pm Central Standard Time. Almost 50 singers came to last Sunday's practice at St. Elijah. Be sure to join soon if you want to participate.

Don't miss this historic weekend of Serbian music for the heart and soul. Both SOCA and SSF singers will perform concerts in the Chicago area to celebrate their religious and cultural roots and will join together nightly for zabavas. Mark your calendars because you won't want to miss this special weekend!

Dates: Friday, Saturday, Sunday-May 28, 29, 30, 2010

Location:  Chicago, Illinois

Shared Locations:  Palmer Square  AND Redwood Drive

Friday:  Vespers @ Palmer Square 5:30 P.M.

Concert @ Palmer Square 6:30 P.M.

Dance @ Palmer Square 8:00 P.M.

Saturday: Concert @ Redwood Drive

Cocktail Attire Dinner @ Redwood Drive 6:30-8:30 P.M.

Zabava @ Redwood Drive 9:00 P.M.-1:00 A.M.

Sunday:  Liturgy @ Palmer Square 9:30A.M. and  Redwood Drive 10:00 A.M.

Concert @ Hotel 1:30-5:00 P.M.

Zabava @ Redwood Drive 5:30 P.M.

This logo was a collaboration of ideas from the committee. The graphic designer was Boban Markovic. He did a great job!

Enjoy the slide show video from last week's Serb Fest 2009. In a few days, check back to see the slide show video from this year's exhibit presented by the Serbian Historical Society. Thanks to Milan Opacich for sharing background music from the "ZORA Tamburitza from Old Gary" CD.

At the re-dedication of the WWII Memorial Monument in early June, several Veterans were in attendance. One Veteran, George Tatalovich, thoroughly enjoyed the day. Play the video about the monument re - dedication in the videos section on the right, and you'll see an "animated" George pointing to his name listed on the monument.  The music fits his personality. He was spotted at this year's Serb Fest with his family.

Enjoy the pictures from this year's wonderful Serb Fest. Beautiful weather and non-stop music provided the perfect background for a great weekend.

This festival is staffed by volunteers, a commitment that is truly appreciated. The second and third generation is represented in many families. Without our volunteers, we couldn't have the festival, a fund-raiser that our church depends on. Thank you all once again! The photos below are only a small representation of the great number of volunteers.

Kids of all ages found good, old fashioned fun at Serb Fest. They took a break from all the electronics,TV, and video games. They actually played games outdoors and spent time making new friends.

This is your last chance to enjoy the non - stop live music, dancing, and delicious food. Serb Fest opens at noon, closes at 10 p.m. Visit the historical exhibit in the north wing, This year's theme is "Immigrants, Serbs of Steel", plus a special display honoring Gary's very own Karl Malden. The Serbian Bakery and Kafana are open as well. "Serbs of Steel" program in the tent starts at 4:30 p.m. with guest speakers Stephen McShane, Gary Wilk, and Nick Tarailo. The BIG CASH RAFFLE is always exciting, so buy your ticket for a chance to win a Grand Prize of $25,000! Church Tours start at 3 p.m.

Divine Liturgy will be celebrated at St. Elijah Cathedral, Bishop Longin and Fr. Marko officiating.  There will be no service at St. Sava. St. Elijah Cathedral celebrates their Slava today.

WATCH THE VIDEO COMMERCIAL BELOW FOR INFORMATION AND DETAILS.

Daniella Mancich and Karen Christoff have shared their photographs from this past festival in Clearwater, Florida. Makes you want to join choir, doesn't it?  Thanks, girls!

After a day at the beach or pool, choir members enjoyed a casual dinner cruise aboard the StarLite Majesty. The Gulf Coast is famous for dramatic sunsets, and Friday evening was no exception. The sunburned singers danced the night away; kolos, cacak, electric slide, and slow dancing. Amazingly, they all made it to the concert Saturday in time. These photos were provided by Jelena Mulin.........Thanks! More photos have been submitted by Daniella Mancich and Karen Christoff, and will be up in a couple days. Check back soon.

The Main Event was the SOCA Festival Concert hosted by St. George Church in Clearwater, Florida on Saturday, June 13th at noon. The Sunshine State host parish worked very hard to prepare for this unforgettable concert. Each choir director took a turn directing the mass choir anthems and various songs. This year's musical selection for the mass choir was "St. George Troparion", directed by Mr. John Vukovich from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.The following choirs participated in this year's festival program:

Stevan Mokranjac Choir, Hamilton, Canada, John Vukovich, Director

St. Sava Choir, St. Petersburg, Florida, Emil Esapovich, Director

S.S.S. Karageorge, Merrillville, Indiana, Kim Simic, Kathy Baroevich, Directors

St. Archangel Michael, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Petar Drobac, Director

Draza Mihajlovich Choir, Cudahy, Wisconsin, Karen Wortchow, Director

Stevan Mokranjac/Branko Radicevich, Chicago, Illinois, Elizabeth Neskow, Director

Very Rev. Father John Todorovich, President Zoran Milic, Dobrinka Milic, Kolo Sisters, Peter Puhar, and the membership of St. George Church were gracious hosts, and provided everyone with a wonderful lifelong memory. Thanks for hosting this special weekend in beautiful, sunny Florida.

Thanks once again to Jelena Mulin for the wonderful pictures!

Mirko Roknich Orchestra provided non-stop music for dancing and plenty of sing-alongs. Several rounds of "Mirjanaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa" were heard across town, as is the case when Joey Puhar and friends are in the house. As seen in the photos, everyone had a wonderful time visiting with old friends and making new ones. Check back for more pictures soon.

Click the small thumbnail photo once to enlarge; then once you're on Photobucket, click it again for a full screen view. Photos can be purchased on Photobucket and picked up at Target. (Saturday photos by Jelena Mulin. Thanks, Jelena!)

Sunday, June 14th marked the final day of this year's SOCA Festival. The combined choirs sang responses for Divine Liturgy at St. George Serbian Orthodox Church in Clearwater, Florida, where Father John is now parish priest. Several visiting clergy also celebrated Divine Liturgy and were overwhelmed by the beautiful voices. The banquet was well attended and everyone got a taste of Dobrinka and friends' wonderful cooking. Click the small thumbnail photo once to enlarge, then once you're on Photobucket, click it again for a full screen view. Photos can be purchased on Photobucket and picked up at Target. (Sunday photos by Peter Mulin, Thanks, Peter!)

The host parish from St. George Church in Clearwater, Florida arranged an elegant dinner cruise on the Starlight Majesty out of Clearwater Beach. Looks like everyone enjoyed some kolo dancing and a breath-taking sunset. It's nice to see Karageorge members take a well-deserved break. Several choirs are in attendance, one from as far away as Hamilton, Canada. Thanks to Jelena Mulin for sending these great photos. Check back daily for more pictures of events.

You are Soooooooo Invited!

Join the St. Sava Srbadija Folklore Group
for their
Winter Wonder Folklore Festival
Saturday, February 28, 2009
at St. Elijah Serbian Hall
8700 Taft Street
Merrillville, Indiana
Festival program will begin promptly at 6:30 p.m.
Followed by zabava (dance) featuring
Sumadija Orchestra
Food (including cevaps, krofne, palacinke)
and Cash Bar will be available
Please come support your folklore kids!
Questions? Call St. Sava Church office at 219-736-9191 or Borka Dragic-Grimsgard at 219-462-8574

Re-live the fun at this year's Serb Fest, Northwest Indiana's best ethnic festival. If you missed this year's event, visit us next year, always the first weekend in August. This annual fund raiser will help build facilities for future festivals and events on the Church grounds in Merrillville. Serb Fest is staffed by dedicated volunteers of all ages. The first day is always kicked off with the Golf Classic, followed by a Serbian Buffet, and the evening is filled with music, dancing, and of course, more great Serbian food. This 3-day event includes a Big Cash Raffle with a $25,000 Grand Prize, many live bands, and a Cultural Exhibit. Serb Fest Menu includes BBQ Lamb, Cevaps, Raznici, Sarma, Chicken, Palachinke, Krofne, Nut Rolls, Strudels of many flavors, and the fabulous Serbian Bakery! See you next year! Watch all 3 Slide shows below.

Helpful Hint: You can double-click on the arrow, go directly to YouTube, RE-START, and click on HIGH QUALITY for a better picture.

The Serbian Folklore Federation of North America celebrated it's 8th Annual Festival in St. Petersburg, Florida June 20th through 22nd. Our own Srbadija senior group attended the event and performed along with many groups from around the country. Wonderful memories were made with friends old and new. Looks like half the fun was just getting there. The performing groups traveled from Milwaukee, Pittsburgh, Chicago, Joliet, Cleveland, Monroeville, Merrillville, McKeesport, Schererville, Aliquippa, and the host town of St. Petersburg. Send us your concert photos to stsavachurch@gmail.com so that we can share them. Thanks to Erin Devaney for sharing these photos.

(Click photos to enlarge)