John Kuo, the leader of the Chicago-based ensemble Balkan Dances, and his wife Galia Kuo, a professionally-trained folk dancer in Bulgaria, will give a demonstration and lecture Balkan Music Rhythms, focusing especially on dance rhythms. Balkan music is most known for its uneven beats, such as 7/8. John and Galia demonstrate the unique musical rhythms of different areas in the Balkans and teach the audience how to recognize, count, and understand them. Many have said that the lecture taught them to think about uneven beats in new ways. John Kuo will bring hand-made instruments from the region from masters who are no longer working, he will play music and show videos. There will be CD prizes.

Lecture at 12:30PM, workshop at 1:30PM, and performance at 3PM.

John Kuo’s 2009 lecture is available for viewing on CHIASMOS.

This event is free and open to the public.  Presented by the Global Voices Performing Arts Series at International House.