Brooklyn's Soapbox Gallery Hosts Ukraine Freedom! Concerts

Being held from August 28-30, 2022, the Ukraine Freedom! celebration will take place at the Soapbox Gallery, in Brooklyn, NY.

All proceeds of the event will be donated to Razom for Ukraine.

The three days will feature over 20 artists — including Julian Kytasty, the preeminent practitioner of the Ukrainian kobzar tradition in North America, pianist Pavlo Gintov, and Canadian violinist Lara St. John, jazz pianist Anthony Coleman, trumpeter Frank London, and drummer Rob Garcia.

Curated by Alex Pryrodny, the concerts will also feature video contributions from musicians who are currently in Ukraine and electro-acoustic works by living Ukrainian composers. For more information and tickets, click here.

“This cause is urgent and paramount - Ukraine is standing bravely between the world and a potential great war, at a huge cost to themselves,” violinist Lara St John, who has donated her entire performance fee plus made a sizable personal donation to Razom for Ukraine, today told The Violin Channel.

“I urge everyone to help Ukraine continue defending itself, its culture and its civilians against these horrific war crimes,” she said.

The opening night on Thursday, April 28, from 7-9 PM will be focused on "Reaction." It will showcase a range of musical responses to this war and the ones before it, asking the questions: "How can we react to the violence inflicted on the innocents? How can music react?"

Artists include:

• Julian Kytasty (Ukrainian bandura)
• Pavlo Gintov (piano)
• Valeriya Sholokhova (cello and electronics)
• Veronica Kaninska (soprano) & Nataliya Medvedovskaya (piano)
• Alex Pryrodny (piano) & Peter Slavov (bass)
• Denis Savelyev and Radoslawa Jasik
• Video entries from Ukraine

The second concert on Friday, April 29, from 7-9 PM will center around "Rethinking." It will explore the music of lesser-known Ukrainian composers, forbidden folk poets, and creative reinterpretations of the past.

Artists include:

• Lara St. John (violin) & Alex Pryrodny (piano)
• Julian Kytasty with Yara Arts Group
• Pavlo Gintov (piano)
• Denis Savelyev (flute) & Radoslawa Jasik (piano)

The last concert on Saturday, April 30, from 7-9 PM will highlight the concept of "Reimagining." The night will feature unexpected collaborations, original music, and improvisations, all in the hopes of a peaceful future.

Artists include:

• Hanna Golodinskii (soprano) with Pavlo Gintov
• Andy Didorenko (violin) & Yuliya Basis (piano)
• So Brown (singer-songwriter)
• Alex Pryrodny (piano) & Kevork Mourad (live-painting
• David Berkman (piano)
• Frank London (trumpet)
• Anthony Coleman (piano)
• Rob Garcia (drums)
• Modern Ukrainian composers