Maspindzeli

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Upcoming Events

Cholmeley Choral Society

Saturday 7 December 2024, 7:30pm

All Saints Church, Talbot Road, Highgate N6 4QH.

Maspindzeli are guests at this performance, more details to follow.

Tickets: £12, £8 concessions.

Choirs for Change – Take Five

Sunday 8 December 2024, 3–4pm

Highbury & Islington Underground Station.

We will sing Christmas Alilos in the station, collecting donations for Health Poverty Action.

Choirs for Change – Take Six

Sunday 15 December 2024, 3–4pm

Piccadilly Circus Underground Station.

We will sing Christmas Alilos in the station, collecting donations for Health Poverty Action.



Past Events

Conference: Georgian Traditional Music in the UK

Friday 18 October 2024, St. Antony's College, University of Oxford

We performed at this conference, convened by Dr Teona Lomsadze, as part of the university's Georgian Programme.

British Georgian Society 20th Anniversary Reception

Wednesday 2nd October 2024

Ciné Lumière, 17 Queensberry Place, London SW7 2DW.

We performed at this celebratory reception, which also marked our own 25th anniversary!

Twelfth International Symposium on Traditional Polyphony

25–28 September 2024, Tbilisi State Conservatoire

The choir took part in the twelfth symposium.

Wed 25 September, 19:30 – Opening Gala Concert

Thu 26 September, 15:00 – Afternoon Concert, along with Amer-Imeri (Georgia), Alilo (France) and Ori Shalva (Canada)

Galaktion Tabidze International Festival "Georgians and the Sea"

7–11 September 2024, Batumi, Georgia

A trio of singers represented Maspindzeli at this new festival of poetry and the arts.

More information...

Mid Summer Fair

Saturday 29 June 2024, 2–6pm

All Saints Church, Talbot Road, Highgate N6 4QH.

BBQ, local craft stalls, face painting, bouncy castle, live music, including from Maspindzeli.

Folk in the Orchard

Friday 21 – Sunday 23 June 2024

Sainthill Lane, Churcham, Gloucestershire GL2 8AJ.

Maspindzeli returned to this laid back gathering of the folk community, with a performance on Saturday 22 June at 18:45.

Visit Facebook for more details of the festival.

Wild Story and Cool Harmony Show

Sunday 16 June 2024, 7:30–8:30pm

Holy Trinity Church, 79 Medfield Street, Roehampton, London SW15 4JY.

Dawn Ellis tells a gripping tale from the Caucasus, woven into some songs by Maspindzeli.

Visit Wandsworth Fringe for more information and tickets.

Welcome Summer Concert — with Slavic Voices and Maspindzeli

Monday 6 May 2024, 4–6pm

Spiegeltent, Old Steine Gardens, Brighton, BN1 1EH.

We headed to Brighton's Spiegeltent for a Bank Holiday rematch with the wonderful Slavic Voices.

Welcome Spring Concert — with Slavic Voices and Maspindzeli

Sunday 25 February 2024, 3–5pm

St Mary's Church, Elsworthy Road, Primrose Hill NW3 3DJ.

We were thrilled to perform a joint concert with Slavic Voices, whose repertoire spans the Slavic world.



Choirs for Change – Take Four

Sunday 17 December 2023, 12–1pm

Waterloo Station.

We sang Christmas Alilos in the station, collecting donations for Health Poverty Action.

Choirs for Change – Take Three

Friday 1 December 2023, 6–7pm

Baker Street Underground Station.

We sang for Health Poverty Action.

Sakartvelo – International Folk Festival

18-22 September 2023

We and four other European choirs, all singers of Georgian folk songs, took part in concerts in Georgia, alongside seven native Georgian choirs.

The choirs are: Sakartvelo (Netherands), D'Altrocanto Duo (Italy), Mezoblebi (Belgium), Maspindzeli (UK), Tevri (Finland), Basiani, Didgori, Ialoni, Margaliti, Adilei, Lalkhor and Shilda (all Georgia).

Tuesday 19 September, 19:00, Akhaltsikhe Castle

Thursday 21 September, 19:30, Tbilisi State Conservatoire

Friday 22 September, 19:00, Folklore Centre Concert Hall

St Martin-in-the-Fields

Friday 14 July, 1-2pm

St Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 4JJ.

We performed a lunchtime concert at this special venue. More details here...

Folk in the Orchard

Friday 30 June – Sunday 2 July 2023

Churcham, Gloucestershire.

A Celebration of Georgian Music and Poetry

Friday 5 May 2023, 7-9pm

St Ethelburga's, 78 Bishopsgate, London EC2N 4AG.

We sang to launch an evening of Georgian music, wine and poetry.

Georgian Evening at the Athenaeum Club

Wednesday 29 March 2023

The Athenaeum Club, 107 Pall Mall, London SW1Y 5ER.

We performed as part of an evening of Georgian wine, food and song.



Islington Folk Club

Thursday 22 December 2022, 8pm

Brewhouse & Kitchen, 2a Corsica Street, Highbury N5 1JJ.

We dropped in and sang a couple of songs for the folk club's Christmas party.

Choirs for Change – Take Two

Thursday 22 December 2022, 7–8pm

Highbury & Islington Underground Station.

We sang Christmas Alilos in the station, collecting donations for Health Poverty Action.

Maspindzeli Xmas Supra Party

Saturday 17 December 2022, 7:00–10:00pm

All Saints Church, Talbot Road, Highgate N6 4QH.

We celebrated our annual Xmas supra party in the church hall.

Choirs for Change – Take One

Thursday 8 December 2022, 6–7pm

Bond Street Underground Station.

We sang Christmas Alilos in the station, collecting donations for Health Poverty Action.

Folk in the Orchard

Saturday 27 August 2022

Churcham, Gloucestershire.



Book Launch at Wigmore Hall

Friday 15 October 2021, 1pm

Wigmore Hall, 36 Wigmore Street, London W1U 2BP. (map)

We performed a brief set as part of the launch of Michael Church's new book, Musics Lost and Found.

Ukrainian Independence 30th anniversary concert

Sunday 26 September 2021, 3pm

Ukrainian Community Centre, 154 Holland Park Avenue, London W11 4UH. (map)

We performed amongst many other choirs, musicians, dancers and more.

Magpie's Nest Festival

Saturday 5 June 2021, 3–11pm

Master Shipwright's Palace, Watergate Street, London SE8 3JF. (map)

We were delighted to take part in this festival, our first live performance since the start of the pandemic.



International Georgian Choirs Concert

Saturday 24 October 2020

Transcending Coronavirus restrictions, we took part in a virtual concert of international Georgian choirs, as part of the Tenth Anniversary International Symposium on Traditional Polyphony.



Maspindzeli Xmas Supra Party

Saturday 14 December 2019, 7:00–10:00pm

All Saints Church, Talbot Road, Highgate N6 4QH.

Our annual Xmas supra party took place in the church hall.

Advent Fair

Saturday 30 November 2019, 10am–4pm, free

All Saints Church, Talbot Road, Highgate N6 4QH.

Maspindzeli was one of five choirs performing throughout the day.

20th Anniversary Gathering

Saturday 26 October 2019

All Saints Church, Talbot Road, Highgate N6 4QH.

We were joined by special guest Helen Chadwick, who founded the choir 20 years ago, and several singers who had sung with her at that time,
and we sang some of the original songs, from scores written by Edisher Garakanidze and Jospeh Jordania. We ended the day with a celebratory supra.

Polikarpe Khubulava International Festival of Megrelian Folklore

Tuesday 16 July 2019

Anaklia, Georgia.

A quartet from Maspindzeli performed at this festival on the site of Anaklia's 17th century fortress.

Summer Song Festival with Katie Melua

Saturday 15 June 2019

St John's Church, Lansdowne Crescent, Notting Hill Gate, London W11 2NN.

We joined performers at this festival, which featured pupils of the Georgian School, dance group Pesvebi, and special guest Katie Melua.

20th Anniversary Concert

Saturday 13 April 2019, 7:30pm

All Saints Church, Talbot Road, Highgate N6 4QH.

Maspindzeli performed a selection of repertoire from over the 20 years of our singing together. The concert and our anniversary were covered on Georgian TV news.

UCL Georgia Society – Welcome to Georgia!

Monday 18 March 2019, 7pm

UCL Roberts Building, Torrington Place, London WC1E 6BT.

Maspindzeli sang at this relaunch event of the UCL Georgian Society.

Unveiling Vazha Pshavela

Friday 1 March 2019, 6:45pm

Asia House, 63 New Cavendish Street, London W1G 7LP.

A trio from Maspindzeli performed at this event exploring the influence of the Georgian poet Vazha Pshavela.



Maspindzeli Xmas Supra Feast

Saturday 15 December 2018, 7:00–10:00pm

All Saints Church, Talbot Road, Highgate N6 4QH.

We ended the year with a celebratory Xmas supra feast, much toasting and Georgian songfulness.

Summer Song Festival

Saturday 14 July 2018

St John's Church, Lansdowne Crescent, Notting Hill Gate, London W11 2NN.

We joined performers at this festival, which featured pupils of the Georgian School, dance group Pesvebi, and special guest Katie Melua.

Vanessa Winship: And Time Folds

Thursday 5 July 2018, 7pm, £13.50 – exhibition entry price

Barbican Art Gallery, Level 3, Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London EC2Y 8DS.

To accompany the exhibition Vanessa Winship: And Time Folds, we were invited to sing in the gallery space in response to particular photographs in Vanessa Winship's series Georgia: Seeds Carried by the Wind.

Georgian Independence Day Reception

Tuesday 22 May 2018

Lansdowne Club, 9 Fitzmaurice Place, London W1J 5JD.

Maspindzeli were among the performers at this centenary reception, organized by the Embassy of Georgia.

Ensemble Ialoni : Concert and Workshop

Saturday 7 April 2018

All Saints Church, Talbot Road, Highgate N6 4QH.

We were thrilled to host the first London concert of Ensemble Ialoni, awarded Best Women's Ensemble at the 2016 Georgian National Festival of Folklore.
Five members made a special visit from Georgia, including their remarkable leader, Nino Naneishvili.

Singing Ourselves: A Voice Workshop with Frank Kane

Friday 13 – Sunday 15 April 2018

London Shambhala Meditation Centre, 27 Belmont Close, London SW4 6AY.

Frank Kane has developed a unique method for working with the voice that can have a powerful impact on everyone from first-time to experienced singers. His 30-year study of embodied resonance and vibration in Georgian traditional singing, along with his background in body work practices, have led him to a teaching approach that is kind, playful, transformative and insightful.

This workshop included learning selected Georgian songs and exploring vocal exercises for the purpose of gaining a deeper and more enriching experience of our voices and ourselves.

Pesvebi London Georgian Dance Group

Saturday 10 February 2018, 6pm (doors open 5pm), £15

Rudolf Steiner House, 35 Park Road, London NW1 6XT.

Pesvebi London presented their third annual show, with Georgian traditional dances and popular songs from Georgian films.

The show included a guest performance by Maspindzeli.

London Georgian Church Choir : Concert and Presentation

Sunday 14 January 2018, 2–4pm, £10

St John's, Hyde Park Crescent, London W2 2QD.

This was the first full concert by The London Georgian Church Choir,
with guest performances by members of Sakhioba from Georgia and Maspindzeli from London.

During the concert there was a presentation about an initiative to establish a Research Centre for Georgian Traditional Folk Music.



Winter Solstice Family Fun Day

Sunday 17 December 2017, 11am–5pm

Hornbeam Learning Lodge, Pimp Hall Nature Reserve, off Kings Road, London E4 7HR.

As part of this family activity day, we sang to a very attentive group of children and their parents, and were rewarded with home made mince pies.

Maspindzeli Xmas Supra Party

Saturday 16 December 2017, 6:30–10:00pm

All Saints Church, Talbot Road, Highgate N6 4QH.

After our final rehearsal of the year, we celebrated in the church hall with an Xmas supra party.

Tbilisoba

Sunday 22 October 2017, 1–6pm

Georgian Orthodox Church, Rookwood Road, London N16 6SS.

We performed a brief set at this festival, as did the Georgian church choir.

FolkEast Festival

Friday 18 – Sunday 20 August 2017

Church of St Andrew, Church Road, Little Glemham, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP13 0BH.

We and our sister choir Chela hosted various Georgian musical events in St Andrew's Church as part of FolkEast:

Saturday 11:00–12:30 Maspindzeli singing workshop
Saturday 13:45–14:45 Chela performance
Sunday 11:00–12:30 Chela singing workshop
Sunday 19:15–20:15 Maspindzeli performance

British Georgian Society Annual Charity Festival

Sunday 25 June 2017, 2–8pm

Outside Tamada Restaurant, 122 Boundary Road, London NW8 0RH.

We returned this year to perform at the street festival.

Georgian singing workshop with Nino Naneishvili

Saturday 20 May 2017, 2–6pm

All Saints Church, Talbot Road, Highgate, London N6 4QH.

Nino Naneishvili is the director of Ensemble Ialoni, who won first prize for women's ensembles at the 2016 Georgian National Festival of Folklore.
She is also a researcher and performer, and teaches traditional Georgian folk and church music at the University of Georgian Church Music in Tbilisi.

Georgian singing workshop with Malkhaz Erkvanidze

Wednesday 3 May 2017, 4–6pm, 7–9pm

Private residence in Highgate

Malkhaz Erkvanidze is a key figure in the folk and sacred music revival in Georgia.
In 1988, he formed the ensemble Anchiskhati, a remarkable group dedicated to nearly-forgotten folk and chant traditions of pre-Communist Georgia.
Malkhaz is currently director of the renowned ensemble Sakhioba.



Winter Choirs

Thursday 15 December 2016, 18:30–18:55, Free

Riverside Terrace Cafe, Level 2, Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, London SE1 8XX.

We performed a 25 minute, Xmas-themed set in the cafe, as part of the Winter Choirs season.

World Choirs Festival

Thursday 8 December 2016, 19:00–20:00, Free

Eros Statue, Piccadilly Circus, London

We sang from an open stage around the Eros Statue, the eighth of 24 world choirs performing throughout December.

Tbilisoba

Sunday 23 October 2016, 1–6pm

Georgian Orthodox Cathedral Church of the Nativity, Rookwood Road, London N16 6SS.

We performed a brief set at this festival, celebrating the culture of Georgia's capital, Tbilisi.
The event included performances by the Georgian church choirs of London and Dublin.

British Georgian Society Annual Charity Festival

Sunday 26 June 2016, 2–9pm

Outside Tamada Restaurant, 122 Boundary Road, London NW8 0RH.

A small group of us performed at this street festival.

Georgian singing workshop with Nana Mzhavanadze

Saturday 18 June 2016, 2–6pm

All Saints Church, Talbot Road, Highgate, London N6 4QH.

Nana, from a long line of Georgian songmasters, is an experienced and sympathetic teacher, in much demand here and abroad.
Her gentle way of teaching makes it easy to find a way into these polyphonic harmonies, giving a window into an ancient and active singing tradition.

Georgian singing workshop with Malkhaz Erkvanidze

Saturday 25 June 2016, 2–6pm

St Mary Magdalene Church, Rowington Close, Paddington, London W2 5TF.

Folk Roots of Europe

Saturday 11 June 2016, 7:30pm

Ukrainian Cathedral, Duke Street, London W1K 5BQ.

We sang as part of a programme including music by Grieg, Dvorak, Brahms, Beriot, Vaughan Williams, Skalkottas and Sirenko,
performed by the Music of the Spheres Ensemble (solo violinist Orpheus Papafilippou) and special guest violist Andriy Viytovych.

Cafe Noor, Brighton

Saturday 14 May 2016, 7:30–10:00pm

32 Egremont Place, Brighton BN2 0GA.

We performed to accompany a Georgian feast at Cafe Noor.

Nino Naneishvili

13–20 February 2016

Nino ran several songs workshops and gave a talk about three singing tradition holders in Georgia.



Broadcasting House

Sunday 27 December 2015, 9am–10am

We performed live during the programme Broadcasting House on BBC Radio 4.
You can hear our contributions here.

Winter Showcase at the Southbank Centre

Sunday 13 December 2015, 1pm, Free

Mandela Statue, Southbank Centre, London SE1 8XX.

We performed as part of the Winter Showcases.

Nino Naneishvili

23, 24, 25 October 2015

Nino taught songs and dances and introduced a DVD of Ialoni in concert : "From Sunrise to Sunset" (April 2015, 70 mins).
The concert included chants and songs performed to mark events from birth to death in different regions of Georgia since ancient times.

Age UK Health Fair

Friday 2 October 2015, 2:30pm

Kensington Town Hall, Hornton St, London W8 7NX.

We performed at the Kensington & Chelsea Age UK Health Fair.

Georgian Folk Evening at Steiner House

Saturday 17 January 2015, 6pm

Rudolph Steiner House, 35 Park Road, London NW1 6XT.

This concert featured Maspindzeli and the Georgian children's dance group Pesvebi, with other special guests.



Tinsel and Tails Christmas Evening

Tuesday 16 December 2014, 6:30pm

St Paul's Church, Queen Caroline Street, Hammersmith, London W6 9PJ.

We sang a brief set, to our largest canine audience ever, at this festive fundraiser for The Mayhew Animal Home.

Zorka Wollny and Maspindzeli

Thursday 11 December 2014, 7pm

Institute of Contemporary Arts, The Mall, London SW1Y 5AH.

For this event, part of the ICA's Foreignness of Sound series, Polish artist Zorka Wollny collaborated with Maspindzeli on a musical composition and live acoustic performance that explored the relationship between language, sound and communication using a combination of polyphonic singing, folk repertoire, intonations, accents, pitch and modulations.

Our piece was preceded by a performance lecture entitled The Tranny Tease, by the art collective Slavs and Tatars.

More information...

Georgian Evening with Mayhew International

Friday 24 October 2014, 7pm–10pm

Burgh House, New End Square, Hampstead, London NW3 1LT.

Maspindzeli performed at a Georgian themed evening for Mayhew International, which celebrated their recent animal welfare work in Georgia and elsewhere.

There was a presentation about their work; there was Georgian wine and khachapuri; there was also some lovely dancing by the Georgian children's dance group.

Georgian Singing Workshop with Malkhaz Erkvanidze

Saturday 1 March 2014

SOAS, University of London, Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square, London WC1H 0XG.

Morning: 10:00–12:00. Afternoon: 13:00–16:00.

All Saints Church, Highgate

Saturday 1 February 2014, 7pm

All Saints Church, Talbot Road, Highgate, London N6 4QH.

Our winter concert, followed by a social gathering, with wine.

Mountains of Tongues : The Family Elan and Maspindzeli

Friday 17 January 2014, 8pm

Cafe Oto, 18–22 Ashwin street, Dalston, London E8 3DL.

Launch of the Sayat Nova Project's album Mountains of Tongues, with performances by The Family Elan and Maspindzeli,
and video screenings of musicians from around the Caucasus recorded by the Sayat Nova Project.

Mountains of Tongues – Sayat Nova Project release



Gigi Garakanidze VIII International Festival
of Folk and Church Music in Batumi

Tuesday 29 – Thursday 31 October 2013

Maspindzeli travelled to Georgia to take part in the Batumi Garakanidze Festival.

Georgian Tea Party

Saturday 6 July 2013, 3:30pm – 6pm, Admission Free

All Saints Church, Talbot Road, Highgate, London N6 4QH.

A community day with Georgian tea, cake, books, crafts, CDs, dancers and a performance by Maspindzeli.

Film Screening: Lucky Village

Wednesday 3 July 2013, 7:30pm, Admission Free

Rich Mix, 35–47 Bethnal Green Road, London E1 6LA.

Maspindzeli performed before this rare screening of the 1993 Georgian film Lucky Village.

Play: A Toy Gun

Thursday 13 June 2013

Chelsea Theatre, 7 World's End Place, London SW10 0DR.

Maspindzeli performed at the theatre, at 8pm, just before the evening's second performance of Georgian playwright Tamar Bartaia's play A Toy Gun.

Midwinter Concert and Party

Saturday 12 January 2013, 7:30pm

St Mary's Church, Elsworthy Road, London NW3 3DJ.

Our winter concert was followed by a party, aptly on the weekend between Georgian Christmas and New Year.



Khoni Cathedral Choir

Saturday 17 November 2012, 6:30pm

All Saints Church, Talbot Road, Highgate, London N6 4QH. (map)

Concert by the Choir of the Khoni Cathedral Church of St George, with a guest appearance by Maspindzeli.

Bukistsikhe School, Guria

Saturday 6 October 2012

Concert, including a joint performance with Sakhioba.

Great Hall of the Tbilisi State Conservatoire, Georgia

Friday 28 September 2012, 7pm

Gala concert, with many other groups, of the Sixth International Symposium on Traditional Polyphony.

The Folklore State Centre of Georgia, Tbilisi

Thursday 27 September 2012, 7pm

The choir performed at the opening of an exhibition of folk art. The performance was filmed by PIK TV.

Folk Radio Studios, Tbilisi

Thursday 27 September 2012, 3:15pm

The choir performed several songs as part of a live broadcast on Folk Radio, including interviews with some choir members.

Recital Hall of the Tbilisi State Conservatoire, Georgia

Thursday 27 September 2012, 1pm

Afternoon concert, including a collaboration with Swedish ensemble Doluri as part of the Sixth International Symposium on Traditional Polyphony.

St Mary's, Primrose Hill

Saturday 8 September 2012, 7:30pm

St Mary's Church, Elsworthy Road, London NW3 3DJ. (map)

Our pre-Georgia-tour concert.

Sathanao Ensemble

Saturday 12 May 2012, 7:30pm

All Saints Church, Talbot Road, Highgate, London N6 4QH. (map)

The unsurpassably wonderful women's ensemble Sathanao performed a concert, and Maspindzeli made a very small guest appearance.

Sathanao Ensemble

Voices Now

Sunday 4 March 2012, 11am – 10pm, Free admission

Roundhouse, Chalk Farm Road, London NW1 8EH. (map)

Maspindzeli took part in the Voices Now Festival, along with 23 other choirs.
Our second performance of the day was broadcast live on BBC Radio 3's The Choir. Here's the Full Schedule.

Georgian Tea Party

Saturday 3 March 2012, 3pm–6pm, Free admission

All Saints Church, Talbot Road, Highgate, London N6 4QH. (map)

A community day with Georgian tea, cake, books, crafts, CDs, performances by Maspindzeli, some storytelling and a short film.



Christmas Concert and Party :
Stirring Songs for Feasting and Celebration

Saturday 10 December 2011, 7:30pm

All Saints Church, Talbot Road, Highgate, London N6 4QH. (map)

We launched our new CD, featuring highlights from our past decade of live performances.

Peace Out Loud

Saturday 3 December 2011, 7:00pm

Piccadilly Circus Underground Station

We sang to raise money for Peace Direct, as part of a day of performances by several choirs throughout the capital. About £400 was raised at Piccadilly Circus on the day.

Peace Direct – supporting local action against conflict

Extraordinary Voices – Barbican

Sunday 24 July 2011, noon to 3pm, free

Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London EC2Y 8DS (map)

We joined a fantastic line-up for this weekend of unusual vocal performances in the Barbican's open spaces,
including Orlando Gough, Feral Choir, London Bulgarian Choir, London Gay Men's Chorus, Trans Siberian March Band and the fabulous Frank Chickens!

For more information, see Home Live Art.

Benefit Concert for the Stroke Association

Sunday 19 June 2011, 7:30pm, entrance by donation

St Saviour's Church, Eton Rd, London NW3 4SU. (map)

Maspindzeli performed a joint concert with Belsize Community Choir in support of The Stroke Association.
The evening also featured solo performances by Paul Nicholson on piano, Ellen Marple on trombone and Dwayne Engh on marimba.
It was a fine final concert with our outgoing MD Mark Thomas, whose contribution over the last two years has been highly valued.

Jamboree, Limehouse

Wednesday 25 May 2011, 9pm

Cable Street Studios, 566 Cable Street, London E1W 3HB. (map)

We performed two half hour sets in this "cosy Bohemian club": trios, small group and whole choir pieces.

Voices Now – The Hours

Friday 25 March 2011, 4:30pm, free

Roundhouse, Chalk Farm Road, London NW1 8EH. (map)

We gave a brief performance of Georgian chants, as part of an all day event (10:30am – 9:30pm) produced by The Clerks. More information...

Peace Out Loud

Saturday 12 February 2011, 7:30pm

We busked for Peace Direct at Paddington Station in London, as one of 12 choirs taking part in a day of fund raising performances at the station.

Peace Direct – supporting local action against conflict

Georgian Patriarch's Choir

Tuesday 8 February 2011, 7:30pm

St John's Smith Square, London SW1P 3HA. (map)

Concert by the Georgian Patriarch's Choir, which includes members of male voice choirs Basiani and Shavnabada,
with guest appearances by Maspindzeli and women's ensemble Tabuni.



Christmas Concert and Party

Saturday 11 December 2010, 7pm

St Paul's Church Centre, 5 Rossmore Road, Marylebone NW1 6NJ. (map)

Maspindzeli performed, with guests: Borjghali from Bristol, women's ensemble Sathanao from Georgia and a dancing display by Inga Kavelashvili.

Shavnabada Choir

Saturday 20 November 2010, 7:30pm

St Leonard's Church, Shoreditch High Street, London E1 6JN (map)

Concert by male voice choir Shavnabada from Georgia, with a guest appearance by Maspindzeli.

Great Hall of the Conservatoire, Tbilisi

Friday 8 October 2010, 7pm

Gala concert, with many other groups, of the Fifth International Symposium on Traditional Polyphony.

Imedi TV Studios, Tbilisi

Friday 8 October 2010, 11am

We recorded a performance for Imedi TV's Folk Morning programme.

Chveneburebi Festival

Tuesday 5 October 2010, 4pm

Tbilisi State Medical University. More details...

Recital Hall of the Conservatoire, Tbilisi

Tuesday 5 October 2010, 1pm

Afternoon concert, as part of the Fifth International Symposium on Traditional Polyphony.

St Saviour's Church, Hampstead

Saturday 18 September 2010, 7:30–9:00 pm

St Saviour's Church, Eton Rd, London NW3 4SU.

The Round Church, Cambridge

Sunday 5 September 2010, 6:00–7:30pm

Bridge Street, Cambridge CB2 1UA. (map)

Holy Sepulchre, Cambridge. Photo taken by Noles1984

Ealing Global Festival

Sunday 25 July 2010

Walpole Park, Ealing. (map)

More about the festival...

Ondaatje Wing 10th Anniversary

Friday 7 May 2010, 6:30pm, free admission

National Portrait Gallery, St Martin's Place, London WC2H 0HE. (map)

Maspindzeli joined five other redoubtable London choirs:
The Shout, The London Bulgarian Choir, Velvet Fist, The London Gay Men's Chorus and Trade Winds
in a choral invasion of the galleries, directed by Orlando Gough.



Extraordinary Voices – Late at Tate Britain

Friday 4 December 2009, 6–10pm, free admission

Tate Britain, Millbank, London SW1P 4RG. (map)

Late at Tate Britain threw open the galleries for an evening celebration of the voice, featuring Maspindzeli and many other artists, including:
London Bulgarian Choir, Phil Minton's Feral Choir, Adey Grummet and Kayte Harding of The Shout, Afrogroov, Funk Chorus, Geoff Fazan, Mikhail Karikis.
Curated by Home Live Arts.

Tenth Anniversary Concert

Saturday 10 October 2009, 7:30pm

St Paul's Church Centre, 5 Rossmore Road, Marylebone NW1 6NJ. (map)

We celebrated our tenth year of singing evocative songs from the Caucasus.

Saint Mamai (drawn by Miranda Gray) riding in the dome of Kumurdo Cathedral

Saint Mamai (drawn by Miranda Gray) riding in the dome of Kumurdo Cathedral

Hear My Song — a festival of choral music

Friday 19 June 2009, 7:30pm

St Yeghiche's Armenian Church, 13b Cranley Gardens, Kensington, London SW7 3BB. (map)

Performances by three choirs: the Choir of St Yeghiche, singing music by Komitas and other Armenian composers;
Maspindzeli Choir, singing sacred and ritual songs from the polyphonic tradition of Georgia;
and the Choir of St Barnabus Dulwich, whose programme featured a new work by young Armenian composer Tigran Grigoryan.

This event was organised by the Armenian Institute, who also provide a more detailed Concert programme.

Chveneburebi Festival of Georgian Folkdance and Song

Wednesday 27 May 2009, 7:30pm

Rudolf Steiner House, 35 Park Road, London NW1 6XT.

For the first time in the UK, the Shavnabada men's choir, and amazing dancers from Tamaz Gogotishvili's dance group Shejibri, both from Tbilisi.
We also sang, along with other choirs from Leeds, Bristol and London.

Shavnabada Choir

A Year in Georgian Song

Saturday 14 March 2009, 7:30pm

St Saviour's Church, Eton Rd, London NW3 4SU.

Trailing the seasons from the green shoots of spring, through summer's solstice, the autumn harvest and winter wassailing, this performance evoked the ancient sounds of Georgia.

Watch a sample of the concert, featuring the group Tabuni and some wonderful guest Georgians.



Christmas Party

Saturday 13 December 2008, 6–10pm

St Paul's Church Centre, 5 Rossmore Road, Marylebone NW1 6NJ. (map)

Georgia Comes to the Village!

Saturday 22 November 2008, 8pm

St Mary's Church, Church Hill, Walthamstow E17 9RJ. (map)

A concert focusing on songs by small groups.
Also a song workshop, 5pm–6:30pm.

Photo Exhibition of Georgian Manuscripts

Monday 17 November 2008

Georgian Embassy, 4 Russell Gardens, London W14 8EZ.

The choir sang at this event.

Song and Supra

Sunday 16 November 2008, 6:30pm

The Battersea Barge, Tideway Walk, Nine Elms Lane, Vauxhall, London SW8 5BP. (map)

A Georgian cultural experience, including performance by a small group of Maspindzeli members.
Funds raised will go to aid for Georgian refugees in Tbilisi (50%), rebuilding of Gori university/library (25%) and the Teatri Tskhoveli theatre project (25%).

Great Hall of the Conservatoire, Tbilisi

Friday 19 September 2008

We took part in the evening gala concert of the Fourth International Symposium on Traditional Polyphony.

Recital Hall of the Conservatoire, Tbilisi

Friday 19 September 2008

Daytime concert, as part of the Fourth International Symposium on Traditional Polyphony.

Sing for Peace in Georgia

Saturday 6 September 2008, 7pm, admission free

St Paul's Church Centre, 5 Rossmore Road, Marylebone NW1 6NJ. (map)

A concert of Georgian songs led by Maspindzeli, and joined by other choirs.

Admission free with a collection to help those affected by the crisis in Georgia.

Sing for Peace in Georgia

Wednesday 20 August 2008

Trafalgar Square, London.

We joined with choirs throughout the world to sing for peace in Georgia.

St Paul's Church Centre, Cambridge

Sunday 17 August 2008

St Pauls' Church Centre, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 1JP. (map)

This concert was in preparation for a planned performance in Tbilisi in September by members of Maspindzeli.

We sang whilst thinking of our Georgian friends both here and in Georgia, currently in the news for desperately sad reasons.

Bristol Harbour Festival

Sunday 3 August 2008

We performed three sets:

11:00 on the Ampitheatre Stage, Bristol Harbour;

13:45 on the Cascade Steps Stage, Bristol Harbour;

16:30 at the Georgia café/marquee, Queen Square, Bristol Harbour.

Choral Sundays

Sunday 13 July 2008

Foyer Bar, Level 2, Southbank Centre, London SE1 8XX.

We performed a one hour concert as part of the Choral Sundays series.

Sing the Difference Concert and Workshops

Sunday 6 July 2008

Horniman Museum, 100 London Road, Forest Hill, London SE23 3PQ.

Singing Workshops: included one by our Musical Director, Lucy Gibsonmore details...

Concert: with Raise the Roof Singers, the Dessibelles and Maspindzeli – more details...

Sing London Logo

Opening Voices

Sunday 11 May 2008, 5:30pm

Clore Ballroom, Southbank Centre, London SE1 8XX.

Maspindzeli sang a 10-15 minute set as part of this multi-choir event.



Christmas Concert and Party

Saturday 15 December 2007

St Paul's Church Centre, 5 Rossmore Road, Marylebone NW1 6NJ.

The event included the first solo UK exhibition of the prominent Georgian artist Levan Margiani.

Levan Margiani : 'Cristmas' – detail

BBC Christmas Fair

Wednesday 5 December 2007

BBC Television Centre, Wood Lane, London W12 7RJ.

Summer Concert

Saturday 21 July 2007, 7:30pm
Chapel of Trinity College, Cambridge

We sang to raise money for the charity SOS Children's Villages, who have two villages in Georgia – one in Tbilisi and one in Kutaisi.

poster for Cambridge concert

Singing River

Friday and Saturday, 8 and 9 June 2007, sunset

Maspindzeli and five other London choirs sang while sailing up the Thames on a barge, from Tower Bridge to the Royal Festival Hall, ending with a piece composed by Orlando Gough, as part of the reopening celebrations for the Royal Festival Hall. Read a review in the Independent. On the Friday, we also had a short performance to open the fourth floor Green Bar.

Georgian Independence Day

Monday 21 May 2007, 7:30pm

Short performance as part of celebrations at the Churchill Hotel, 30 Portman Square, London W1H 7BH.

St Hilda's College, Oxford

Sunday 29 April 2007, 7pm

This concert, at the Jacqueline du Pré Music Building, also included performances from pioneering UK folk guitarist Davy Graham, oud player and Arabic singer Tarik Beshir, guitarist Ben Ulph and leading khomus (Russian jews harp) player Shishigin Spiridon Spiridonovich.

Georgian Church Service

Saturday 21 April 2007, 10am

Maspindzeli sang for the Georgian Orthodox service at St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 60 Godolphin Road, London W12 8JW.

Members of Maspindzeli present:
Songs of the Caucasus – Vocal music from Georgia

Saturday 3 March 2007, 7:30pm

St Mary's Old Church, Stoke Newington Church Street N16 9ES.



Christmas Concert and Party

Saturday 16 December 2006, 6pm

St Paul's Church Centre, 5 Rossmore Road, Marylebone NW1 6NJ.

Third International Symposium on Traditional Polyphony

Monday 25 Sep 2006 – Friday 29 Sep 2006

The choir performed in Tbilisi, Georgia at the third symposium, and travelled to other parts of Georgia in the subsequent week.

Members of Maspindzeli – Small Groups Concert

Saturday 26 August 2006, 7:30pm

St Mary's Old Church, Stoke Newington Church Street N16 9ES.

Jubilee Gardens, Ely

Saturday 12 August 2006, 3pm

Performance at Jubilee Gardens, Ely.

Exhibition Road, South Kensington

Friday 11 August 2006

Performed for the Priceless project launch, outside the South Kensington museums and in the Underground foot tunnel.

Shouting Gallery

Friday 12 May 2006

National Portrait Gallery, London.

We sang and promenaded through the galleries, as part of this 150th anniversary event, involving The Shout and five other choirs, directed by Orlando Gough.

St Ethelburga's, Bishopsgate

Friday 21 April 2006

A shared bill with duduk player Tigran Aleksanyan.



Christmas Concert and Party

Saturday 10 December 2005

St Paul's Church Centre, Rossmore Road, Marylebone.

St Nicolas Church, Abingdon

Sunday 27 November 2005

Concert in aid of Georgian charities.

Jesus College Chapel, Oxford

Saturday 26 November 2005

Concert in aid of Friends of Academic Research in Georgia.

Georgian Embassy

Wednesday 23 November 2005

Reception to celebrate St George's Day and the 2nd anniversary of the Rose Revolution.

Ely Cathedral

Saturday 23 July 2005

Concert with Chela, in the Lady Chapel, followed by a performance at the Bandstand in Jubilee Gardens, Ely.

Venice's Boat Trip

Sunday 22 May 2005

A boat party on the Thames, in memory of Venice Manley.

St Andrew's Church, Letcombe Regis

Saturday 26 February 2005

Concert, followed by some social mixing with parishioners.



Christmas Concert and Party

Saturday 18 December 2004

St Paul's Church Centre, Rossmore Road, Marylebone.

Mehryar and Anne's wedding

Saturday 16 October 2004

Downing College, Cambridge.

Ureki, Guria

Tuesday 28 September 2004

Open air concert, with many other groups, of the First international Festival of Georgian Polyphony "Chven-Mshvidoba".

Town Theatre, Ozurgeti, Guria

Tuesday 28 September 2004

Concert with many other groups.

Great Hall of the Conservatoire, Tbilisi

Monday 27 September 2004

Gala concert, with many other groups, of the Second International Symposium on Traditional Polyphony.

Small Hall of the Conservatoire, Tbilisi

Monday 27 September 2004

Afternoon concert with Lardo, Schola Cantorum Brabantiae and Zari, as part of the Second International Symposium on Traditional Polyphony.

Marasong for Water Aid

Sunday 19 September 2004

Small performance alongside the South Bank, as part of the Sing For Water event.

Venice Manley's Funeral

Thursday 16 September 2004

Hendon Cemetery, Holders Hill Road, followed by a gathering at Lauderdale House, Highgate Hill.

Venice Manley passed away

Tuesday 31 August 2004 at 3:30 pm

Our director Venice Manley died peacefully.

Vinopolis

Tuesday 13 July 2004

Singing for Mikheil Saakashvili (president of Georgia).

Georgian School, Latymer Road

Saturday 3 July 2004

Performance at a party for the Georgian School at the Latymer Christian Centre, Bramley Road.

Summer Concert

Saturday 12 June 2004

St Paul's Church Centre, Rossmore Road, Marylebone.

Featured the premier of Anis Edzaxian, a new work especially written by Sally J Davies for the choir, joined by members of the Paragon Saxophone Quartet and Numan Elyer on Turkish percussion.

Frankie and Trevor's Wedding Reception

Saturday 8 May 2004

St Paul's Church Centre, Rossmore Road, Marylebone.

St Andrew's Church, Letcombe Regis

Saturday 6 March 2004

Short concert, as part of the second Ridgeway Residential weekend.



Christmas Supra

Saturday 20 December 2003

St Paul's Church Centre, Rossmore Road, Marylebone.

Winter Concert

Saturday 29 November 2003

St Paul's Church Centre, Rossmore Road, Marylebone.

Read a review in the Independent. This was the last concert led by Venice Manley.

The Big Sing Thing

Saturday 4 October 2003

Royal Festival Hall, South Bank. A multi choir event directed by Orlando Gough.

Sing For Water

Sunday 14 September 2003

South Bank. Massed choirs, directed by Helen Chadwick, sing to raise money for Water Aid.

St Matthias Church, Stoke Newington

Friday 20 June 2003

Concert with various local groups.

First Ridgeway Residential Weekend

Friday 21 February 2003 to Sunday 23 February 2003



Christmas Concert

Saturday 14 December 2002

St Paul's Church Centre, Rossmore Road, Marylebone, with Bow and Bellows and the London Bulgarian Choir.

Great Hall of the Conservatoire, Tbilisi

Tuesday 8 October 2002

Gala Concert of the First International Symposium on Traditional Polyphony.

Great Hall of the Conservatoire, Tbilisi

Friday 4 October 2002

Concert of Foreign Ensembles, as part of the First International Symposium on Traditional Polyphony.

Small Hall of the Conservatoire, Tbilisi

Friday 4 October 2002

Concert with Biti Dobre, as part of the First International Symposium on Traditional Polyphony.

Sing For Water

Sunday 15 September 2002

South Bank. First annual event in which massed choirs, directed by Helen Chadwick, sing to raise money for Water Aid.

St Pancras Old Church

Sunday 23 June 2002

Concert with Bow and Bellows.



Russian Orthodox Church, Ennismore Gardens, Kensington

Sunday 9 December 2001

Concert with the London Bulgarian Choir. Followed by a reception at the Georgian Embassy.

Pleasance Theatre, Carpenters Mews

Tuesday 4 December 2001

Performance as Part of "Georgian Week 2001".

Russian Orthodox Church, Ennismore Gardens, Kensington

Thursday 27 September 2001

Songs at a memorial service.

St Paul's Church Centre, Rossmore Road, Marylebone

Saturday 9 June 2001

Concert with the London Bulgarian Choir.

St Mary's, Paddington Green

Friday 8 June 2001

Concert with the London Bulgarian Choir.

Because I Sing

Saturday 31 March 2001 and Sunday 1 April 2001

An Artangel project at the Roundhouse with many other London-based amateur choirs and The Shout, directed by Orlando Gough.
Read the press coverage. It was for this event that Maspindzeli was so named, after much discussion.



First session led by Venice Manley

Saturday 7 October 2000

At the Winchester Project, Swiss Cottage.

St Saviour's Church, Hampstead

Saturday 10 June 2000

Concert billed as "Songs from the Caucasus Mountains". Joint concert with the National Theatre Choir (also led by Helen Chadwick).

First ever session

Saturday 2 October 1999

First rehearsal with Helen Chadwick at Union Chapel.