WHEN: January 7 – March 31, 2012

OPENING RECEPTION: January 6 at 7:30pm

WHERE: RCC Our Texas (2337 Bissonnet Houston, TX 77005)

Victoria Kovalenchikova is a professional artist from Belarus, who has been living and working in  the Netherlands since 2008. The contemporary trend in her paintings is characterized by a figurative integration of abstract elements. Victoria uses “fragments of emotion” to express her individuality within the framework of urban views and landscapes.

Victoria explains her artwork as follows: “One walks to the favorite spot on the lake, but it is covered with litter.  We inhale pollution instead of a flower fragrance. My new work is an outlook at the apocalyptic transformation of the world which surrounds us; creation of ecological crashes of the planet; shout in the cold infinity of cosmos. It is an attempt to understand and help humans by influencing them through the language of art. Maybe it will prevent desire to destruct and destroy life around us…”

Victoria’s work can be found at the Museum of Belarusian State Academy of Arts, Belarusian Contemporary Fine Art Museum, The National Art Museum of the Republic of Belarus (all in Minsk, Belarus), Maslennikov Art Museum, Mogilev Regional Study of Local Lore Museum named after Romanov, Mogilev Museum of Ethnography (all in Mogilev, Belarus), Belarusian Embassy in Berlin, Germany; Belarusian Embassy in Hague, the Netherlands; in the collection of the municipality of Coevorden, the Netherlands; as well as in private collections in Germany, Polland, Russia, Belarus, USA, the Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, France, Lebanon and Switzerland.

All works are for sale.

Beverages will be served.

For more information please call 713.395.3301 or e-mail OurTexasInc@gmail.com

Sponsors:

WHEN: December 16, 2011 at 7:30pm

WHERE: RCC Our Texas (2337 Bissonnet Houston, TX 77005)

ADMISSION: $8/$6 for RCC members

By Oksana Dvornichenko and Helga Landauer

Structured around the 1973 Soviet propaganda cruise to the United States, which Shostakovich took two years before his death, this film parallels an ocean voyage with the composer’s personal journey from child prodigy to bitter tool of the Politburo. Mixing Soviet propaganda films with snippets of symphonies and rare film of composer at work, directors Oksana Dvornichenko and Helga Landauer portray a man compromising his art to save his life.

As the film jumps back and forth from shipboard frivolities to ecstatic public adorations of Stalin, directors throw in random treasures of synchronized street ballets performance by beaming girls in bathing suits, Paul Robeson singing a Russian folk song, and Shostakovich confessing his hatred of movies and love of Guy de Maupassant.

While the composer’s motivation remains murky, the triumph of his music perfectly matches the aesthetics of Soviet agitprop, which pushes Shostakovich’s personal beliefs out of view. His music is one for the masses.

Community screening with directors’ permission.

Please, purchase your tickets in advance as the seating is limited.

For more information please call 713.395.3301 or e-mail OurTexasInc@gmail.com

Sponsors:

WHEN: December 18, 2011 at 4:00pm

WHERE: RCC Our Texas (2337 Bissonnet Houston, TX 77005)

ADMISSION:  $15 for kids/adults

Make Christmas Experience for Your Kids Unforgettable!

PUPPET THEATER
“Twas The Night before Christmas”

“TwasThe Night Before Christmas” puppet show combines poetry and dialogue to create a Christmas fantasy. The show opens in Santa’s North Pole workshop where we meet Santa, Mrs. Claus, the elves and Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer. The sleigh travels to a snowy forest for scene two, where Rudolph’s nose has become frozen in the snowstorm. Interested to know what will happen to our friends next? Bring your kids and find out with us!

Presents from Father Frost to Each Kid!!!

Please, purchase your tickets in advance as the seating is limited.

For more information please call 713-395-3301 or e-mail OurTexasInc@gmail.com

This event is sold out

Sponsors:

The Russian Cultural Center of Houston has teamed up with Hans Graf, the Houston Symphony, and renowned restaurateur, Tony Vallone, for a special evening “Imperial Russia New Year’s Eve Gala. Our first Annual Gala highlights the best of Russian music and cuisine and will bring in the New Year in classic Russian style, on Friday evening, January 13, 2012.

The gala is honoring the Music Director of the Houston Symphony, for his continued support of the Russian Cultural Center as a board member and the director of our musical programs.

In collaboration with the Houston Symphony, patrons and music lovers have the option of attending both the Jones Hall performance of Sergey Rachmaniniff’s Piano Concertos Number 1 and 4, with guest soloist Kirill Gerstein, and a Russian-style New Year’s Eve Gala at the Ciao Bella restaurant following the concert.

Please join the Russian Cultural Center, the Houston Symphony, and Tony Vallone for this extraordinary evening. Make it a date night or invite your friends to enjoy Gerstein’s performance of Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concertos and Chef Vallone’s special menu of Classic Russian dishes resurrected from the twilight reign of the Romanoffs. The Gala will commence at 10:00 pm, featuring open bar of premiere Russian vodkas, wine and beer, special 5-star three course supper, silent auction and music by the “Gypsies.”

Be a part of the special tribute to the most beloved Russian composer. Don’t miss the opportunity to reserve a table with this year’s Gala Honoree, Maestro Hans Graf, or with our special guests  Russian Consul General, Vice Russian Consul and world renowned pianist Kirill Gerstein.

Proceeds from the event are tax deductible and will be used to underwrite the cultural programs offered to Texans through the Russian Cultural Center. Together, we can boost visibility of the Russian culture and improve the quality of cultural events in Houston.

Combination Houston Symphony Rachmaninoff concert & Gala tickets (sold out)

• Houston Symphony concert (premium seats) + Gala – $239
• Houston Symphony concert (rear orchestra) + Gala – $179

Individual Gala Tickets – $150 (still available)

Gala Sponsor Level Tables of Ten

• $25,000 – seating with Maestro & Mrs. Hans Graf
• $10,000 – seating with the Russian Consul General and spouse
• $5,000 – seating with pianist & Mrs. Kirill Gerstein

The tickets are treated as a charitable donation and are tax deductible.

» Check out our menu

Open bar with Russian vodka, wine, and beer

Black Tie Optional. Silent Auction.

For more information and reservation please call 713.395.3301

Purchase gala tickets 

Gala Chairs:

Jamie Stewart and John Sparacino

Victoria Filippov and George Nemeth

Gala Committee:
Mrs. Donna Alexander, Ms. Lisa Whitaker,
Dr. Boris & Larisa Rubashkin, Dr. Alex Prokhorov,
Ms. Kate Campbell, Ms. Esther Olivarez, Ms. Lisa Lee

Gala Sponsors:

When: November 14, 2011 at 7:30pm

Where: 2337 Bissonnet St; Houston, TX 77005

Admission: $20 (RCC members $16) Please, purchase tickets in advance as sitting is limited.

Sergei Rachmaninoff was a Russian composer, pianist, and conductor. Rachmaninoff is widely considered one of the finest pianists of his day and, as a composer, one of the last great representatives of Romanticism in Russian classical music. Early influences of Tchaikovsky, Rimsky-Korsakov, and other Russian composers gave way to a thoroughly personal idiom that included a pronounced lyricism, expressive breadth, structural ingenuity, and a tonal palette of rich, distinctive orchestral colors.

Program Includes:

• Documentary about Sergey Rachmaninoff
• Presentation by Maestro Hans Graf
• Suite for 4 hands Op. 11
• Selection of Preludes and Etudes (solo pieces)
• Selection of Romances

Hans Graf, Music Director of Houston Symphony. Known for his intensely musical interpretations of a wide ranging repertoire and creative programming, the distinguished Austrian conductor, Hans Graf, is one of today’s most highly respected musicians.

Performers: Ekaterina Ryndina-Loudermilk, Matthew Loudermilk and Karol Bennett.

Ekaterina Ryndina-Loudermilk, a graduate of Gnessin’s Music Academy in Moscow, came to Houston in 2002 to study at Rice University on the President scholarship. She has performed internationaly in Bolshoi Hall of Moscow Conservatory, Rudolfino Hall and National Art Museum in Prague and Study Hall in Houston.

Matthew Loudermilk is a first prize winner the Young Texas Artist Competition, San Antonio Tuesday Music Club piano competition, and second prize at the 2002 National Career Awards Competition in Florida. His performances throughout the United States include appearances at the NFMC national convention in New Orleans, Severance Hall in Cleveland, the Gilmore Festival in Michigan, the Cincinnati Art Museum, and others.

Karol Bennett is hailed for her “sumptuous sound, wrenching poignancy, and faultless musicianship” (The New York Times). An internationally acclaimed soloist, she has appeared locally as with the Houston Symphony, Da Camera of Houston, Musiqa, Ars Lyrica and more and at the Round Top and Victoria Bach Festivals.

Wine will be served.

For more information on this event please contact us at (713) 395-3301

Opening Reception: November 11, 2011 at 7:30pm

When: November 11, 2011 – January 31, 2012

Where: 2337 Bissonnet St; Houston, TX 77005

Admission is free. All works are for sale.

As a soloist of the “Flying Balalaika Brothers” group and former singer of “Red Elvises,” Zhenya Rock is mainly known as a virtuoso guitar and balalaika player. The Russian Cultural Center is now presenting his art works, which correlate with his sparkling musical performance.

Zhenya’s first big influence was a local theater, where Zhenya saw real canvases and big oversized stage props by artist and realist Alexander Savinov. Rock went to Alexander’s studio and took lessons from him, while also attending a local art school. At the age of 17, Zhenya began working for the Vologda Philharmonic Hall as a poster artist. Two years later, he started working at the local Drama Theater as a stage decorator and prop designer.

Three years later, Zhenya moved to Moscow and published his first original art on the cover of a program for an Ostrovsky play for the Moscow Harlequin Theater, where Zhenya also worked as a musician. Since that time, Zhenya was commissioned to make stage props, the theater logo and a series of posters for plays.

Artworks by Zhenya Rock were exhibited at Strictly Taboo Jazz Club (Dallas), Martin La Borde Gallery on Royal Street (New Orleans), Valencia Art Fair (Los Angeles), Viva Chocolato at the Domain (Austin).

On the opening reception guests will get a chance to meet with the artist and see Zhenya perform with the members of “Flying Babalaika Brothers.”

For more information on this exhibit please contact us at 713.395.3301.

Sponsors:

2003. Director Yosif Feyginberg

Language: Russian, with English subtitles.

WHEN: Friday, October 7, 2011 at 7:30pm

WHERE: RCC Our Texas (2337 Bissonnet; Houston, TX 77005)

Admission is free

To this day, Glenn Gould remains a classical music icon, one of the best-known and most accomplished pianists of all time. This is not a conventional biography of a musician, but the story of one great event in Gould’s life—his 1957 trip to Russia—an event that had a long-lasting effect on the performer and his audiences, and would influence future generations of Russian musicians.

Along with new facts and details about Gould’s visit, this program features original Moscow and Leningrad recordings of Gould’s concerts, including the unreleased recording of Gould’s lecture/recital at the Leningrad Conservatory. Also featured are previously unknown, unreleased documents and photographs of Gould’s trip, many from his ‘confidential’ file in the Department of Foreign Affairs. The impact of his visit is also recaptured through the words of celebrated contemporary musicians Mstislav Rostropovich, Vladimir Ashkenazy, and other prominent musicians, musicologists, film and theater directors.

Community screening with distributors’ permission.

For more information call 713-395-3301 or e-mail OurTexasInc@gmail.com

Event Sponsors

This project is funded in part by a grant of the City of Houston through the Houston Art Alliance

The latest works of independent Russian movie makers, as well as a young Houstonian movie maker will be screened in four cities in Texas – Houston, Dallas, Austin and College Station in collaboration with five Texas universities: University of Houston, UT Arlington, SMU Dallas, UT Austin, and A&M College Station.

This year we will present the following movies:
“Harvest Time” and “The Weather Outside is Beautiful” by Marina Razhbezhkina
“Love me Please” and “Window Pane Nostalgia” by Valery Balayan
“Kamchatka: The Salmon Country” by Daniel Levine

Each movie presentation will be accompanied by a lecture and a Q/A session with our honored Moscow guests, acclaimed directors Valery Balayan, Marina Razhbezkina, and Daniel Levine from Houston.

Dates and Venues

Austin

October 24, 2011, 7:30 pm
“Love me Please”
UT Austin, UT campus in Calhoun Hall, Room 100
512.232.9123
Entrance: free

Dallas
October 25, 2011, 5pm
“Love me Please”
U T Arlington, University Hall 108
214.808.3503
Entrance: free

October 28, 2011, 7pm
“Harvest Time”
SMU Dallas, 3225 University Boulevard, Hall McCord Auditorium
214.768.2294
Entrance: free

College Station
October 26, 2011, 7:30 pm
“Love me Please”
Texas A&M College Station, Room 410 at EDMS of the Library Annex at Texas A&M University
979.574.1115
Entrance: free

Houston
October 27, 2011, 6:00 pm
“Harvest Time”
University of Houston, SEC Science and Engineering Classroom Building
713.743.8350
Entrance: free

October 28, 2011, 7:30 pm
“Kamchatka:The Salmon Country” &
“Window Pane Nostalgia”
Russian Cultural Center Our Texas
2337 Bissonnet Houston, TX 77005713.395.3301

October 29, 2011, 6:00 pm
“The Weather Outside is beautiful”
Russian Cultural Center Our Texas
2337 Bissonnet Houston, TX 77005713.395.3301

October 29, 2011, 8:00 pm
“Love me Please”
Russian Cultural Center Our Texas
2337 Bissonnet Houston, TX 77005713.395.3301

Event Sponsors

This project is funded in part by a grant of the City of Houston through the Houston Art Alliance

KSP in translation stands for the Club of Amateur Song. These songs are usually written by average people about their ordinary lives, yet the simple human experience of each song is translated into a powerful message of wisdom and truth, about the value of friendship, family, and love.

Slyots of KSP-South are held twice a year, and organizers try very hard to make everyone feel welcome, even those whose song selection varies slightly from the traditional KSP style.  By bringing together the Russian speaking community, KSP-South not only allows them to experience their culture, but also to expose their spouses, children and friends to this beautiful Russian tradition.

Useful Contacts:

Group Registration & Campsite Reservation: Anna Frolov (832) 545-7225 or KSPsouth@gmail.com
Concert: Slava Nadvoretsky (713) 366-6687 or slavanad@gmail.com
Volleyball: Andrey Bednov (409) 739-6364 or aabednov@yahoo.com
Kids & Teenagers Concerts: Lenya Zborovsky (832) 922-2292 or theleonz@yahoo.com

Where:

Over and over again we are being welcomed by the Alabama-Coushatta tribe at their wonderful campground near Livingston, TX. It is located off US-190E, about 70 miles (from downtown) north of Houston (via I-59). As always, we will be occupying Section D. Amenities include: public bathrooms and showers, Laundromat is within a 3 minute drive, fire rings and charcoal grills, water, volleyball court, covered pavilion and a playground next to the beautiful lake in the pine forest.

How much:

Tickets are $20 per person.  This includes camping in section D of the campground and participation in the festival. Price is the same for those camping both nights, only one night, or not camping at all, therefore we recommend that you take full advantage of all the activities at the festival. Children 15 and under do not need a ticket. Please have cash with you as we do not accept checks or credit cards.

What:

Friday is the “move-in” day. After most people settle in, there will be a Guest Concert at 9:30PM where participants can listen to singing abd poetry of the invited guests from far away states. On Saturday morning people who arrived the night before enjoy the outdoors and meet their neighbors, as others continue arriving. Children’s Camp opens at 12:30 offering fun, active games. At 1PM adults are invited to participate in a friendly volleyball tournament or to play chess, checkers and dominoes in the pavilion. The Children’s Concert begins at 3PM where young talents get a chance to sing for us, followed by a russian rock concert for teens and adults. At 5:30PM we begin the main attraction of the festival, The Concert. If you are interested in performing, please contact Slava Nadvoretsky (713-366-6687) before 2PM on Saturday. It will consist of 2 parts with a break for dinner, and will last approximately till midnight. After the concert everyone is invited to join the circle of friends around the campfires for more songs. There will be marked (on the map) locations as well as those that appear unplanned but nevertheless very much appreciated. Sunday is the “move-out” day, as people exchange contact information and sing the last few songs before leaving the festival.

What to bring:

• Folding chairs or mats for the concerts.
• Camping equipment: tents, mattresses, sleeping bags, pots and pans, flashlights, lanterns, charcoal, plates, cups and utensils.
• Food and drinks. Warning: Lake Tombigbee is located in Dry County, so liquor stores (including stores selling beer) are far away from the campground.
• Most importantly, SONGS, GUITARS and other musical instruments.

How:

No registration is required. Tickets will be sold at the gate. It is recommended, however, for groups of 3+ tents to make a reservation. To do so, please send the name of your group, expected number of people/tents and the preferred location (quiet/singing zone) to KSPsouth@gmail.com. Non-Russian speakers are invited to join the International campsite. Just email us or simply mention at the gate that you prefer to camp there (space is limited). You can contact our hosts at (800) 926-9038, but DO NOT try to make reservations with them as we have pre-purchased the entire section.

Rules:

1. Dogs must be ALWAYS be leashed or tied off. No dogs near the stage.
2. Sheriff will be called after the second warning.
3. Speed limit on the campground is 20 MPH.
4. Parents are asked to keep the children away from the stage during The Concert.
5. No swimming after 8PM.
6. No stereos, karaoke equipment, or amplifiers of any kind will be allowed.
7. Please take all glass containers with you when leaving the festival.
8. Please leave your campsite clean.

Directions:

Houston:
Take US-59 N. Exit “Livingston/Woodville” (67 miles from 610 loop), turn right on US-190. Drive through the town. About 3 miles further you will see the entrance to the Alabama-Coushatta campgrounds (Park Road 56). Driving time from the center of the city is 1 hour 45 min.

Dallas:
Take I-45 S. Exit US-190E exit 116 (168 miles from US75S), turn left on US-190 and drive 44 miles to Livingston, TX. Drive through the town. About 3 miles further you will see the entrance to the Alabama-Coushatta campgrounds (Park Road 56). Driving time from the center of the city is less than 4 hours.

San Antonio:
Take I-10 to Houston (188 miles), then US-59 N. Exit “Livingston/Woodville” (67 miles from 610 loop), turn right on US-190. Drive through the town. About 3 miles further you will see the entrance to the Alabama-Coushatta campgrounds (Park Road 56). Driving time from the center of the city is 4.5 hours.

Austin:
Take TX 71 E (84 miles), then I-10 E to Houston (66 miles), then US-59 N. Exit “Livingston/Woodville” (67 miles from 610 loop), turn right on US-190. Drive through the town. About 3 miles further you will see the entrance to the Alabama-Coushatta campgrounds (Park Road 56). Driving time from the center of the city is 4.5 hours.

Bryan:
Take TX-21 E (37 miles), then right on I-45 S. Exit US-190E exit 116 (26 miles from TX-21), turn left on US-190 and drive 44 miles to Livingston, TX. Drive through the town. About 3 miles further you will see the entrance to the Alabama-Coushatta campgrounds (Park Road 56). Driving time from the center of the city is less 2.5 hours.

WHEN: Saturday, September 24, 2011 at 6:00pm

WHERE: RCC Our Texas (2337 Bissonnet; Houston, TX 77005)

ADMISSION: $15/$12 for RCC Members

Babi Yar is a ravine in the Ukrainian capital Kiev and a site of a series of massacres carried out by the Nazis during their campaign against the Soviet Union. The most notorious and the best documented of these massacres took place on September 29–30, 1941, wherein 33,771 Jews were killed in a single operation. Other victims included thousands of Soviet POWs, communists, Gypsies (Romani people), Ukrainian nationalists and civilian hostages. It is estimated that between 100,000 and 150,000 more lives were taken at Babi Yar.

Program:   

• Movie Screening “Yellow Stars”  (Language: Russian with English subtitles)
• The performers are highly accomplished and present Schwartz’s music with warmth, rhythmic tautness and bite.
• Performance by Vadim Tunitsky (cantor at Temple Emanu-El) and Yanina Didykh(accompanist)
• Short screening of Eugene Evtushenko, reading his poem “Babi Yar”

Please, purchase tickets in advance as seating is limited.

Community screening with distributors’ permission.

For more information, call 713-395-3301 or e-mail OurTexasInc@gmail.com

Event Sponsors

This project is funded in part by a grant of the City of Houston through the Houston Art Alliance