Before they even shared a common language, Shalva and Andrea formed a deep connection through Georgian songs.
Join them throughout this anniversary year for special concerts, singing workshops and more performances.
25th ANNIVERSARY CONCERT SAT JUN 13 8:00 PM at Small World Music, 180 Shaw St ticket info coming soon or message to receive updates
4-WEEK SINGING WORKSHOP TUE MAY 19, MAY 26, JUN 9 and JUN 16 7:00-9:00PM in their Toronto West end home, fee is $200 message us for more info or to register
MONTRÉAL QC Jul 10 18:00 Concert au Parc Lahaie dans le cadre de « Musique sous un arbre» gratuit/free Jul 12 10:00-17:00 Atelier/Workshop polyphonie géorgienne (limité à 12 chanteurs) $150 email orishalva at gmail.com
BELLEVILLE, ON Jul 13 13:00 at the Kafana, 199 Front Street – time to be determine
The rare sound of harmonized voices form the same family…
Performing a thousand year old singing tradition from a small obscure country…
Sounds that you would rarely hear in North America, let alone the rest of the world…
Saturday, April 12, 2025 7:30 PM Teatro Sur Theatre – 1159 Dundas St E, Studio 145 (at Carlaw) Tickets: $18/$22 Limited Advance | $25 Door | $50 Support/VIP ADVANCED TICKETS HERE WATCH OUR TRAILER PRESS RELEASE
Prepare to be transported to the breathtaking mountains of Georgia (Sakartvelo) through the hauntingly beautiful harmonies of Ori Shalva. On Saturday, April 12th at 7:30 PM, Ori Shalva will present “Echoes of Sakartvelo” at Teatro Sur Theatre (1159 Dundas St E Studio 145, at Carlaw). This concert celebrates their return from Georgia and the release of their debut EP, “Sounds of Georgia.”
Ori Shalva, aka the Makharashvili family, is a family like no other. They formed out of a love for Georgian polyphony, and despite being 9,000 kilometers away from its homeland, for the past 2 decades they have nurtured the rare and intricate tradition of Georgian polyphony—an ancient musical form recognized by UNESCO as an intangible masterpiece of humanity. Their masterful performances offer a rare glimpse of the breadth of this living tradition that remains largely inaccessible outside of Georgia.
Ori Shalva’s performances are not just concerts—they are profound cultural experiences. Their voices evoke images of mountain villages, ancient celebrations, and the unbreakable bonds of family and community. While Georgian polyphony remains a niche tradition rarely heard outside its homeland, Ori Shalva has become a vital link to this rich heritage.
At the beautiful Teatro Sur Theatre, in Toronto, 1159 Dundas St E Studio 145, at Carlaw. Includes a gourmet 6 course homemade Georgian meal (menu below) & 2 glasses of wine. Songs (by ORI SHALVA) and toasts interspersed through the evening. For info or to reserve your spot, email OriShalva at Gmail.com or visit our donation page, which also has more ways to support Ori Shalva’s travels to Georgia. Want to know more about Georgian cuisine? Visit our Instagram account 2Shalva where we’ll be occasional postings different dishes that will be served at The Supra.
Foodies and music lovers would be interested to know that on September 8, Ori Shalva is hosting a musical fundraising event that is also an exceptional dinner, featuring Georgian cuisine, “the best little-known cuisine in the world“. In the Post-Soviet states, Georgian food is loved for its elaborate blend of spices, walnuts, and fresh herbs and fruit that result in savoury stews, purees, sauces and salads. In Soviet times, it replaced the French haute-cuisine of the Tsarist era and grew in such popularity. But the only way to understand why this is, is to try it!
Here’s your chance to not only try it but to experience it in one of the most authentic performance opportunities of Georgian song – not in a concert hall but around a dinner table, sharing food, song and toasts!
The menu is still being finalized but will likely look a lot like this:
Charkhlis Pkhali (beet puréed with walnuts and fresh herbs)
Lobios Burtebi (beans cooked in rare blend of Georgian seasoning, shaped in to balls, and rolled in crushed walnuts)
Kharcho (walnut-garlic infused chicken stew)
Shemtsvari Badrijani Saladi (a roasted eggplant, red onion, sweet pepper salad savoured with fresh garlic, cilantro, parsley, walnuts and pomegranate seeds)
Hot, fresh Khachapuri (Georgia’s most famous cheese pie)
Salata Nigvzit (cucumber, tomatoes and red onions salad with walnut dressing – with a simpler vinegrette option as well)
All to be served with fresh Shoti Puri – bread made in a tone, a traditional Georgian oven
A 3-ALBUM DIGITAL BUNDLE for a donation of $45-$50
An album of ZARI chanting in the Shiomghvime monestary in Mskheta
The live concert recording of GABO’s TRIO from the 2018 Symposium on Traditional Polyphony
A yet-to-be released 2019 recording of ORI SHALVA. These tracks, originally recorded for the TV show Sounds of Canada, produced by the Ethnic Channel, were never fully released! AND includes a bonus track by the beautiful Iremashvili Sisters.
A GENUINE SHEEPSKIN HAT for a donation of $150-$200
These handmade sheepskin hats, from the mountains of Georgia, are beautiful, breathable and really warm. When it’s really cold, wearing one is almost like wearing another jacket. You will literally be armed with the warmth of this hat. They come in an off-white colour (as in the picture), black, or off-white with light brown spots. When you choose this gift, don’t forget to let us know your hat size and preferred colour. For pickup or delivery within reasonable distance from Toronto.
A PRIVATE LESSON with SHALVA for a donation of $100-$125
Shalva Makharashvili has been performing the music of his homeland for over 35 years. Starting with the panduri at the age of 4, and progressing to classical guitar, studying at the Tbilisi Conservatoire. He is a natural at both the panduri and chonguri and has experience teaching online as well as in person. Note: in-person lessons must be within a reasonable distance from Toronto.
PRIVATE CONCERT by ORI SHALVA for a donation of $1000-$1250
Have a special event coming up – a big anniversary, a birthday, a reunion? Consider having Ori Shalva as that something extra to make your dinner or special event unforgettable. Have us sing a few sets or use us more informally or theatrically… Or have us frame your dinner/event in a more traditional Georgian way, with the combination of meaningful, uplifting toasts and powerful, visceral songs.
Have Ori Shalva teach a 2-3 hour workshop for your group of singers. In some shape or form, the members of Ori Shalva have been teaching workshops in Georgian Polyphony for over 22 years! With epxertise teaching online as well as in person.
Note: in-person lessons must be within a reasonable distance from Toronto, though we may consider travelling further to lovely places ;)
Join us at THE SUPRA. SUNDAY SEPT 8, 4:30 PM – 7:30ish PM at the beautiful Teatro Sur Theatre, in Toronto, 1159 Dundas St E Studio 145, at Carlaw. This is a rare chance to experience the exceptional blend of Georgian cuisine, beautiful toasts and powerful songs – performed by Ori Shalva – through a ritual feast called the SUPRA. Includes 2 glasses of wine with a 5-6 course meal, featuring some of the exquisite cuisine of Georgia.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT! Please share with anyone who may be interested
If you are ready to donate, you can do so 2 ways:
Save on processing fees and send your donation via e-transfer to orishalva AT gmail.com. Please include Title of the Thank You Gift in the message box and be sure to send us an email so we have your contact info to send a confirmation receipt and updates.
Donate using Credit Cards via our PAYPAL LINK (which is in Andrea’s name). Note: You do not need to have a paypal account to donate this way. Also note: we will send you a confirmation receipt and updates to the email you used with the paypal payment. Please be sure to enter the correct amount and choose the correct gift from the drop down menu.
Have questions about any of the gifts, donations and/or methods of payment?
This September, for the first time ever, Ori Shalva will return to the homeland of Georgian polyphony, to perform & study with the best traditional Georgian singers in the world!
SAKARTVELO BOUND is a crowdsource funding initiative, where each donation holds so much significance, and unique and thoughtful gifts for those who contribute.
OUR THANK YOU GIFTS ARE POSTED! CHECK THEM OUT HERE
Unfortunately, our original funding fell through and we struggled with the decision of whether we should still go. Given that it’s the first time our whole family will sing and perform in Sakartvelo, we have mustered the courage to embark on this tour!
As you know, travel from Canada to anywhere is expensive. But travelling with a whole family, to a niche location like Georgia is even more challenging! So we have created this fundraiser, SAKARTVELO BOUND, to help with our flight costs (over $8000!) and we welcome any support we can get.
We have lots of heartfelt and unique gifts in exchange for your donations, like:
a seat at an authentic and intimate traditional Georgian feast framed by an elaborate series of toasts punctuated by songs performed by Ori Shalva
music lessons with Shalva (senior)
a personal performance by Ori Shalva
Genuine sheepskin Khevsureti hats
and more!
OUR THANK YOU GIFTS ARE POSTED! CHECK THEM OUT HERE
Since we ourselves are so niche, we will run a grassroots campaign. To make a donation and select your gift/s, we ask you to contact us via email (orishalva AT gmail.com) or through our online form, soon to be posted. And we are excited to update the tally of available gifts and funds raised as we go along.
SONG SCAPING is a four month residency at the Tranzac Club of workshops and performances by Andrea Kuzmich, intersecting traditional vocal polyphony, improvisation, and song. The Tranzac Club is located at 292 Brunswick Ave (just S of Bloor St).
THU JAN 19 7-9 PM COLLIDING WITH KOLIADA
Koliada refers to a Slavic winter carolling tradition, thick in pagan references and gratitude, the practice usually starts in December can continue well into February – singing away those dark and cold winter nights!
7:00-8:15 PM Vocal Workshop learning winter carols 8:30-9:00 PM Performance of Koliada inspired repertoire with a small band AND YOU!!
(Here’s a little audio sample of what you may hear and sing along with)
The workshop will teach 2-3 traditional polyphonic Ukrainian winter carols. The performance then demonstrates how these songs and others are “scaped” into pieces arranged for a small band, consisting of: Andrea Kuzmich on voice & guitar; Alina Kuzma voice; Jaash Singh percussion; Jim Bish tenor sax; Michael Herring on bass; special guests from Kosa Koliadanyky AND YOU!!
SAT FEB 25 5-7 PM UNCONVENTIONAL LOVE
UNCONVENTIONAL LOVE…will feature 2-3 singer/songwriters presenting their original compositions and arrangements that challenge the conventional love ballad, and offer new “scapes” of the love song.
More info to come…
THU MAR 16 7-9 PM SPRINGING CAROLS
Vesninanky are Ukrainian spring carols. Many of these are ritualistic and, with their use of interesting vocal techniques and powerful dissonance, represent some of the most archaic layer of Ukrainian polyphony.
7:00-8:15 PM Vocal Workshop learning Vesnyanky (spring carols) 8:30-9:00 PM Performance of vesnyanky-inspired repertoire with a small band AND YOU!! …….more details to come…
SAT APRIL 22 5-7 PM SCAPING THROUGH TRADITIONAL SONGS
On this last date, the workshop will focus on vocal improvisation, covering some sounding and improv techniques, and how they can be used in rearrangements of traditional polyphonic songs. The performance will feature mostly a capella arrangements of Ukrainian and Georgian songs, including the Sound Stepping Suite, commissioned by Urban Vessel for riverMouth on the Echoes app.
5:00-6:15 PM Vocal Workshop 6:30-7:00 PM Performance with participation from YOU!!
more details to come…
ALL WORKSHOPS AND PERFORMANCES ARE PWYC & TAKE PLACE AT:
THE TRANZAC CLUB, 292 BRUNSWICK AVE (just South of Bloor in Toronto).
Not unlike the needs of so many people & cultures at this time of year, when the weather gets cold and the nights so long, KOLIADA is an occasion to come together, connect, and make the darkened cold season pass quickly trough celebration and song.
With less than 2 weeks left, our Koliada rehearsals are now closed. Over the past 3 weeks we have accumulated a great group of singers but now we now have to fine tune our style and learn the last set of songs.
Starting Dec 27, we are unable to accommodate guests into our rehearsals.
We are, however, still accepting invitations to visit houses for January 7th – so if you would like Kosa Kolektiv’s Koliada carollers to visit your home, please contact kosa.kolektiv@gmail.com.
LOCATION CHANGE: the Belarus Orthodox Church, 524 St Clarens Ave. By donation. Suggested $20-30. Follow the link above to get to the FB event. PLEASE REGISTER VIA kosa.kolektiv@gmail.com.
REHEARSALS!!!
WEDNESADYS 7-9 PM
BELARUS ORTHODOX CHURCH,
524 St Clarens Ave, just over a block north of Bloor and one block east of Lansdowne. Closest TTC is Lansdowne station.
CAROLLING JANUARY 7
The big carolling event is on January 7, Orthodox Christmas. We will be traveling in different groups, by car, visiting homes around the GTA. Make sure to book this day off for koliada!
There will likely be more opportunities to perform in December and January, and possibly additional rehearsals when needed to accommodate the needs of the group and individual singers.
You will find lyrics in Ukrainian, with transliterations, rough translations and audio file references. So, you can start listening and practicing immediately!! Also note that we will be updating the doc and adding more sound files and/or songs.
Some of the audio references even have sing-a-long files. Please use HEADPHONES with the singalong files. The RIGHT CHANNEL features a solo voice and the LEFT CHANNEL all the other voices. To learn, just listen to the RIGHT CHANNEL. To practice, just listen to the LEFT CHANNEL and add your own voice into the mix. Please also be aware, these files are very rough sketches to help learn the song & it’s highly recommended to practice/study from the original sound files as well.
NOTE: it is important that singers are able to sing harmonies and not just the main melody or top voice. The musical director and other seasoned singers will help develop the group’s harmony-singing skills, as well the authentic Ukrainian singing quality known as ridnyj holos. And for those who are not Ukrainian-speaking, don’t worry, we will also help with pronunciation. If you have any questions about your interest and desire to participate, please reach out to us through the contact form below.
OTHERS ROLES
Not a harmony singer but still want to take part? There are other ways you can volunteer. Please reach out to us using the form below.
NOTE: Use HEADPHONES with the singalong files. The RIGHT CHANNEL features a solo voice and the LEFT CHANNEL all the other voices. To learn, just listen to the RIGHT CHANNEL. To practice, just listen to the LEFT CHANNEL and add your own voice into the mix. Please also be aware, these files are very rough sketches to help learn the song & it’s highly recommended to practice/study from the original sound files as well.
SING WITH US!
Thursday June 2 ~ 7:00 – 8:30 PM @ Shevchenko Museum – workshopom
Friday June 3 ~ 7:00 – 8:30 PM @ MusiCamp Garden
Saturday June 4 ~ 2:30 pm & 4:45 pm @ THE DO WEST FEST, the community stage
Saturday Jun 25 ~ early afternoon 1:00 – 2:30 PM @ MusiCamp Garden
Canada Day July 1 ~ 11 am meet at 1879 Bloor Street West / 12 pm performance for Canada Day picnic
OUTDOOR WORKSHOPS are at MusiCamp’s home at 11 Cobourg Ave (just behind Dufferin mall). For outdoor workshops, please remember to bring a sun hat if you need it!
NOTE: we do recommend participants have some experience with singing harmonies.
MORE ABOUT THIS PROJECT
In at attempt to recognize the breadth of Ukrainian culture, this project is a hopeful start to popularize traditional Ukrainian songs and create a larger caring singing community of Ukrainian songs in Toronto. Check out our workshops dates below. Wondering what we’ll be learning, have a look at our song document and listen the embedded links for each song.
The project is an extension of Sing with Ukraine, which is a grassroots effort by Toronto-based Eastern European artists, started after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on Feb 24th 2022. Click the links to learn more about Sing with Ukraine and Artists With Ukraine.
Ukrainian Village Dance workshop Featuring Live Music!
2:30 & 4:45 pm Sing With Ukraine.
Come to our workshops – 7pm Thursdays May 26/Jun 2 at Shevchenko Museum (on Bloor just west of Dundas West); and Saturday 10:30 am May 28 at MusiCamp’s backyard. Or join along in our sing-a-long sections on June 4. Click here for more info and to have a listen to and even learn some songs. And more about Sing With Ukraine here.
2:45 pm Dance performance.
4:00 pm Dance Workshop:
Dancing In All Directions Dance Workshop – blending urban & indigenous dance movements to connect mind, body, spirit & emotion.
Fine tune your moves with a lead-up workshop at Lula Lounge Monday May 30 7-8 pm.
3:00 pm West African Drum Workshop:
With Master Drummer Amadou Kienou!! We’ll have drums but feel free to bring your own. Last time someone joined in from their balcony in the neighbouring apartment building!
MusiCamp 