Marina Bloom’s humour nights are gaining momentum, attracting an ever-growing crowd of participants and spectators. Natalia Valentino, who experienced the event both as a participant and as a spectator, describes it as a resounding success.
A cozy restaurant in Auckland recently hosted the second concert show organised by Marina Bloom and her talented team. Over the past few years, their musical and humorous events have become incredibly popular among Russian-speaking audiences in Auckland and beyond.
This year, the team experimented with a new format, blending humour, music, and songs into a single evening of entertainment. The audience enthusiastically embraced this novel approach, enjoying opportunities for active participation. The format fostered friendly, informal interactions, audience involvement in performances, and even dancing. This innovative concept allows performers full freedom for improvisation and creative exploration, making each show a unique experience.
The concert was absolutely fantastic! I’d like to acknowledge all the talented individuals who participated:
Marina Dolinskaya, our beloved jazz pianist, opened the evening with elegance. Viktor Mastakov delighted the audience with his renditions of bardic and humorous songs. A special mention goes to Natalia Nering for her hilarious sketch on deciphering long passwords. Alexandra Rozhnova captivated everyone with her heartfelt performances of original songs, prompting the audience to sing along.
Nina Moroz and Misha Shteiner delivered an electrifying miniature that showcased their immense talent. Svetlana Eremeeva, our emerging star, impressed with her powerful voice and diverse repertoire, having previously toured South America before settling in Auckland. Marina Petrova added sparkle to the evening with her lively renditions of well-known songs, igniting a dancing frenzy among us all.
As a passionate rock music fan, I thoroughly enjoyed the performance of the new rock group Resident Band. Comprising three musicians from the Hit Pump crew, including the renowned and beloved vocalist and guitarist Kostya Sigachev, their performance was truly exceptional. Ilya Black took the spotlight that evening with his solo performance, delivering a level of quality typically seen at concerts by renowned rock stars. Bravo, Ilya!
Michelle Konen, already well-established and highly sought after by our audience, consistently brings new elements to her performances. On this occasion, she showcased her unique style and voice while singing two well-known songs, imbuing them with a distinct sound.
Our choir, Unison, which I am delighted to sing with, also participated in the concert, marking the first anniversary of our group. We performed two songs, including my personal favourite composed by Marina Bloom, our director. Marina’s leadership in rehearsals and classes brings us immense joy. If you have a passion for singing, enjoy improvisation and humour, we invite you to join us in Unison.
Towards the end, there was an exhilarating dance medley featuring our favourite songs performed by Neli Bagryantseva, Alexandra Rozhnova, Vasya Nesterenko, and Svetlana Eremeeva, prompting the entire hall to sing and dance along.
The evening held a delightful surprise: our talented presenter Yulechka White awarded a chocolate bunny to the best five-year-old dancer.
I want to highlight the warm and wonderful family atmosphere of the evening. Marina, thank you so much! We eagerly anticipate the next event, both as participants and as spectators.
Photo Nadejda Mouravleva
Natalia Valentino, Auckland
(translated by Lena Naumova)