SVADBA | “WEDDING” : opera and Balkan Folk Dance Party at Halo at the Point – Portland, ME

SVADBA | “WEDDING” – An a cappella opera inspired by women, ritual, and Balkan Folk Music followed by a Balkan Folk Dance Party with Balkan Brass Band Conical Cacophony.

Hogfish presents the Maine premiere of Ana Sokoloviç’s opera SVADBA! SVADBA means “wedding” in English, and this Serbian a cappella tour-de-force show sparkles and captivates as it invites you into the private and ancient rituals between a bride and her friends the night before her wedding.

7-8:30pm | SVADBA
An immersive pre-show inviting the audience into the healing power of the divine feminine and the natural world followed by a performance of the a cappella opera SVADBA (“WEDDING”) by Ana Sokoloviç.

8:30-10pm | BALKAN FOLK DANCE PARTY
Take the energy from the pre-show ritual and opera straight into a Balkan Folk Dance Party, led by Balkan Folk Dancers Sladja Duvnjak and Barbara Merson with the brilliant beats of Balkan Brass Band Conical Cacophony. These dances are fun and accessible for all ages and ability levels!

Hogfish regenerative arts values the contributions of each member of our team. The listings below are in alphabetical order by last name and do not indicate priority.

CAST

Dancer & Ancestral Spirit | Laura Careless
Milica | Mary Johnston Letellier
Danica | Audrey Luna
Lena | Michele Kennedy
Zora | Hailey McAvoy
Nada | Keith Wehmeier
Ljubica | Kim Mendez

CREATIVE TEAM

Director | Matt Cahill
Creative Producer | Edwin Cahill
Choreographer | Laura Careless
Serbian Language Coach | Biljana Cupariç
Balkan Folk Dance Leaders | Sladjana Duvnjak & Barbara Merson
Production Stage Manager | Julia Jennings
Scenic Art Design | Charles Mary Kubricht
Lighting Design & Technical Director | Justin Moriarty
Assistant Stage Manager/Assistant to the Costume Designer | Mira Pickus
Costume Design | Madison Poitrast-Upton
Music Director/Conductor | Shelby Rhoades
Living Set Design | Lynn Shafer

RITUAL ADVISORS

Katharine Doughty, Genell Huston, Carl Austin Hyatt, Therese Jornlin, Jessica Labonte, Celina Lemieux, Tessy Seward, Janey Thibodeau, Doug White, Kathleen White

BALKAN BRASS BAND

Conical Cacophony is a Boston-based brass band delivering Balkan-inspired dance jams. Dazzling horns! Blazing beats! With heavy influence from the music of Macedonia, Serbia, and Bulgaria, and a penchant to party, these rabble rousers will light up any stage or street.

Location: Halo at the Point, Brick Point South, Thompson’s Point, Portland ME

Regenerative Arts CSA (Community Supported Arts): Like a Farm CSA, are you interested in supporting local, having regular access to high quality arts, being part of the Hogfish community, and saving money? Then consider joining the Hogfish CSA and receive two tickets to all Hogfish summer 2025 events (including SVADBA), plus receive an invitation to quarterly (four total) Regenerative Arts CSA member-only salons with Regenerative Artists at Beckett Castle and other venues. Total value = over $1500. Click here to learn more and join the CSA.

*Thompson’s Point in Portland, Maine is a key transportation hub with access to bus and train services. It’s home to the Portland Transportation Center, where Amtrak trains and Concord Coach Lines buses connect. Greater Portland METRO

*Presented by arrangement with B&H Music Publishing Inc. d/b/a Boosey & Hawkes, publisher and copyright owner.