Category Archives: Uncategorized
THE SUPRA
A rare chance to experience the exceptional blend of Georgian cuisine, beautiful toasts and powerful songs…
SUNDAY SEPT 8, 4:30 PM – 7:30ish PM
$150-$200 donation, Limited seating (max 15)
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
- 2 glasses of wine
- dessert of some kind – still to be determined
- Traditional toasting
- Lots of songs
THANK YOU GIFTS for helping send Ori Shalva to Georgia
To learn more about our fundraiser visit
SAKARTVELO BOUND
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.
17 out of 20 available
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.
2 out 4 available
A 5-ALBUM BUNDLE for a donation of $70-$100
- Includes the 3-Album Digital Bundle from above
- ZARI’s first CD, recorded by the award winning Jeremy Darby at Canterberry Studios in Toronto.
- DIDGORI’s first CD
We’ll send you the physical copies of these CDs and also make them available for download in MP3 format (and the artwork in PNG format).
19 out of 20 available
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.
2 available
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.
2 available
STUDY with ORI SHALVA for a donation of $350-$500
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 ;)
4 available
THE SUPRA for a donation of $150-$200
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.
0 out of 15 seats available.
Learn a little bit more about the supra and our menu here. But alo check out famous international chef Jamie Oliver’s promo piece on the Georgian Supra.
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?
SONG SCAPING RESIDENCY
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).
COVID 19 and MusiCamp
Protect yourself: wash your spirit with music, often…
It is without doubt that the performing arts are charting untrodden territory in the COVID-era. Compared to many arts organizations and innovative artists, MusiCamp has been a bit slow in response to the epidemic. Clearly, we can no longer offer our adult workshops, summer kids’ camps or facilitate other music events.
It was a sad day for us when the Dundas West Festival was postponed and we wouldn’t be able to present the incredibly diverse musical youth in our community at the MusiCamp Youth Stage. It was particularly sad because I, as an artist in residence at Dewson Public School, had been working with a group of rather talented grade 5 and 6 youth, and was inadvertently mobilizing a body percussion troupe that were creative, energized and excited to be part of the Dundas West Fest. But while we at MusiCamp were slow and careful to react, we soon found ourselves involved in different musical activities and are happy to share some updates with you.
But most importantly we want to reach out and encourage you to process all the changes of the COVID-era in your own time and space, and, if you feel like it, to be creative. Music and the other arts have such powerful healing qualities and are essential to any and all social groupings. But in this time in particular, creative work can help slow down the busy and stressed brain, help refocus on the moment, and empower you in unspeakable ways. So please, stay healthy and safe… and wash your spirit often with music, dance, drawing, film making, painting, body percussion, cooking, baking, writing, or whatever else your heart implores.
UPDATES
ONLINE SINGING WORKSHOPS?!?
We believe we have made it work. Follow this link to see videos and understand how we teach harmonized singing online.
ONLINE BODY PERCUSSION BODY MUSIC WORKSHOPS
A fun, physically active, movement and rhythm workshop, and a great workout for the brain. Beginner/intermediate level. Follow this link to learn more, see videos, and/or register.
VIRTUAL SUMMER CAMP FOR KIDS (8-14 yrs)
AUGUST 17-22 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Each day offers 3 workshops: BODY PERCUSSION, EXPLORING SONGS, and COMPOSITION & SONGWRITING. Sign your kid up for all 3 or for individual workshops. (Note for some workshops, the class size is limited.)
Click here to register or learn more.
While we aren’t streaming our own musical performances – we’re leaving that to the experts to ensure excellent audio, video and connectivity – we have joined Virtual Private Concerts online. So if you have a special event coming up – an anniversary, birthday, or simply a need to connect – you can hire a musician for a private virtual event. Check it out at Virtual Concerts Online.
ORI SHALVA PERFORMS in URGNT’s ONLINE FESTIVAL
Ori Shalva, our family ensemble, will be a part of this incredibly diverse and exciting online festival of musician from across Ontario! With Juno award winning names like the Gryphon Trio, Lila Biali and too many others to name. Visit our post to learn more.
Instructions for Online Workshop
Thanks for registering for our online workshop! It’s exciting for us to try and offer singing workshops online. That being said, please bear in mind there may be technical challenges in these early days of adapting to online teaching. I have tried as best I can to provide instructions below. Please feel free to reach out (MusiCampTO@gmail.com) in case you have any questions or run into any complications.
The link for the ZOOM meeting is: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/73656989471?pwd=TUIxcldpKzY2aEJUZ1N6YVF6SzkzUT09
THERE ARE 4 THINGS YOU SHOULD REVIEW BEFORE THE SESSION
1) INSTALLING ZOOM (see below)
2) HOW TO ENTER A MEETING WITH ZOOM (see below)
3) SET UP YOUR MICROPHONE (see below)
4) USE A HEADSET – we recommend you use one, even earbuds or earphones will be better than none.
PLEASE NOTE: We are using a free ZOOM account, which limits the time length of the meeting to 40 minutes. This means, we will run 3 meetings, using the same link, to run a 2 hour workshop. run So please be prepared to log in with the meeting again – same link as above.
1) WE RECOMMEND YOU INSTALL ZOOM FOR THE MEETINGS.
First go to https://www.zoom.us/download and download ZOOM. Once the download is complete click the file (either an .exe or .dmg) and follow the instructions for installing.
2) ENTERING A MEETING WITH ZOOM:
When you click on the meeting link I have provided below, a new browser window will open.
A pop down box will ask if you want to open ZOOM.US – click OK.
ZOOM will open and ask you to JOIN WITH COMPUTER AUDIO, click OK!
Now you are in the waiting room of the meeting. As long as I recognize your email and/or user name, I will let you in. Once in, you can open your camera by clicking the small camera icon at the bottom left of the screen.
3) SET UP YOUR MIC FOR MUSIC RATHER THAN TALKING.
i) Click on the small upward arrow next to the microphone icon (bottom left of the screen). A menu pops up.
ii) At the bottom of this menu click AUDIO SETTINGS. A window pops up. At the bottom right of this window, click ADVANCED.
iii) Click the “Show in-meeting option to “Enable Original Sound” from microphone; click DISABLE for the first 2 lines in the box (Suppress Persistent Background Noise and Suppress Intermittent Background Noise.
Winter Georgian Singing Workshop
Happy New Year!!
We hope to have the opportunity to cozy up with you in our studio and blend our voices into a warm harmony that will help pass the winter away.
Under the direction of Shalva Makharashvili and Andrea Kuzmich, MusiCamp will be hosting another Georgian singing workshop, starting sometime in mid-February 2020. The date is still to be determined but it will run in the evenings (7-9 PM), once a week, at the MusiCamp studio for 6 weeks. You can learn more of past workshops by visiting www.MusiCampTO.com/georgianworkshop or feel free to contact us. Look to the side if you’re on a PC or scroll down on your phone to view some videos of past workshops.
And remember to check back soon for updates on the dates!
WINTER GEORGIAN SINGING WORKSHOP
Starting Mid February, day still to be determined, 7-9 PM
for 6 weeks at the MusiCamp studio
$250 for new participants; $200 for repeat students
Feel free to reach out to our contact page if you have any questions
Didgori in Toronto
DIDGORI tickets on sale today, June 7, at the door. CASH ONLY. Students/Seniors must bring ID. Doors Open 7:30 PM
MusiCamp in partnership with Clay & Paper Theatre and Folk Camp Canada presents:
DIDGORI IN TORONTO
Friday June 7 2019 8 PM
THE CONCERT
at Jeanne Lamon Hall, Trinity St Paul’s Centre 427 Bloor St West
$30/$15 student
TICKETS GO ON SALE START OF MAY
Saturday June 8 2019 5-7pm
OPEN WORKSHOP
St Vladimir Institute ( 620 Spadina Ave, just S of Harbord)
$25 at the door (strongly suggested but no one will be turned away)
Sunday June 9 2019 11-4pm
WORKSHOP INTENSIVE
advanced singers, limited to 12 participants at MusiCamp Studio, Toronto $100 contact MusiCamp to register
Didgori in Toronto Press Release
For more information about Didgori, for audio/video, or to learn of other performances as part of their Canada tour, visit Didgori in Canada.
Didgori in Toronto
MusiCamp in partnership with Clay & Paper Theatre and Folk Camp Canada presents:
DIDGORI IN TORONTO
Friday June 7 2019 8 PM
THE CONCERT
at Jeanne Lamon Hall, Trinity St Paul’s Centre 427 Bloor St West
$30/$15 student
TICKETS GO ON SALE START OF MAY
Saturday June 8 2019 5-7pm
OPEN WORKSHOP
St Vladimir Institute ( 620 Spadina Ave, just S of Harbord)
$25 at the door (strongly suggested but no one will be turned away)
Sunday June 9 2019 11-4pm
WORKSHOP INTENSIVE
advanced singers, limited to 12 participants at MusiCamp Studio, Toronto $100 contact MusiCamp to register
Didgori in Toronto Press Release
For more information about Didgori, for audio/video, or to learn of other performances as part of their Canada tour, visit Didgori in Canada.
Dundas West Festival 2017 in Review
It’s time to start thinking of summer and I’m remembering the great time we had at the Dundas West Fest last year! The 2017 line up can be viewed here. And mark the date: this year’s festival will be Saturday June 2!
Gabo got the crowd smiling singing “Cheap Thrills”
Songstress Rebekah Wise is joined by friend Ruby to perform original tunes at the MusiCamp stage 2017
We covered everything – here traditional Georgian polyphony!
Songstress and award winning singer Sophia Hong wowed the audience!
Crowds gathered to see and hear the talented youth of our Dundas West community
A real bass or a bucket bass? MusiCamp had diddley bows and buckets basses for kids to try out! Instrument making is part of the programming at our summer camps.
Rockers 321 Sleep at the DuWest Fest MusiCamp Stage
MusiCamp 