Croatia to Anacortes

An event brought to you by Anacortes Sister Cities Association (501 C-3) celebrating 20 years of sister cities between Anacortes and Vela Luka, Croatia. Our special guests from Croatia will present "Klapa" style singing, accompanied by local band Bonaca, Anacortes-based Croatian Dance Ensemble Vela Luka and Ruze Dalmatinke singers. The "Klapa" way of singing is a traditional method of singing in Croatia, and in 2012 "Klapa" was inscribed in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Kvartet Portun from Vela Luka combines traditional and modern musical expression. During the past 27 years of its work. Kvartet Portun performed all around Croatia and Europe and won numerous awards at local festivals of "Klapa" singing. Klapa FD (Folklorno Drutvo) Kumpanija from Vela Luka has been singing for 17 years. They have recorded 2 CDs with more than 30 songs and have won several awards at domestic and foreign festivals. Bonaca Seattle started making music in 2010 when its founding members wanted to create a group that could play like a great tamburica band but also sing like a traditional Dalmatian klapa. Bonacas repertoire includes both traditional and modern songs from Croatia and its surrounding countries, as well as some American classics. Members of Bonaca also comprise the Ruze Dalmatinke Orchestra, which provides the music for the dances of the Vela Luka Dance Ensemble. The Vela Luka Croatian Dance Ensemble, founded in 1975, performs music and dance of Croatia and the United States. In Anacortes, on Fidalgo Island one-quarter of the residents of this unique community are descended from immigrants from another fishing village: Vela Luka, on the Island of Korula, Croatia. The performers in Vela Luka represent four generations of Croatian Americans who have introduced their cultures extraordinary choreography, music, and instruments to people all over the world.