Bulgarika Returns to Humboldt!

 Bulgarika delivers a wealth of traditional Bulgarian folk music, singing haunting melodies accompanied by unique and rare instruments. The band is on tour throughout the United States in October of 2025.

Donka Koleva is an award winning vocalist. She graduated from the Musical Folklore High School in Shiroka Luka, Bulgaria. She has been a featured soloist on Bulgarian Radio and Television. Since emigrating to the U.S. in 1995, Donka and her husband Nikolay Kolev have played an active role in fostering Bulgarian music across the country.

Nikolay Kolev is a master instrumentalist, arranger and composer. He plays the gadulka, a Bulgarian rebec. It is a bowed vertical viol with up to a dozen sympathetic strings.

Stoyan Kostov is an expert on the eight-stringed long-necked lute called the tambura. Kostov is a 50-year veteran tambura player and has been the lead instructor for camps and workshops internationally.

Anton Shekerjiev plays the gaida (Bulgarian bagpipe) and tupan (large drum). He is joining Bulgarika for the first time.

During their visit to Arcata and Eureka, October 13-15, the band’s schedule is as follows:

Monday, October 13, 2025

   Concert and Dance Party at Synapsis, 1675 Union Street, Eureka, CA starting at 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, October 15, 2025

   Public singing workshop with instrumental accompaniment at Redwood Raks Collective, 824 L Street, Arcata, from 4:30 p.m. – 6 p.m. No previous experience is necessary and all instruments are welcome. 

Private lessons for individuals and small groups are available for voice, gadulka, tambura, gaida and tupan. For more information, please contact Craig Kurumada at (707)496-6734.