Düvö, Béla and Márton Kodoba, Sándor "Neti" Fodor, Varga "Balog" László, Ádám István, Varga "Csipás" Ferenc, Téka, Ökrös, Muzsikás, Méta, Kálmán Balogh, Életfa, Jómóka
Szászka performs traditional village dance music from Hungary and Transylvania for events and workshops in the United States. The group has studied with Hungarian and Transylvanian musicians both abroad and here in North America.
The band started in 1996 in Madison, Wisconsin with Nienke Oomes as primás on fiddle, Doug Code on kontra/viola and Sara Bruins on bass. In 2006, Colleen Bertsch joined the group, taking up the role of primás. Natalie Nowytski also frequently joins us, playing the bass and singing.
Colleen jammin with the musicians of Valea Larga, Romania on June 2, 2008.
We owe thanks to many people who have supported and encouraged us along the way, including many friends in Madison, Minneapolis, Chicago and elsewhere who have shared their music, dancing and enthusiasm for Hungarian and Transylvanian music with us. We live to play for dancers! We also owe a great deal to many folks who have taught us throughout the years, especially the members of Düvö. We hope to have many more years playing with and for all our friends!
Past Szászka Events:
April 12, 2008
Táncház! Unity Church Unitarian
St. Paul, MN
March 29, 2008
Concert at the Minneapolis Central Library with guest dancers from Izvorasul and Videki.
January 25, 2008
Táncház at the Madison Folk Ball 2008!, Madison, WI
January 12, 2008
Táncház, St. Paul, MN
Unity Church Unitarian
Szászka providing live music for over 100 partiers!
Sept. 8 , 2007
Táncház, Chicago, IL
With Live Music by Szászka (joined by Jim Cockell of Cifra Ensemble, Edmonton, AB)
Feb. 10, 2007
Szászka plays Mezöségi dance cycle at Zabava! , Ethnic Dance Theatre's European Dance Party, St. Paul , MN
Jan 26, 2007
Folk Ball 2007, Madison, WI
Szászka plays for dance workshop and evening party. Mezöségi csárdás is taught by Dan Talmo and Paula White
Our tanchaz (dance party) in St. Paul this past Saturday was a total blast! The energy and enthusiasm of all participants (and the sheer amount of fun) was enough to power an entire city! Thanks all for making the event such a success!
