The Russian New Year, based on the old Julian Calendar still followed by the Russian Orthodox Church, takes place this Saturday, January 14. For most who can follow Cyrillic script, this isn’t an either/or date, but an excuse to eat, dance and drink a lot for a second time in two weeks.
Locally, the burst of Slavic energy known as Mourka will be joined by the Russian Folk Instrument Ensemble for an evening of high-spirited St. Petersburg cabaret songs sung and foot-stomping, dancing and hand-clapping instrumentals at the Rosendale Café. It’s expected that the menu will include blintzes, a spot of caviar or two and probably a host of toasts – but hopefully not that glass-smashing stuff that some of us remember from the movies.
Born Margarita Meyendorff to a White Russian family with royal-family roots from the salad days before the Bolshevik Revolution, Mourka has performed as an actress around the region, teaches Russian, French and English as a Second Language and put together her Russian music band over a decade ago to spread the cheer of her family homeland.
Be prepared for fun and a late evening. “Old New Year,” they call it. Go! The Rosendale Café is located at 434 Main Street in Rosendale. For further information call (845) 658-9048 or visit www.rosendalecafe.com.
Join the family! 
