The Latvian Song and Dance Festival in Rīga
2013.05.20 05:39:43
The Latvian Song and Dance Festival is held every five years in Rīga. This summer Iļģi will take part in these Festival events:
June 30th, 4 p.m., Parade of National Costumes at the International Exhibition Center on Ķīpsala. The Parade's new director, Inga Tropa, brings fresh ideas to this year's event. Working with her has been very interesting.
July 2nd, 8 p.m., Concert of Folk Music "Raksti." Directed by Raimonds Tiguls, this concert will feature many of Latvia's best-known folk artists.
July 6th, Folklore Day. Festivities in the city center and at the Open Air Ethnographic Museum. Ilga Reizniece will lead dancing in a very special place - at the Freedom Monument from 6 to 8 p.m. Live music by Iļģi and others.
Iļģi's music is part of the Grand Dance Concert repertoire.
Ilga Reizniece's students, the folklore group "Vārpa", will be at the child and youth folklore group concert "Blanket of Stars" on June 30th at 2 p.m.
November at home and abroad
2012.11.05 01:40:27
On November 11th at Ventspils’ “Jūras vārti” we will join with Collegium Vocale Ventspils and Jaunais Rīgas Teātris actor Kaspars Znotiņš in a performance of “Piesaukšana”. Composer Uģis Prauliņš based his work on “Piemini Latviju” by author Jānis Jaunsudrabiņš. The performance, conducted by Ivars Cinkuss, will begin at 6 PM. Tickets are available at Biļešu serviss.
We will celebrate Latvia’s Independence Day on November 16th in Oslo at an event hosted by the Latvian Association in Norway.
Our contribution to the celebration in Rīga on November 18th is a new recording of music for the fireworks. This could be the first time they will be accompanied by Latvian folk songs.
June and July Dates in the United States
2012.06.16 21:52:48
We are looking forward to seeing our friends in the U.S. soon!
Celebrate Jāņi with Māris, Gatis, Egons and Mārtiņš at Garezers on June 23rd. Festivities begin at 8 PM, followed by a zaļumballe later in the evening. http://www.garezers.org/.
On Saturday, June 30th, all five Iļģi will perform a concert at the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago. The concert begins at 8:00 PM in the Myron R. Szold Music & Dance Hall, 4545 N. Lincoln Ave. Tickets are only $15 and are available online or by calling 773-728-6000.
https://www.oldtownschool.org/concerts/2012/6/30_ilgi.php
Then it's on to Milwaukee to participate in the XIII Latvian Song & Dance Festival:
Friday, July 6th, 9:00 PM Iļģi concert in the Hyatt Regency Ballroom. Afterwards stick around for the dance with music by Adam Zahl.
Saturday, July 7th, 11:00 AM we will accompany the Folk Costume Parade in the Hyatt Regency Ballroom.
http://www.latviansongfest2012.com/english/
Iļģi debuts at No. 4 on World Music Charts Europe
2012.04.01 11:37:49
We feel humbled and thankful our most recent CD "Tur saulīte pērties gāja" debuted at No. 4 on World Music Charts Europe this April.
It is our third album in the Top 20 of this chart, created by nearly fifty world music radio dj's in twenty three European countries. The first album was "Kaza kāpa debesīs" in 2003, followed by "Ne uz vienu dienu" which reached No. 2 and stayed in the Top Ten for four months in 2006.
The Latvian recording industry named "Tur saulīte pērties gāja" Best Folk Album of 2011.
We are very glad you enjoy our music.
The CD is available for world-wide delivery at eKase and for download on Amazon and on iTunes.
Equinox and Easter
2012.03.26 23:50:41
We spent the equinox playing a concert in St. Catherines church in Vilnius. It was lovely. We met old friends and remembered times when Latvians and Lithuanians made fast and heartfelt friendships.
At Easter we will play a special program for families, especially for our youngest audience. The concerts will take place:
April 8th, 2 p.m., Ogre Cultural Center
April 8th, 6 p.m., Dikļi Palace
April 9th, 4 p.m., Small Guild Hall, Rīga
Children are welcome to bring a pillow for sitting on the floor, from where they will get a better look at the instruments.