On any given Sunday, in any Serbian Orthodox Church around the world, you'll hear   acapella voices of choir members singing responses for Divine Liturgy. On Sunday, June 2nd, St. Sava Church was blessed to have the dedicated SOCA choir members join Karageorge in the choir loft. Singers came from St. Louis, Indianapolis, Cudahy, Milwaukee, Chicago, Columbus, East Chicago, Joliet, and Hamilton, Canada. Under the direction of Mary Lou Suitca, they sang inspirational hymns of the Resurrection. Attending Clergy were Very Rev. Marko Matic, Very Rev. Bogdan Zjalic, Very Rev. Lazar Kostur, Deacon Nikolaj Kostur, and Deacon Nenad Jakovljevic.

Karageorge celebrated their 100th Anniversary and hosted the SOCA Festival this past weekend. They presented this video to honor the many past members and founders as well as many past activities. If you would like to obtain a DVD, please contact Kathy Baroevich or Dorothy Paunovich. $5 donation per copy - entire donation directly benefits the choir.

Call early or visit their website for more details or to buy tickets online. Be prepared to witness an event worthy of standing ovations earned in all the major cities in the US. Oplenac will perform on Saturday May 11th at 7 p.m. at Malcolm X College in Chicago. Enjoy an evening of pride in Serbian culture, and perhaps take this opportunity to inspire young children and teens to carry on these traditions.

St. Sava's got talent! We all look forward to the St. Sava Day program each year. Please take a few minutes to watch highlights from this year's presentation of music and poetry. Thank you to all the parents and teachers who have encouraged the students to learn new songs arranged by Joanne Samardzija, who has spent many hours practicing with the children. Both Popadija Vesna Matic and Joanne worked on song selections and translations. Most of all, we're so proud of the students - they are the future leaders, teachers, and members of St. Sava Church. Looks like we're in good hands!

Please take the time to watch both videos. Send these videos to relatives who may have missed the program or live out of town.

 

We all look forward to the St. Sava Day program each year. Please take a few minutes to watch highlights from this year's presentation of music and poetry. Thank you to all the parents and teachers who have encouraged the students to learn new songs arranged by Joanne Samardzija, who has spent many hours practicing with the children. Both Popadija Vesna Matic and Joanne worked on song selections and translations. Most of all, we're so proud of the students - they are the future leaders, teachers, and members of St. Sava Church. Looks like we're in good hands!

 

The south wing was filled with families celebrating the arrival of 2013. Lively Serbian music was provided for dancing by Preldzlije Band. Buffet style dining offered guests endless choices from appetizers to desserts! Club Krajina sponsored this event to raise funds for Krajina's Serbian victims. Happy New Year 2013!

Don't miss this very important event. It only happens every 2 years. It's your chance to make a huge difference in the lives of Serbian children in orphanages and adults in mental institutions. Be a part of Lifeline's efforts that have made great progress in improving living conditions for so many. Great food, music, and entertainment are part of the program. Hope to see you all there! Order tickets now, or available at the door.

Details below:

Don't miss the opportunity for your children to learn traditional Serbian dances and to make lifelong friends. It's so much fun for the dancers, and many performances are planned for the upcoming year. PLEASE TURN IN ALL COMPLETE COSTUMES at registration. THIS INCLUDES OPANKE, SASHES, HATS, for inventory purposes. Board positions for parents are available. Please contact Borka if you are interested at 219-617-1645 or bgrimsgard@yahoo.com - we need your continued support! Three levels are offered for dancers: Pee-wee, Juniors, and Seniors. Registration is from  6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, September 13th in the north wing and Sunday, September 16th from 9:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. in the north wing. First practice will resume on Thursday, September 27th and Pizza and Punch will be served! Hope to see you all!

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.

Join us today for live music by Drina from 1 to 6 and DJ Spaz for dancing from 5 to 9 pm. Be sure to stop by the fantastic Serbian Bakery and view the art exhibit "Images of Faith" in the north wing. Folklore Dancers will perform at 2:00 pm in front of the new Pavilion. Buy a chance to wind the $25,000 Grand Prize - BIG CASH RAFFLE. Everyone is welcome!

The brand new 3 Season Pavilion will offer comfortable dining - rain or shine. Hope to see you there.

Everyone's WELCOME!

 

There's not another festival in Northwest Indiana or Chicago that offers such a variety of non-stop live music for their guests to enjoy. Three days of Serbian music for dancing or dining will keep those happy feet tapping. Choose your favorites below:

ST. SAVA SERB-FEST 2012 ENTERTAINMENT SCHEDULE!

FRIDAY AUGUST 3RD.

"T-RROMA" - from Chicago IL. (7 to 11:30PM) – TAMBURA.
Singer "Milana Anicic" with "Danny Danilovich" & "Bojan Jasnic"(7:00- mid.)
Orchestra "Sumadija" - the Tri-State area, (7:00 to 11:30PM) – KOLO BAND.

SATURDAY AUGUST 4TH!

"DUNAV" - from Northwest IN.  (1 to 6PM) - TAMBURA
"PRAZNA FLASA" - from Milwaukee WI.  (7 to 11:30PM) – TAMBURA
Singers "Dragan Jovovic” & “Slavicia Momakovic-Miljanovic" with
“Zoran Misojcic (“PIZON”)” and “Sveta Tomic (“KAUBOJ”) - (4pm – mid.)
“JEDINSTVO” - from Phoenix AZ. (1 to 6PM) - TAMBURA
Orchestra "MAESTRO" from Northwest IN. (7:00 to 11:30PM) – KOLO BAND.

SUNDAY AUGUST 5TH!

"DRINA" - from Northwest IN. (1 to 6PM) – TAMBURA
"DJ - SPAZ" - from Chicago IL. (5 to 9PM) – KOLO DANCING!

Orthodox Christian churches, including the Serbian Orthodox church, celebrate the “miracle of Easter” or Pascha on the Easter Sunday date in the Julian calendar. Many people see Easter as the most important event in the church calendar. Orthodox Easter preparations begin with 40 days of strict fasting prior to Easter Day. Faithful Orthodox Christians attend liturgies during the Holy Week that leads up to Easter Sunday. Below are three videos that show excerpts of the Easter Divine Liturgy at St. Sava Church.

 

 

Club "Krajina" will host a New Yer's Eve celebration in the south wing starting at 7 p.m., until 1 a.m. Spit - roasted pig dinner with all the trimmings will be offered as well as a bottle of champagne for only $50 per person.

Live entertainment will be provided by:

Bane Djordjevic

Miodrag Stanojevic Zumbul

Vito Zdrale

Milna Anicic

Reservations are limited, so please call the church office at 219-736-9191, or after 3 p.m. call Steve Kljajic at 219-741-0244.

Steven Kozobarich, 36, is a young man from Cleveland who studied Iconography in Russia and painted icons for several years. He visited our Tamburitza Spectacular Exhibit at Serb Fest, where he enjoyed all the wonderful instruments, photos, and artifacts. Tamburitza is a tradition in his family that goes back several generations. His mother, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather all played tamburas. His great-grandfather had orchestras in Serbia and the United States at the turn of the century, and was constantly moving his family back and forth. His grandfather had a small folk group of his own. "I grew up with the music because my parents had an orchestra called "Vatra Ziva" that practiced at our house every week. My dad was the lead prim player, and my mom was the bassist. We had boxes of old 78 rpm records that I used to take out and listen to sometimes, and I was always amazed at the passion and raw talent of those early tamburitza orchestras. Years later I bought a turntable made especially for 78 rpms so that I could transfer them to CD's. Eventually I just wanted to hear more and realized that the only way was to find the records and digitize them myself. Before I knew it I had a real collection on my hands. I started the blog with the hope of building some appreciation for the music, as well as possibly inspiring some current or future tamburasi. But, most of all I just wanted other people like myself to be able to enjoy these old records. There's a lot of history there too that needs to be remembered. Some of those recordings were made before 1910 and are important historical documents".

Visit http://www.tamburitza78s.blogspot.com for a musical treat that should inspire memories of good times.

The site is a blog so it's made up of individual posts that start from the most recent date added. You can go through page by page. When you get to the bottom of a page click "Older Posts". Or you can look for names or subjects in the "Categories" column on the left side of the page and click on those. To listen to music just click on the photo of the record label you want to hear.

Children of all ages enjoyed this year's Serb Fest, where they can run around and enjoy the inflatable slides and amusements in a safe, friendly environment. This year's "Tamburitza Spectacular" Exhibit was a big hit with children who enjoyed playing various string instruments. Perhaps this would be a good time to start a new youth tamburitza group like the ones at St. Sava in the 1960's and 1970's?

Where do they get the energy? Not a single pair of opanke was spotted in this young crowd, but you'll see some great dance moves. Young adults and teens from all over the Midwest came to St. Sava's annual Serbian Festival to meet up with old friends and make new ones. Music all three nights was provided by "DJ Spaz" and "Nocna Smena".

Serb Fest relies solely on the army of volunteers who spend months planning, organizing, selling tickets, baking, and preparing for the 3 day event. Some church members even take unpaid time off from work to help out. Many of these volunteers are not pictured below, but our sincere THANKS and appreciation goes out to anyone who helped in any capacity. Whether you're a palachinka princess, krofne queen, or lamb roaster, it seems that working for a common goal among your Serbian friends can be lots of fun.

Live background music is performed at Saturday's music tent by "Srpski Sinovi".

Thanks also to Borka Grimsgard for sharing some of the photos below.

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.

Chicagoland's DUNAV Orchestra has performed at St. Sava's Serb Fest for many years, as far back as we can remember, even at the old hall on 49th Avenue. The band members include Walter Pravica on violin, Frank Jovanovich on bugarija, John Miksich Sr. on brach, John Miksich Jr. on bass, and Mike Hairlich on brach.The original DUNAV Orchestra has had many different members over the last 50 plus years. The current band members have performed as a group for more than 10 years. Read more about Walter Pravica below.

To hire DUNAV Orchestra, call Walter at (773) 481-8375 or (847) 852-6167

As you may already know, most musicians have "real jobs". Walter Pravica, pictured below with his buddy Milan Opacich, is not only an accomplished violinist, but also is a Professor of Chemistry at Wilbur Wright College in Chicago, and Chair of their Physical Science Department. Walter also plays concert violin with the Northwest Symphony for over 20 years. Best of all, he's a really great Serb with a heart of gold!

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.

What a treat! Bob Bratina, Mayor of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, honored us all with an impromptu frula (flute) performance of "Cacak" with Srpski Sinovi Orchestra. Bob and his wife Carol perform with "Balkan Strings" Orchestra in Hamilton. Tambura fans from all over the US and Canada attended Serb Fest - Florida, California, Utah, Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and all throughout the Midwest region - so make plans to visit next year's event. Oh yes, and VOTE FOR BOB!

DJ Spaz will entertain the dancers this Sunday on the patio, starting at 6:00 p.m., ending at 10:00 p.m. There's always lots of food available. This is a great way to spend an otherwise boring Sunday evening. Bring a friend.

Do you really think you can keep Serbs from celebrating? The food kept coming, the bar kept serving, and we got just a little wet early Sunday evening.  Grilling volunteers used their strengths to hold down tents. Mother Nature can't ruin our fun! We won't be inviting her next year. Seriously, "Ako Bog Da", we'll have a new Four Seasons Building built in time for next year's Serb Fest, so rain will never again be a problem. Borka Grimsgard, always a good sport, looked lovely in her fashionable rain bonnet.

Our sincere THANKS to everyone who visited our Serb Fest celebration this past weekend. We hope you enjoyed all the traditional food offerings and all the talented orchestras that performed non-stop music. Our culture is worth celebrating and very contagious!

Our folklore dance groups are fun to watch and remind us of how important it is to keep these traditions alive. The youth dance tent was filled with hundreds of teens and young adults dancing and singing the night away. It warms your heart to know that they still feel a connection and passion for our music and traditions.

"Tamburitza Spectacular", an exhibit of vintage string instruments was viewed by many, and may have inspired some future tamburasi, the brotherhood of musicians who seem to have a special bond and love for the music of the southern Slavs.

Once again, our sincere thanks to everyone who came to dine, enjoy the music, purchased baked goods, bought raffle tickets, sponsored our golf outing, and supported our main fund raiser. Please check back daily for many videos and photos from Serb Fest 2011, and always check the "Events" listing to see what's happening at St. Sava and other churches.

This video by Mike Paunovich is just a small sampling of the weekend events.

 

 

Today's hours are from Noon to 9:00 p.m., so this is your last chance to enjoy the food, music, and fun. Be sure to visit the Tamburitza Spectacular historical exhibit in the north wing. Tonight's highlight will be the BIG CASH RAFFLE Drawing for several prizes, including the $25,000 Grand Prize, plus the Smithsonian Prima made by Milan Opacich.

Pictured above are veteran tamburasi George Tatalovich, Wally Pravica, and Milan Opacich in the Serbian Historical Society's exhibit "Tambura Spectacular!"

Lucky Gordon Gerbick would like to sell you that winning raffle ticket, so what's his secret?.....Must be that hat!

New hours:

FRIDAY 4 - Midnight

SATURDAY - Noon to Midnight

SUNDAY - Noon to 9 pm

 

This is your invitation to a memorable 3 day weekend of non-stop Serbian music, great food, dancing, and a whole lot of culture! Bring the family, co-workers, and friends to enjoy the sights and sounds of old country traditions. Take a few minutes to visit "Tambura Spectacular", a free exhibit of Milan Opacich's personal collection of 60 vintage tamburitza string instruments, photos, sheet music, and artifacts. Children will  enjoy amusements on Saturday and Sunday. You can golf with your Serbian friends Friday. BIG CASH RAFFLE TICKETS will be sold for the $25,000 cash prize!  Everyone's welcome!

Please copy and share the link below to this commercial with friends by email or facebook.

http://youtu.be/3CYaa5g4KQU                                Hope to see you there!

NOCNA SMENA is the featured entertainment for this Sunday night. Cevap Pita Pockets, Krofne, and cool drinks will be available for purchase. Plan a relaxing night among friends before next weekend's Serb Fest.

Join us for music and dancing outdoors and under the stars!

Sunday Evening July 17, 6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m

St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church

9191 Mississippi St., Merrillville

Featuring music by:

DJ SPAZ

FOOD AND DRINKS AVAILABLE for purchase.

Sunday Nights don't have to be boring any more!

Photos from last Sunday night with Nocna Smena:

 

ST. SAVA SERB-FEST 2011 ENTERTAINMENT SCHEDULE!

FRIDAY AUGUST 5TH!
DINING FOOD TENT (TAMBURA MUSIC)

"T-RROMA" - from Chicago, (4 to 8PM)
"DRINA" - from Northwest In., (8 to midnight)

MAIN BAR TENT

Featuring Singer "Milana Anicic"
Accomp. By "Danny Danilovich" & "Bojan Jasnic"(7:30 to midnight)

PATIO AREA (YOUTH MUSIC/KOLO DANCING)

Orchestra "DELIJE" - from Northwest In., (7:30 to midnight)
****************************************

SATURDAY AUGUST 6TH!
DINING FOOD TENT (TAMBURA MUSIC)

"DUNAV" - from Northwest In., (noon to 3PM)
"SRPSKI SINOVI", from Pittsburgh (4 to midnight)

MAIN BAR TENT

Featuring Singer "Milana Anicic"
Accomp. By "Danny Danilovich" & "Bojan Jasnic"(7:30 to midnight)

PATIO AREA (YOUTH MUSIC/KOLO DANCING)

Featuring "DJ SPAZ" from Chicago!!!! (7:30 to midnight)
********************************************

SUNDAY AUGUST 7TH!
DINING FOOD TENT (TAMBURA MUSIC)

"DUNAV" - from Northwest In., (noon to 4PM)
"PRAZNA FLASHA" - from Milwaukee (5 to 9PM)

MAIN BAR TENT

Featuring Singer "Milana Anicic"
Accomp. By "Danny Danilovich" & "Bojan Jasnic"(5 to 9PM)

PATIO AREA (YOUTH MUSIC/KOLO DANCING)

"NOCNA SMENA" - from Indiana (5 to 9PM)

This Father's Day weekend will be full of activities supporting the New Gracanica Diocese Annual Golf Outing, hosted by St. Elijah Cathedral in Merrillville. After golfing, enjoy great food, music, and dancing at the church hall. Hope to see you there!

Last year's joint festival "One Love Serbian Song" inspired choirs to sing together for the first time since the mid 1960's. St. Sava and St. Elijah from Merrillville and Sts. Peter & Paul  from South Bend combined their 3 choirs and recruited director Milan Medich to lead them on their musical journey. Mismo Tamburitza Orchestra members volunteered their talents along with Nicky Sever. The festival preparation turned out to be such a wonderful experience, so they agreed to keep the group together. Since then, they have performed spiritual music and folk songs at Lifeline's Fundraiser, several festivals, Slavas, and Anniversaries. They practice hard, and celebrate when they're done. Last year was filled with fun and outstanding performances, and there's always great food available - many bring a side dish. New friendships for a lifetime were made. The choirs finished the season with a Christmas Party.

Join this choir!

The first practice of the season is scheduled for Sunday, June 26th at 4 PM at Nick & Melanie Sever's home in Ogden Dunes. New members are encouraged to join. Teens and young adults, boomers and seniors are all welcome! Milan Medich is the director of this lively group. Call Melanie at (219) 762-9652 for details and directions.

 

Great Vespers and Burning of the Badnjak (Yule Log) were celebrated on the evening of January 6, 2011 by Fr. Marko. S.S.S. Karageorge Choir sang the responses to a church full of parishioners. Sunday School children performed Christmas songs and were anointed with Holy Oil. All the traditional treats: Lenten sandwiches, fruit, figs, and vrucha rakija were served in the South Wing Social Center after burning of the Badnjak.

Winter Blues got you down? Cheer Up! "Plavi Safir" is Coming to Town!

 

St. Sava's parishioners celebrated 96 joyous years of church history on Sunday, November 14th on a very cold, windy day. Sts. Peter & Paul parish members, Fr. Sasa Nedic, and their Aleksa Shantich Choir came by bus from South Bend to help us celebrate this special day. We were honored by their participation and support. Also in attendance were Mother Antonina and Sister Marina from Nativity of the Mother of God Monastery in New Carlisle. After Divine Liturgy, the faithful joined the procession to the war memorial monument for a solemn Parastos and laying of a red, blue, and white wreath by guest speaker Desko Nikitovic. St. Elijah's Hall catering served a delicious meal, and we were all treated to a fabulous Kolo - style endless dessert table. Program highlights included a performance by the combined choirs of St. Sava and St. Elijah from Merrillville, and Sts. Peter & Paul from South Bend, and a lively dance performance by our own Srbadija Folklore Groups. Church President Dennis Svilar touched on his own personal memories of growing up at St. Sava, and guest speaker Desko Nikitovic inspired us to strive to stay in touch with our strong Serbian roots. Mismo Orchestra treated everyone to a sing - along before and during the meal, and they also accompanied the combined choirs. A slide show of old and new photos was played on 2 large screens. The photos honored the memory of deceased family members, the church on 13th & Connecticut, and recent events, perhaps to inspire us to recognize the responsibility we have to keep this church strong.

For many years we've enjoyed a sing - along with the guys from MISMO at our anniversary banquets. This year they also accompanied the combined choirs from St. Sava and St. Elijah in Merrillville and St. Peter & Paul from South Bend. Band members are Steve Baroevich, Mike Jaksich, Dan Orlich, and Mike Ticich, along with special guest musician Nick Sever. Enjoy the samplings in the video below.

When: Friday November 26^th

Where: St George Serbian Hall

Time: 7:00pm until 12:00am

Admission: $5.00 / 16 and under free

Serbian & American Music

Food Will Also Be Served

DJ: Vinko

All proceeds will go towards the St George Basketball fund!

TELL ALL YOUR FRIENDS

Enjoy the sights and sounds from this year's Serb Fest. Join us next year as we host another fun weekend. Thanks to "Prazna Flasa" for providing background music.

Thanks to Mim Bizic and Donna Suffoletta for sharing this moving rendition of one of the most beautiful songs as performed by the State Academic Cappella of Saint Petersbourg.

 

No wonder the food was so good.

Leave it to this group to make work so much fun that you'll want to work the food tent next year. They serve.......they sing.......they dance........who knew?

Three choirs from Merrillville and South Bend decided to join together and perform for this year's "One Love Serbian Song" Festival in Chicago during Memorial Day weekend. They had so much fun practicing and performing together, so they decided to stay together and continue performing as a group. The  dining crowd at St. Sava's Serb Fest was treated to a casual performance. Milan Medich directs, and Nick Sever, Steve Baroevich, Dan Orlich, and Mike Jaksich have all volunteered their time for this choir. Many new friendships have resulted from this effort. Membership is open. Contact your church choir director for details.

In spite of the intense heat, all 3 folklore groups entertained the crowd in full costume on Serb Fest Saturday. Several dancers were missing because of family vacations planned, and they had no formal practice all summer. Thanks to all the dancers for a great show and special treat!

 

Our sincere Thanks and appreciation are extended to everyone who visited this year's Serb Fest. It was our pleasure to serve you. We hope you had a great time and enjoyed the Serbian food, entertainment, and live music. Your support will help fund future improvements and building on our church property.

Check back daily for photos, videos, and a listing of our golf sponsors, all local businesses that need our support.

SEE YOU NEXT YEAR! ZIVELI!

Serb Fest Sunday will be full of non - stop music, dancing, and great food: cevaps, lamb, pig, raznicici, palachinke, and strudel. All this with a background of wonderful live Serbian music. You can even dance off those calories and start all over again. At 5:00 pm, the combined choirs of St. Sava and St. Elijah in Merrillville along with St. Peter & Paul from South Bend will perform a medley of Serbian Folk Songs, accompanied by tamburitza musicians. You won't want to miss this performance. Visit the historical exhibit in the north wing, featuring the Serbian Sisters Circle and Serbs in Sports. Bring the kids, there are plenty of activities for all age groups. Sunday Hours: Noon to 10 pm.

BIG CASH RAFFLE TICKETS can be purchased for the $25,000 Grand Prize, Total $50,000 Pay Out Raffle. Purchase tickets from any church member or at the food ticket tents for $100. We're very happy to see that Lucky Gordon Gerbick broke out of the hospital just in time to sell you a winning ticket wearing his lucky hat. Pictured below are National Treasures Gordon Gerbick and his buddy Milan Opacich. Visit Milan today in the north wing exhibit room (museum).

 

Saturday hours are from noon to midnight, so come spend a few hours relaxing with us. Enjoy live Serbian music and come hungry, we're well prepared to offer up some great Serbian specialties. There's something new this year: St. Sava Folklore Group 'Srbadija' will perform traditional dances in full costume at 5:00 pm. Church Tours schedule will be announced. The Serbian Bakery has  palachinke, strudels, and assorted pastries to satisfy your sweet tooth. Exhibits honoring our hard - working Serbian Sisters Circle (Kolo),  Serbian athletes, Mile Kosanovich, Karl Malden, and our music can be seen in the North Wing from noon to 10 pm. Please join us, everyone's welcome!

Little Lukie Hayden accompanied "Prazna Flasa" Friday and received his first $1 tip. The boys in the band want him to join them, but he'll just start his own band Prazna Drink Box. Just wait til you see the video!

Get ready for the main event: SERB FEST 2010. Find your dancing shoes and cameras, and start dreaming about cevaps, raznici, lamb, and palachinke. Bring all your non-Serb friends to this great celebration of culture. Golf foursomes and sponsorships still available. Check back daily for event info. Everyone is welcome!

SERB FEST HOURS

FRIDAY, NOON TO MIDNIGHT

SATURDAY, NOON TO MIDNIGHT

SUNDAY, NOON TO 10 PM

Get ready for the MAIN EVENT: SERB FEST 2010. Let's use our social networking tools to help get the word out. Simply copy this link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83YFYOfB230

to an email or post to your Facebook videos to help get the word out. Invite all your friends and family for a weekend of great food, music, dancing, and Serbian culture. Welcome to Serb Fest 2010!

ENTERTAINMENT SCHEDULE

Friday, July 30

PRAZNA FLASA Tambura Band

Golf Luncheon 1:30pm - 3:30pm, and 7pm  - Midnight, Patio Area

Milana Anicic & Deki Petrovic 6 pm - Midnight, Bar Tent

ORCHESTRA SUMADIJA 7pm - Midnight, South Tent

 

Saturday, July 31

DUNAV Tambura Band    2pm - 6 pm, Patio Area

Milana Anicic & Zoran Miletic 6pm - Midnight, Bar Tent

UNITED SERBS 7pm - Midnight, South Tent

DUNAV Tambura Band 7pm - Midnight, Patio Area

 

Sunday, August 1

KRILICH BROTHERS Tambura Band  3:30pm - 10pm, Patio Area

Neda Gorancic & Milan Spase Spasojevic 4pm - 10pm, Bar Tent

ORCHESTRA SUMADIJA 6pm - 10pm, South Tent

 

Enjoy the sounds of great Serbian Music daily at Serb Fest!

 

 

 

With over 70 videos created about church events, Serb Fest, Serbian Historical Society displays, church services, and more...........follow the link and watch at your leisure. Put us in your favorites, subscribe or become friends, or share on your facebook page. Once there, select UPLOADS at the top of the page to see the complete listing. To watch any of our previously featured videos, here's the link:

http://www.youtube.com/user/stsavachurch#p/u

You'll notice the new tool on the right where you can also click on the photo to go directly to the channel.

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.

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.

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.

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.

 

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

Once again St. Elijah of Merrillville hosted a great tournament. Their facility is spacious, the food was delicious, and The Fieldhouse was the perfect choice for games. Even the weather cooperated for a perfect weekend of fun. Final game scores and winning trophy details will be published in the next issue of the SRBOBRAN. (more videos and photos still coming)

"Dancing with the Serbs" last Saturday night  - everyone earns a score of 10! Hundreds of young people made dancing look effortless, but where were the opanke? St. Elijah Cathedral parish was the perfect host for SNF's 71st Annual Basketball Tournament and dances. Check back for more videos and photos.

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!

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.

Yes, Serb Fest now has a commercial!

Send this to all your Serbian friends and relatives, to friends who know Serbs, and to those who wish they were Serbs...........That's just about everyone, isn't it?

 

• To send this blog:

• Click on the blog title (permanent link)

• Copy the URL, paste it an email, and send to to all your friends.

Be sure to attend St. Elijah's Serb Fest July 17, 18, and 19. Come for the delicious Serbian food and baked goods, dancing, and relax while you enjoy fantastic Serbian music. St. Elijah Cathedral is located at 8700 Taft Street, Merrillville.  Sign-up and details for the Saturday Golf Outing are below.

The Brkich triplets will perform at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 19th. You won't want to miss this special event!

Father Aleksandar Novakovic
&
The Executive Board President Nick Beader
Would like to invite YOU to participate at our annual

GOLF OUTING
On Saturday, July 18 at
St. Elijah Serbian Orthodox Cathedral
8700 Taft, Merrillville, IN 46410

Our SerbFest GOLF OUTING will be held
at Summertree Golf Course in Merrillville

For details and to sign up call
Nick Beader (219-405-2175) or Pete Grubnich (219-663-1558)

 

St. Archangel Michael Church, 18550 Stony Island, in Lansing, Illinois will host this year's exciting SNF Basketball Tournament. Games will be played at Purdue Calumet, 2200 169th Street, Hammond, and Lincoln Center, 2450 Lincoln Street, Highland. Click  the links for maps.

Click the Link below to view the Brackets:

SNF BRACKETS 2009 GAMES

SCHEDULE OF SOCIAL EVENTS:

 

THURSDAY, MAY 14

REGISTRATION

St. Archangel Michael Social Center opens at 6 p.m., DJ at 7:30,

Serving Cevaps and sandwiches

 

FRIDAY, MAY 15

Social Center opens 6 p.m., Dance starts at 7 p.m.

Music: T-Roma in Bar, Mladost in main Hall

Kitchen open from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Serving Chicken, Shishkobob, Fish

 

SATURDAY, MAY 16

Social Center opens 1 p.m., Dance starts at 7 p.m.

Music: Drina in Bar, Mladost in main Hall

Kitchen open from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Serving Lamb, Pork Loin, Cevaps

 

ADMISSION FOR NON-PLAYERS:  $10

 

Narrow Path Book Store will be open nightly from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

 

All Championship Games will be played at Thornton Fractional South

High School, 18500 Burnham Ave., Lansing, IL 60438, starting at 11:15 a.m. Saturday.

 

Enjoy the small video segments from Easter Sunday Divine Liturgy, celebrated April 19.

Hristolu unghia!
Hristos a înviat!
Χριστός ἀνέστη!
Христос възкресе!
Христос васкрсе!
Христос воскресе!
Krishti u ngjall!
Քրիստոս յարեաւ ի մեռելոց՜
!ܫܪܝܪܐܝܬ ܩܡ
Christos tensiou!
ქრისტე აღსდგა!

Christ has risen! Happy Pascha, everybody!

Serbian music filled the entire room as both folklore groups proudly performed the difficult dance steps at Saturday's wonderful celebration of culture sponsored by PURDUE Calumet. The event was part of the university's Building Community through the Arts program. Included were ethnic displays, music, dancing, foods, poetry, history, and focus on continuing these valuable traditions. Thanks to all these young Serbs, whose participation made us all very proud! Niko Nema Sto Srbin Imade!

Thanks to everyone at PURDUE University for hosting a fantastic program featuring the cultures of the different regions of the former Jugoslavia. Their "Building Community through the Arts" program successfully demonstrated the importance of sharing our rich customs, dances, music, language, and foods. "Mismo" Tamburasi welcomed everyone as traditional ethnic foods were offered: sarma, cevapcici, burek, pogacha, and palachinke were served up by students and faculty. The Serbian Historical Society provided items unique to our culture for the display cases, and the Lifeline Humanitarian Organization provided information about their relief efforts. Vera Barach Mileusnic shared a personal story of a wooden trunk that represented her heritage and culture, certainly not the physical items, that were brought here by her family almost 60 years ago.

Chancellor Howard Cohen greeted the audience, and Natalie Vujovich reminded us that we live in a richly diverse community built by immigrants from  the region. Biljana Dimovski and Marija Dobratic read poetry in Macedonian and Serbian. Croatian Author Rosemary Gard read passages from her first novel, "Destiny's Dowry", and was moved to tears by the dance performances, reminding her of the Zabavas of yesterday.

Folklore groups treated us to lively Serbian and Macedonian dance performances by Srbadija of St. Sava, Kitka of Sts. Peter & Paul Macedonian Church in Crown Point, Goce Delcev Dancers of Sts. Kiril & Metodij Macedonian Church in Hinsdale, IL, and Bozur Dancers of St. Simeon Serbian Church in South Chicago. The Grand Finale was a huge kolo as "Mismo" Tamburasi got everyone off their feet - you just couldn't help it! The Purdue committee members certainly welcomed us with "Dobro Dosli", and we sincerely thank them and would like to wish them all "ZIVELI" (Cheers, and long life!).

 

 

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.

ST. SAVA SERBIAN FESTIVAL 2008 ENTERTAINMENT SCHEDULE

FRIDAY AUGUST FIRST: LOCATION TIME

T-RROMA TAMBURA NORTH TENT (golfers only) 2 – 6 PM

MISMO TAMBURA NORTH TENT 6 – 9 PM

DRINA TAMBURA NORTH TENT 9 – MIDNIGHT

SASA KUSEVIC SOUTH TENT 4 – 8 PM

NOCNA SMENA SOUTH TENT 8 – MIDNIGHT

SATURDAY AUGUST SECOND: LOCATION TIME

DUNAV TAMBURA NORTH TENT NOON – 4 PM

T-RROMA TAMBURA NORTH TENT 4 – 8 PM

DRINA TAMBURA NORTH TENT 8 – MIDNIGHT

SASA KUSEVIC SOUTH TENT NOON – 4 PM

JO-JO BLUES BAND SOUTH TENT 4 – 7 PM

ORKESTRA SUMADIJA SOUTH TENT 8 – MIDNIGHT

SUNDAY AUGUST THIRD: LOCATION TIME

DUNAV TAMBURA NORTH TENT NOON – 4 PM

MISMO TAMBURA NORTH TENT 4 – 8 PM

SASA KUSEVIC SOUTH TENT NOON – 4 PM

UNITED SERBS SOUTH TENT 4 – 8 PM

Holy Trinity Church in St. Louis, Missouri will host this year's 43rd Annual SOCA Festival May 30th through June 1st. Karageorge is looking forward to that wonderful weekend of song, dance, and friendship as the date approaches. Last year's concert weekend was made memorable by our guests, the Branko Choir from Nis, Serbia, as they performed with amazing perfection. The CD's from last year's concert in Merrillville will be available at this year's event in St. Louis. Just see Desa Halstead from Karageorge at the festival, or order it here online in Goods & Services for only $25 (3 CD Set) plus $4 S & H.

For more information and schedule of events, visit Holy Trinity Choir's website.

SERB FEST 2006 was quite the event to attend. Milan Opacich chose that weekend to retire from his lifelong career performing with his Tamburitza Orchestras. Once the word got out, the hall was filled to capacity all weekend long as people came from all around the country and Canada to witness his final curtain call. It was very emotional for all as Karageorge members and the room full of fans sang "Mnogaja Ljeta and Zivio" in tribute to Milan with wife Roz and daughter Karin by his side.

Tom Andrejich, Nick Tarailo, and Vinko Mancich joined Sumadija Band as the "boys" took us back to the 70's with a MLADA SRBADIJA reunion. Tom lives in southern California and Nick runs Bronko's in Crown Point, Indiana, and both made a special effort to treat us with their musical talents as the endless kolo line filled the patio dance floor.

Enjoy this music from the 2006 Serb Fest DVD performed live by Drina Tamburitza Orchestra and Mlada Srbadija. The $20 DVD benefits the St. Sava Cultural Museum fund. The 2 hour DVD can be purchased in Goods & Services.

You can play the songs directly from this player or download them to your computer or iPod. Click the album with 8 tracks (in the light blue area) to load them in the player and enjoy!

Jammin' at Serb Fest 2007! The Youth Tamburitza Orchestra from Joliet, Lansing, and Northwest Indiana stole the show Sunday night with their enthusiasm and skills. Under the direction of Dennis Barunica, they're looking to recruit new membership, beginners welcome. Call Dennis (219)902-3611 for dates and practice times. TRroma plays a lively variety of international music-you just can't sit still. "Sing along Rod" Pujo was serenaded by the veteran Drina Orchestra Friday evening. We were treated to a wonderful violin performance by young Alec Mandich from Indy, accompanied by Drina. Sumadija Orchestra played outdoors for the hundreds of dancers who were not to be discouraged by the heat and high humidity. The video shows just a sampling of the many great entertainers featured at this year's festival. Please join us again next year for a weekend of outstanding food, fun, music, and friendship-Everyone Welcome!

 

 

SERB FEST celebrates Serbian heritage and culture: three wonderful days of music, dancing, and delicious food. Highlights include a MLADA SRBADIJA reunion and Milan Opacich's retirement performance with DRINA. Join Milan for a narrated tour of this year's mini-museum, a display of musical instruments and historical artifacts.   

DVDs can be ordered from St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church of Merrillville, IN by calling 219-736-9191 or mail in payment with this form.

2006, Color, Approx: 110 minutes, Widescreen, NTSC, Plays in All Regions
Video production by Symmetric Media


Be sure to rate our video and leave us a comment at YouTube.