On June 5th, 2016, HORA held the 3rd Awards Gala, HORA’s signature event. Everybody has been waiting with anticipation our Gala, and once again, we did not disappoint!
The evening started with a cocktail hour, where we welcomed our patrons with champagne glasses, hors d’oeuvres, music and images from Romania’s of the ‘30th. A wonderful atmosphere where we met old friends and made new ones. The evening continued with a delightful dinner and inspired entertainment by soprano Diana Stoic, and pianist and composer Codrut Barsan. Later in the evening we sang along and danced to the music of the band Sambra Oilor, who’s soloist Natalie Nowitski delighted us with the sound of Romanian popular music.
Gala is also an opportunity to gather support for HORA’s key projects. This year the focus was on “Building a Proud Legacy Together”- Documenting Romanian Immigration to Minnesota during Communism. We are extremely grateful to our supporters who donated over $15,000 in support of our second documentary on the Romanian Immigration to Minnesota.
Program
- Cocktail Hour – With Champagne and Hors d ’Oeuvres, on music from the Bucharest of the ‘30s. The Ciprian Porumbescu Choir
- Three-course sit-down dinner – With a selection of red and white wines. We Are HORA! – Short Updates
- Codrut Barsan & Diana Stoic – Renowned Romanian musician & Soprano will entertain us with a potpourri of unforgettable music from Romanian and international composers
- Building a Proud Legacy Together! – Romanian Immigration Documentary Pledge Drive
- 2016 HORA Awards Ceremony
- The “Sambra Oilor” Ensemble – With a Surprise Dance Performance
- Dance the night away! – DJ Music
Award Winners
As always, the highlight of the evening was the HORA Awards Ceremony. This year’s award winners were Don LaCourse, and Pasha Bortnova.
Don LaCourse received the 2014 “Monica O’Kane” Award for Community Service, for his relentless work as the driving force behind the Ethnic Dance Theatre, where he serves as artistic director, lead dancer, choreographer, cultural researcher, and costume designer. For over 40 years, the Ethnic Dance Theater made it their mission to foster understanding and awareness of world cultures through the re-creation and presentation of traditional ethnic dance and music. EDT included many Romanian dances in their repertoire.
Pasha Bortnova received the 2014 “Ilie Motu” Award for Community Service, for the passion and persistence of growing her children in the Romanian culture and language, and for the tremendous support she and her family have given to our community over the years.
Gala Photographs
