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The Glorious Past of Our People |
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BALKANIZE! is currently made up of the following musicians: |
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![]() Geoff Bennett Speer (octave
mandolin, kaval, bağlama saz, octave mandolin, darbuka, accordion, cümbüş, clarinet, davul) When
Geoff was young, he lived in the former
Geoff composes and choreographs Middle Eastern belly dance drum solos with his wife Geoff graduated from
Geoff is a founding member of BALKANIZE!
Lar,
a Chicago native, started piano lessons at age seven, and played baritone horn, sax, and tuba in high school marching band.
As an adult, he studied flamenco and classical guitar, and became involved with Richmond's bellydance community
by drumming with local tribal group To The Earth for about a year. In the fall of 2007, Lar
saw BALKANIZE! perform at Tribal Jam 6, became an early diehard fan, and soon joined the band. When not working tirelessly for BALKANIZE!, Lar enjoys feta
cheese. He is now learning oud with Raffi Bandazian. Lar joined BALKANIZE! in February
2008.
Chip discovered music at an early
age, learning the way that notes, chords, and keys all fit together from his grandfather, a self-taught player of the violin,
banjo, and guitar. Decades later, love for a belly-dancer
inspired him to take up the doumbek and learn Middle Eastern rhythms. To his surprise, he discovered a talent for playing,
an interest in the music, and a true passion for playing for dancers. This passion has expanded to include West African
rhythms, Tahitian music, and Eastern European music. Chip
joined BALKANIZE! in September, 2008.
Julie Bright (vocals, tambourine)
Julie Bright has been involved in music ever since she can remember; in the past, she has played French horn, piano, flute,
piccolo, tenor sax, oboe and recorder. She has always loved singing harmony; she can still sing the harmony to every 70's
pop song she heard on the radio as a child. In high school she discovered Progressive Rock and remained obsessed until many
years later when she embraced the lofty musical style called Chicks With Guitars. Folk music has remained a passion; Irish
folk in particular has been a longtime favorite.
Julie joined BALKANIZE! in May, 2009.
Don't be fooled by the sweet face: Dvora
is pure evil. Her hobbies include stealing the covers, preparing for disaster,
being randomly inappropriate, psychologically torturing Geoff with spontaneous outbursts of "You Are My Sunshine," and
changing her mind. From
an early age she was living wild and free. Then, just like everyone else on the
planet, she grew up to be an eclectic and unique individual. Dvora has no first
name; however, she does have a jewelry box filled with cicada exoskeletons and old keys. With no previous experiences to prove otherwise,
Dvora decided at age 36 that she could sing. No one has yet disabused her of
this notion, but she maintains high hopes. Dvora has been belly dancing since 1990. She
is an assistant director and founding member of Dvora joined BALKANIZE! in July, 2008. She is currently
on hiatus from the band but hopes to return soon. BALKANIZE!'s previous performances include: š š š š October
20th, 2007 - Tribal Jam 6 with special guest percussionist Blake Methena,
Henrico County, VA. š š December 31st, 2007 - BALKANIZE! opened for Rattlemouth at their
annual New Years Eve World Music Dance Party with special guest percussionist Blake Methena at Art6 Gallery, Richmond, VA. š January
4th, 2008 - Holiday celebration with the Richmond International Folk Dance
Club, Dumbarton Elementary School, Henrico County, VA. š July
14th, 2008 - Private party with the Richmond International Folk Dance Club,
Henrico County, VA. š August š September 19th, 2008 - BALKANIZE! opened for Rattlemouth
at Art6 Gallery, Richmond, VA. š
September 27th, 2008 - Tribal Jam 8, Henrico
County, VA. (This event will forever be known as 'Black Saturday'
in BALKANIZE! lore, memorialized annually with traditional feasts of rocks and Bosnian jumping snake skins marinated
in prune vinegar ... all dancing should be done on only one foot) š October 5th, 2008 - The Folk Music Dance Party at Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA. š November 1st, 2008 - HSDAA First National Specialty
Show at the Wyndham Hotel, Virginia Beach, VA. š December 7th, 2008 - The
Folk Music Dance Party at Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA. š December 31st, 2008 - BALKANIZE!
opened for Rattlemouth at their annual New Years Eve World Music Dance Party at Art6 Gallery, Richmond,
VA. š September 11th, 2009 - Ellwood's
Coffee, Richmond, VA. š November 20th, 2009 - Ellwood's
Coffee, Richmond, VA.
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