EVENTS-MUSIC-SPORTS
Adam S.
Eterovich
Croatian Mariners off the
Coast of California
1565 California: Croatian mariners were in the Pacific Fleets of Spain
in the 1500’s and participated in the colonization and discovery of the
Philippines. Miguel de Aragoces or de
Ragusa (Dubrovnik) was a mariner in South America, 1535, New Spain in 1537,
and in the Philippines in 1565; Lucas
Aragoces was a Marine Guardian to the Capitana de Legazpi a Filipinas in
1565; Nicola Aragoces was a mariner
with Villalobos a Filipinas in 1542. All galleons leaving the west coast of
Mexico would travel along the California coast and at times stop for water on
their way, coming and going, in trade and commerce with the Philippines.
Indian Chief Hahamovic
1775 Pasadina: A History of Pasadina, California
mentions an Indian chief Hahamovic at the San Gabriel Catholic Mission in 1775.
Could he have said “Dobro Nam Dosli” to the Spanish explorers?
Founded San Francisco
1775 San Francisco: Alfred F. Malovos was member of a pioneer
Alviso family. He was born in Alviso on
the family ranch, known at the time as Lighthouse Farm. His mother was the late Maria J. Malovos, who
was a granddaughter of Ignacio Alviso,
and infant member of the historic DeAnza
Party which came to California in 1775 to found the City of San Francisco. His father was the late Andrew J. Malovos,
a ship captain from Island of Sipan, Dalmatia.
Mariners in Mexican
California
1800-1847 Mariners Blas Limcank and Blas Yame
were put ashore off the ship Peacock in California in 1806 as prisoners. Blas
or Vlaho is a common Croatian name. In 1822 an Austrian named Juan Bonifacio
landed from the ship John Begg as indicated by the historian Bancroft. He
married Carmen Pinto in 1827 and had three children and died in Santa Cruz,
California in 1834. In 1845 three foreigners were put ashore at Santa Cruz:
William Franec, Chris Vich and William Wanec. Francisco Rodenich, mariner on
the bark John Guipuzcoana, was charged with refusal to do duty at San Francisco
in 1847. He was also in Hawaii.
Captains and Ships in
Mexican California
1800-1848: Captain Livorich on the Schooner
Margarita and Captain Carlos Baric on the brig Primavera flying the Mexican
flag in Los Angeles in the 1830’s, could be Croatians. Austrian ships were
trading and visiting Pacific ports such as the Imperial Eagle of the Austrian
East India Company. This fur trader stopped at Hawaii in 1787. Captain Jakov
Levi out of Dubrovnik rounded Cape Horn in 1834 on the brig Re de Ungeria;
captains Ivan Kopatich, Stephan Splivalo, C. Constantine, C. Jurkovich, Antonio
Milatovich and Ivan Visin were in San Francisco in 1849-1850. Captain Visin’s
crew of Dalmatians deserted and went to seek gold. The ships Themis, Novara,
and Dandolo of Austria were in the Mexican trade during Maximilian’s rule in
Mexico during the 1860’s.
First Croatian in Los
Angeles
1834 Los Angeles: The first Croatian pioneer was Mattias
Sabich, coming from Mexico to Los Angeles in 1834. He had a son, Matias, in
1841 and a son, Francisco, in 1842 in Los Angeles. Matias was a trader and
merchant. He planted the first orange groves.
Discovery of Gold
1848 Coloma: John Ivankovich landed at San
Francisco in 1842 with a broken leg and his brother Mathew, also a mariner,
came in 1847. They worked for John Sutter on ship repairs in San Francisco.
Mathew was called the “Sailor Man” by John Sutter and was at the discovery of gold at Sutter’s
Mill.
First and Oldest
Restaurant in San Francisco
1849 San Francisco: “Tadich
Grill,” There are still landmarks in San Francisco, in spite of the fire of
1906, but they are mostly human landmarks, instead of buildings and monuments,
and very few are left at that. Such a
one is John V. Tadich, of the original ‘Cold
Day Restaurant,’ at 545 Clay Street. A talk with Mr. Tadich is like turning
back the leaves of historical San Francisco; he can tell you of the little tent
operating on the northwest corner of Leidesdorff and Commercial Streets, prior
to 1849, where coffee was served to goldminers, sailors and their kind; of the
small coffee house tent being transformed
into a corrugated iron house, which stood in this spot until Mr. Tadich
turned it into a real restaurant.
Croatian Prince Consort
1849 San Francisco: John Dominis, son of Captain
Dominis-Gospodnetich, grew up in Hawaii in the 1840's and I850's. His father
John Dominis is from the village of Pucisce, Island of Brac, in Dalmatia, or to
have originated from there. Upon hearing of the discovery of gold in
California, young John traveled to San Francisco and became an original
"Forty Niner". He returned to Honolulu in 1850. On September 16, 1862
he married Miss Lydia K. P. who became the last Queen of Hawaii, Queen
Liluiokalani. John Dominis of Croatian origin became the Prince Consort.
Shooting at Hotel Deville
1851 San Francisco: A shooting was reported by the San
Francisco Daily Alta on May 4, 1851 at the Hotel De Ville owned by Antonio
Milatovich.
Slavonic Illyric and
Benevolent Society of 1857
1857 San Francisco: On November 17, 1857, at 56 Government
House, near the present waterfront of San Francisco, a group of Dalmatians and
Istrians organized the Slavonic Illyric & Benevolent Society. Without their
knowing, they became the first Croatian organization in the world to be
established overseas. In 1874, the Slavonic Illyric Mutual & Benevolent
Society of San Francisco built the first Croatian building to be found in
America at Sutter Creek, Amador County. They organized the first Croatian
cemetery called the "Slavonic Terra" in 1861 in San Francisco. This Society
was incorporated in 1873 with the assistance of a well known member and lawyer,
Augustus D. Splivalo, from Viganj, Dalmatia. The Society is still in existence
and recently celebrated their 143rd continuous "Slavenska Vecera" in
San Francisco with the help of proud members and descendents from Croatia.
Virginia City’s First
Saloon
1859 Virginia City: Martin Grossetta from Dubrovnik,
Dalmatia, Croatia was proprietor of the Virginia Saloon in Virginia City,
Nevada in 1860. This was the first saloon
and one of the first of approximately fifty businesses in Virginia City
at the time. The Virginia Saloon was included in a prominent panorama of
Virginia City. Martin had been in Mobile, Alabama in 1849 and had voted in that
city prior to coming to the Pacific Coast to seek his fortune. In 1859 Martin
had a coffee saloon in San Francisco at the corner of Sacramento and East
Streets. Martin was a citizen in 1849 at
Mobile, Alabama.
Croatian Flag in
Sacramento
1859 Sacramento: On November 26, 1860, a delegation
consisting of Nikola Barovich born in Janjina, Peljesac; John Ucovich born in
Dubrovnik; and President Dr. Vincent Gelcich born on the Island of Hvar arrived
on the morning barge from San Francisco to present to their Croatian brothers
in Sacramento the Croatian Red, White and Blue Flag and Banner to celebrate
their first anniversary as the Croatian
Slavonic Illyric Society of Sacramento organized in 1859. This being the second oldest Croatian
organization in the Americas.
Union Navy
1860 San Francisco: Jakov Mikulich, better known as
Charlie from Senjska Rijeka, Croatia was an employee of Nicholas Buja. He was a young boy when he came to America
on a sailing vessel, and as a young man he enlisted in the United States Navy,
year 1860, during the Civil War. He
was real American. He enjoyed life to the utmost, was a stylish
dresser and a great lover of race horses.
Union Army
1863 San Jose: Dionicio Covacevich enlisted in the
Union Army in 1863 and was mustered out as a Corporal at Drumm Barracks in
1866.
1864 San Francisco: Doctor Vincent Gelcich enlisted in the
4th Infantry California Volunteers as a surgeon and mustered out as a Colonel
in 1865.
1865 Oroville: John Marcovich enlisted in the Union
Army as a Private in the Union Army. He was mustered out at Presidio of San
Francisco in 1866.
Hanging
1866 San Francisco: Basilio Vlahovich, age 29, was killed
by Antonio Sassovich, age 26. Antonio was hanged after a fair and quick trial
for murder; both were buried in the Croatian Cemetery by the Slavonian Society.
They were mariners from Dalmatia and not members of the Slavonian Society.
Life in San Francisco
1867 San Francisco: The people are mostly Americans by
birth, but there are also many English, Irish, French, Germans, Italians,
Spanish-Americans, Scandinavians, Dalmatians
and Chinese as reported in a book about San Francisco by Neville.
Taxes
1868 San Francisco: John Herzo was taxed $30,500. on his
buildings for the year in San Francisco. A Croatian millionaire.
Grand Opera House-Bella Union
Theatre
1868 San Francisco: The Mazzanovich family were musicians
upon coming to San Francisco in 1868. Lorenzo and Lena Mazzanovich listed on
the United States Census of population in 1870 in Los Angeles with four
children. Anton,1860; John,1856; Paul, 1858; and Lena, 1869. All were born on
the Island of Hvar, Dalmatia, Croatia except Lena. One son John, was employed
at the Grand Opera House and the famed
Bella Union Theatre in San Francisco. They were members of the Slavonic Illyric
Mutual and Benevolent Society of San Francisco, organized for less than a year,
the family moved to Los Angeles. They are considered Croatian Pioneers of that
city and amongst its earliest residents. The Mazzanovich family was the first
Dalmatian family to settle in Los Angeles,
although other Croatian pioneers did come earlier with families, having married
women other than Croatian nationality. L. Mazzanovich was a volunteer musician
in the Slavonian Rifles, 1st Company, Louisiana Volunteers, Confederate Army of 1861. The name is
Macanovich.
Slavonian Library
1869 San Francisco:
The Slavenska Citaonica or the Slavonian LIbrary was incorporated in the
State of California with the objects to establish a Library and Reading Room
for the use of persons belonging to the Slavonic Race, and others who may be
permitted to enjoy the benefits of the same.
Number of members twenty. Rooms,
619 Montgomery Street. Officers were S.
Martinovich, S. Milich, John Franeta, John Ivankovich, N. Dabovich.
Austrian Benevolent
Society Picnic
1873 Alameda: First Annual Picnic of the Austrian
Benevolent Society was held at Schuetzen Park, Alameda on April 20, 1873 as
reported in the Figaro Newspaper of San Francisco on April 19, 1873.
Selling Whiskey to
Indians
1873 Amador: George Dujmovich up in the Amador
goldmining region was arrested by the sheriff for selling whiskey to Indians at
his saloon. This was reported in the Amador Independent News in 1873. George
was from the Island of Brac. George stated “business is business”.
Opera Singer-The Croatian
Canary
1875 San Francisco: Then there was the eccentric Ilma de Murska, who when she came to
town in the 1870’s was hailed as the Croatian
Canary. This cookie traveled with a
veritable menagerie, including parrots, cockatoos and magpies (to which
she gave singing lessons) plus a monkey or two and Pluto, a mannerly, if
mammoth, Newfoundland. The latter always dined with his mistress at the table!
Ilma
De Murska, maiden name Ema Puksec, was born in Ogulin, Croatia in 1834. She
studied singing in Zagreb under Ruzicka who was a member of the orchestra, and
afterwards at the music institute under Lichtenegger. She married Eder in 1851,
but she left him with two children and went to the Music Academy in Vienna. In
1861 she went with Matilda Marchesi in Paris and by 1862 she had triumphs in
Florence, Sicily and Spain. She never came back to her husband. In 1863 she had
a tremendous success singing in the
Royal Opera in Vienna, then in Budapest, Prague, Paris, Hamburg, London,
Dublin, Berlin. She was nicknamed the "Croatian Nightingale". In St.
Petersburg she was singing at the Court and the Russian Czarina crowned her
with a brilliant diadem. In 1874 she had a guest performance in New York and
other cities in America.
Platts
Hall,1875, San Francisco: Mlle. Ilma
de Murska’s first concert of the series may be pronounced a perfect
success. The attendance represented the
beauty and fashion of the city, and the hall was crowded in every part. At the first glimpse the programme did not
seem to promise much; but the execution of the different numbers was sufficient
to stir the audience to the wildest enthusiasm.
The prima donna of the night was, of course, the centre of
attraction. On her every eye was bent
and when she opened her mouth in Benedict’s “Carnival of Venice,” the cast
assembly became like Louchard, “all ears.”
It was a magnificent rendering, and the applause that followed was of
such an impressive and significant character as to show that the qualifications of the cantatrice had not been
overrated but her usually sanguine entrepreneur. She was compelled to an encore, when she gave
a Hungarian (Croatian!) melody,
exquisitely sweet and at the same time powerful. Mlle. de Murska’s great strength lies in her
superb trills of variations, showing the great compass and extreme flexibility
of her voice.
In
1875 she performed in thirteen well attended concerts in the Melbourne,
Australia Town Hall". In the following year she gave eleven performances
at the Melbourne Opera House"'. Her tours were a great success, though
they were also surrounded by scandal. She apparently married twice during the
tour (once in Sydney and once in New Zealand) while still being married in
Europe. In 1876 the Argus described her performance in the opera
"Faust" as this: "she is exceptionally gifted as a singer, we
find in Mademoiselle Ilma de Murska such a grand union of powers, both natural
and acquired, that their application to the interpretation of this famous part
is an event in a lifetime to have witnessed, and having been once seen is never
to be forgotten". The Australasian
Sketcher's complements on De Murska's performances were even greater, "Of
her success since she has been in Victoria there is but one opinion, namely,
that great as it may be, it is only the recognition of her talents which is her
just due, and no more, and that she is the greatest singer who has ever visited
us, so ought her success here be the greatest on record" . "De Murska" Street, in
Prahran, was named in her honor. In 1889 she was invited in America again, to
take the professorship at the conservatoire. There she became very ill and
never healed again. She returned to Germany and died in poverty in Munich,
1889.
Exempt Firemen Funeral
1877 San Francisco: Sam Zlarin, better known as Sam Marion,
from Trogir, married a San Francisco girl and had a family of children. A son is an actor on the American stage, and
a daughter joined the Sisters of Mercy order.
Sam Zlarin was a typical Dalmatian Sokol (I like to apply the name Sokol
to him as it expresses my keen admiration of him). The Croatians apply the name Sokol (Falcon)
to persons of athletic and sporting activities, to courageous and brave men,
and without any exaggeration on my part, Sam Zarin was all that. He was very popular among his friends and a
leader among leaders in the old Slavonic Society, as well as among the Exempt
Firemen of early days in San Francisco, of which he was a member. He passed away about 1877; the funeral being
conducted by the Exempt Firemen’s organization from their historical hall in
Brenham Place above Portsmouth Square, in front of the then City Hall.
The Slavonic Society attended in a body.
I recall it as being one of the largest funerals of any of our people. The
streets were crowded with spectators, as it was a beautiful sight to see the
firemen in full unifrom, and hear the solemn music of the band. John Tadich.
Austrian Jaeger Company
1878 San Francisco: The “Austrian Jaeger Company” as it appeared
in the California publication The Wasp, August 10, 1878. Composed of Croatians from Dalmatia under the
leadership of Captain Nikola Sturica.
Groups such as these were and outgrouth of the Civil War, when the
Federal Government approved of volunteer organizations- many of which formed
along ethnic lines. With the passage of
time, these companies became little more than social organizations, whose
members donned fancy uniforms, drilled, and marched in patriotic parades.
Austrian Festival
1878 San Francisco:
the Fifth Annual Festival of the Austrian Benevolent Society was held at
South San Francisco Park, Sunday August 11, 1878. Tickets 50 cents, children free. All were
Croatians.
Colonization
1878 Mexico: The Daily Morning Call on March 13,
1878 in San Francisco reported that Antonio Milatovich of this city intends
colonizing a portion of his land in Lower California, Mexico. Mr, Milatovich is
one of the largest land grabbers on the
peninsula, claiming upward of three hundred thousand acres.
Croatian-Slavic Day at
the Mid Winter International Exposition
1894 San Francisco: Not only the Croatian newspapers
Dalmatinska Zora and Slavenska Sloga, which were being published at that time
in San Francisco, but the American press as well agreed that Slavic Day--
celebrated in the city on July 21, 1894-- was an overwhelming success. It was, they felt, the best celebration
staged by an ethnic group during the city’s Mid Winter-International Exposition
that year. After offering brief, but
glowing quotes from the Examiner, Chronicle and Daily Report, Skrivanic turned
to Dalmatinska Zora for a detailed description of the day’s activities. With slight editing by the translator (RLM)
the description is as follows:
At
9 a.m. our countrymen began to assemble at the intersection of New Montgomery
and Market Streets-- the starting point for the parade. The various Slavic flags, including our Croatian tricolor, fluttered in the
breeze and our language was being spoken as if we were in ancient Zagreb. The musical groups were playing our marches,
most often “Napred zasdrave slave” and Zivela
Hrvatska.” And then the band music
burst from on Market Street. These were
our people from Oakland. Lined up with
them were various dignitaries on horseback, our man Ivan Klecak being among them,
Then came the contingent from San Jose, 300 strong and complete with
band. Led by parade deputy marshal L.V. Slavich, the San Jose group had
traveled to San Francisco by special train.
The
parade got underway at 11 a.m. in the following order: A large group of police
officers led the way, followed by the grand marshal, H. Giara, with a swath of
Croatian tricolor across his chest.
Seated with him were assistant P Szakalski, S. Kucich and A. Tadich. Then came the first of the parade’s three
sections-- a Slavic band followed by another of the parade’s deputy marshals,
C. Prosek, and his assistants-- Dalmatians N. Marich and R. Radich. The panslavic flag was carried by our
patriot, V.N. Bakulich, while the
American flag was handled by G. Arnerich. Then came the float “American Freedom” and 18
young women representing 18 different Slavic nations. Each was dressed in
white and adorned with flowers. Next
were 20 coaches with the following:
(Dignitaries) A.E. Barbich,
Ivan Ivankovich, N. Barovich, J. Klecak, I. Slavich,
Marko Rabasa, M. Malovoz, Dr. J. Prosak, Jos. Korbel, F.
Lastufka, Captain Bjelavski, L. Jankovich,
J. Kucich, F. Antunovich, M. Ljubetich,
B. Radovich, N. Miklo, Dr. Pavlicki,
A Truhlar, A Gecan, and N. Plancich. (Speakers) F. Zaninovich, Dr. G. Vecki,
F. Snajder, J. Vostrovsky and L. Svetnich.
(Newsmen) V. Snajder (from Ohio), Z.V. Muzina
(editor of Danica visiting from Alleghany), V. Piskulic and reporters form the San Francisco papers.
The
Slavonic Illyrian Mutual Benefit Society,
flying the red-white-blue tricolor, came next with a large contingent. They were followed by marchers and a
beautiful float representing the “Veselo-zabavno” club. This float also proudly displayed the
Croatian tricolor. Miss M. Zaro,
dressed in with with a wreath on her head, was seated in the center of
the float surrounded by several little girls.
We tip our hat to club president, Mr. Bradasich, for his wonderful float.
Section
two of the parade led off with a marching bad followed by deputy marshal V.
Komery and his assistants M. Vodjanski and S. Adamko. The society “Sasinek” Lodge 33 of the
National Slovak Society came next-- with 200 marchers led by a flagbearer
displaying the Slovak national flag.
Then came a large group representing the Slovenian Catholic Society
followed by our brothers, the Czechs, represented by their society “Zlatna
Brana.” After them came four horses
pulling a float that was decorated with flowers, flags and heraldic coats of
arms bearing such names as Strossmayer,
Starcevic, B Biankini, Preradovic, Klaic, etc.-- all heroes to us. A beautiful young woman representing Slavdom
stood in the middle of the float. She
was surrounded by young men who represented our various national heroes. Outstanding among these were the
personifications of Bishop Strossmayer,
Nikola Zrinski, King Zvonimir and Ivan Gundulic. Our brother Slavs
from the north had their heroes as well.
This float was the best of all.
The
Croatian-Dalmatian Club “Zvonimir”
came next with 82 marchers and 50 carriages filled with the club’s
members. This huge contingent was also
represented by its president, Mr. Gecan,
and parade deputy marshal, Mr. Glavich.
Part
three of this grand parade led off with the San Jose contingent-- its band, its
parade deputy marshal, L.V. Slavich,
his lieutenants, S. Zaro and J. Chirgin, and 300 marching members of
the Slavic-American Society. This was
truly something to see-- All these brave, young Dalmatians marching with
our tricolor proudly waving overhead.
The Slavs from Santa Clara followed the San Jose group, marching and
riding in coaches. This brought the
parade to an end.
To
the above description from Dalmatinska Zora, Skrivanic appended the following
summary: The parade was 12 blocks long and lasted two hours. It
culminated at the Exposition Grounds where, at a special forum, lengthy
speeches were delivered by A.E. Barbich,
F. Zaninovich,. Dr. G. Vecki and others. Barbic and Zan spoke in English, while Dr. Vecki delivered his address in
Croatian. This day contributed to a
great deal to the Croatian movement in California and will be denoted with
golden letters in the history of the 19th century.
Slavonian Band
1890’s San Francisco: The Slavonian N.S. Club Band made up of
Croatians Dr. Kucich, Peter Tornich, Dominic Fabris, Nick Zaninovich, Steve
Perkovich and Vincent Fabris is the oldest Croatian Band in California and
probably in America. The band was organized by Geralomo Fabris from the Island
of Hvar.
Austrian Military Band
1900 San Francisco: The Austrian Military Band under the direction
of G.A. Fabris has performed at many picnics and events within the Croatian
community.
Slavonian Picnic
1901 San Francisco: Slavonic Society holds annual picnic in April
1902 at Fernbrook Park, Niles.
Croatian Tamburitza Club
Zvonimir
1902 San Francisco: llar Spiletak.
Along with thousands of others at the turn of the century, a large
number of people migrated from “Hrvatskog Primorja” (Croatia by the sea) and
Dalmatia, looking for work and fortune in the new world. Among this group was a young cabinet maker,
Ilar Spiletak, born December 19, 1876. Spiletak journeyed to America in the
year 1901, settling in San Francisco, California. When other young men moved to San Francisco
from Dubrovnik and surrounding places, Spiletak had within the year, on August
28, 1902, organized one of the first tamburitza groups among the immigrants in
America. This group was called the Hrvatsko Tamburitza Drustvo “ZVONIMIR” (Croatian
Tambura Club “ZVONIMIR”). The club
“ZVONIMIR” ordered its first tambura instruments from the then well-known firm
of T. Kovacic, in Zagreb. The group used these instruments until they
were destroyed in the big earthquake of April, 1906. New tambure were
ordered from the immigrant manufacturer Marohnic, in Allegheny, Pennsylvania. At this time, the group changed its name to “GUNDULIC” under which title the group
worked until 1934 when it changed its name to the “Hrvatsko-Americki Tamburaski
Zbor” (Croatian-American Tambura Group). The group used the Farkas system of tambura
with two bisernica’s, two kontrasica’s, three brac’s, two bugarija’s and a
berde. Beside this early group, Spiletak is reputed to have organized at least
ten other tamburitza groups.
Austrian Military Banquet
and Ball
1904 San Francisco:
The Austrian Military and Benevolent Association Celebrated their 25th
anniversary at Eintracht Hall in San Francisco with entertainment, ball and
banquet. Officers were M. Sabadin, M.J.
Rasol, M.L. Milkovich, C. Petrusich, N. J. Sambrailo, J. M. Sambrailo, M. Miladin,
Spiro Raicevich, John Turato, Jasper Tosich, M. P. Christovich and L. Vezelich.
They were all Croatians.
Slavonian Picnic
1905 San Rafael: Slavonic
Society holds annual picnic on April 30, 1905 at Shutzen Park in San Rafael.
Sullivan the Strong Man
1906 San Francisco: Ivan Mladinich, also known as “Sullivan the
Strong Man” left his native Island of Brac for San Francisco before the turn of
the century. A member of the
Slavonic-Illyric Mutual and Benevolent Society of San Fracisco, Mladinich performed
many feats of strength, including the bending of horse shoes.
Slavonic Illyric Society
50th Year Banquet
1907 San Fracisco: The Slavonic Illyric M.B. Society of San
Francisco celebrates 50 years as a Golden Jubilee on November 17, 1907 at Lyric
Hall. Committee of Arrangements included
J. Sambuck, P. Tornich, N. Marisich, J. Vicin, S. Bonacich, S. Hamovich, F.
Berticevich, S. Negodich, J. Bilafer, R. Baresin and J. Karuza. The Reception Comittee included G. Santich,
J. Bojanich, J. Jurach, A. Vrancovich, G. Bencich, J. Mosich, P. Marisich, G.
Arnerich, G. Balovich, G. Slavich, J. Kovacich, D. Bencich and J. Vicin.
California Baseball
Champions
1909 Watsonville: Championship Baseball won by
Watsonville in 1909. The twelve members of the California Conference Champions
included a few Dalmatians. Two John Novakovich’s, Steve Nemanich, and Louis
Kalich.
Croatian Sokol Band
1910 Oakland:
The Croatian Sokol Band of Oakland, California awaits the arrival of
Croatian dignitaries at the Oakland train station in the early 1900s. The Oakland Sokol Club was the first to be
organized on the Pacific Coast in 1910.
For many years it maintained an office at 810 Chester Street.
Sokols of the Pacific
1910 Oakland: is the home of the Sokols on the
Pacific. The Oakland branch was organized in 1910 and has had a steady growth
to the present in 1939.
Mayes Oyster House
1911 San Francisco: Sunny Jim Rolph, Mayor of San
Francisco, a Tory bohemian in the Edwardian style: A lover of lavish lunches at
Maye's Oyster House (Dalmatians) on
Polk Street, or, if he were too busy, gourmet spreads sent over to his office
by taxicab from, the Paclfic Union Club. He smoked. expensive cigars. He once
opened the Policeman’s Ball by escorting in the grand arcade The
City's leading madam, Tessie Wall. Marriage vows and Rolph's sincere
Episcopalianism now and then crumbled before the vagrant urges of the flesh.
For a long time, in fact, he was rumored to be keeping, a mistress. But those
were both better-behaved, and more tolerant days, in the matter of sexual conduct. Discretion covered. a multitude of sins.
Sokols of the Pacific
1911 San Francisco: Organized in 1911, the
Croatian-American Sokols of San Francisco were organized as a second branch of
the Grand Lodge of the Pacific. Sokol
headquarters in San Francisco are at the society’s club rooms, 86 Golden Gate
Avenue. Composed of 75 members the Sokols have contributed much to the
athletic, educational and social life of Croatians in San Francisco. Under the leadership of President Vladimir
Budinski and Secretary Anton Petrovich, the San Francisco Sokols are in the
midst of a very eventful and successful 1939 year.
Island of Brac Reunion
1914 Los Angeles:
A “Postirski izlet” or outing of immigrants from the village of Postira
on the Island of Brac, on July 16, 1914.
For many years the immigrants from Postira staged an annual
reunion-picnic (July 16) celebrating the Feast Day of the Lady of Mt. Carmel
(Gospe od Karmela), a great day of celebration on the island of Brac. Family names include Hranueli, Gospodnetich,
Jelincich, Matulich, Salamunovich, Santich, Skarich, Biocina, Restovich,
Bisazza. Most lived in the Croatian
neighborhood around St. Anthony’s Croatian Church in Los Angeles. Later some of these immigrants moved to San
Pedro.
Austrian Archduke Francis
Ferdinand Mass
1914 San Francisco: San Francisco Examiner July 29, 1914. An imposing high requiem and
sacrifice mass was celebrated yesterday at the Croatian Church of Nativity for
the assassinated Austrian Archduke Francis Ferdinand and the Duchess of Hohenburgh.
The service was conducted by the Rev. Father Turk, assisted by father Hughes as
subdeacon, the sermon being held by Father Footo of St. Ignatius Church. The church and altar were profusely decorated
with flowers and mourning. Two beautiful bronze caskets, covered with wreaths
and flowers, stood in front of the altar,being symbolic of the commemorial
nature of the mass, and on either side were displayed portraits of the late
Archduke and Duchess, surrounded with red and white colors of the dual monarchy.
The church was filled to overflowing with a congregation of Austrians and
Germans. A marital aspect was given to the gathering by the presence of reserve
officers of the Austrian Imperial army in full uniform, their swords girded on. Amongst the prominent Austrian-Hungarian
residents attending were the Austrian Consul General, Dr. Joseph Goricar, with
his staff; Captain of Reserves M. Rasol-Russel, First Lieutenant F. Beck,
Second Lieutenant J. Cristich, John Radovich, M. Ranzulo, Martin Perich, C.
Petrusich, I. W. Alison, past president of the Austrian Military and Benevolent
Society, and many others. The preacher said that the service was strictly a
religious service and high mass for the souls of the martyred royal couple, and
had no political tendency whatever. All
statements attributing a political
intention to the service were consequently without foundation. At the
conclusion to the sermon the solemn blessing of the caskets was given, the
choir singing the “Kyrie Eleison” afterward.
The Austrian national anthem, “Got Erhalte Franz den Kaiser” (God Have
Our Emperor Francis), and the singing of “Nearer My God, to Thee” concluded the
ceremonies. The choir consisted of Mrs. R. W. Gillogley, Miss C. Guntz,
Miss Etta O’Brien, Miss J. Donnelly and Miss Bertha Radovich.
Slavonic Day Ball
1915 San Francisco:
Slavonic Day Ball held at the Sokol
Hall in San Francisco on August 28, 1915.
Austrian Military Dance
1915 Oakland: The Austrian Military Society of Oakland
announce their Annual Dance on April 17, 1915.
Slavonic Illyric Society
Banquet
1915 San Francisco:
The 59th Annual Banquet of the Slavonic Illyric Society was held on
November, 1915 at Milan and Dan Restaurant.
Slavonic Alliance Annual
Ball
1915 San Francisco:
The Slavonic Alliance of San Francisco held their Grand Annual Ball on
Sunday, February 14, 1915 at the Golden Gate Commandary Hall.
Slavonic Day-Panama
Pacific International Exposition of 1915
1915 San Francisco: Staged to celebrate the opening of
the Panama Canal, the Exposition stretched over 635 acres- from Fort Point to
Van Ness Avenue and from Chestnut Street to the Bay. San Francisco was going to
show the world how proudly it had risen from the ashes of the Great Fire and
Earthquake of 1906.
The
greater San Francisco Bay Area, including Northern California, boasted of
approximately 20,000 Slavs, with the majority being Slavs from
Croatia-Dalmatia, Hercegovina, and Slovenia. The Slavonic Mutual and Benevolent
Society, along with fellow Croatians organized Slavonic Day to express their
ethnic pride and loyalty to America.
The
San Francisco Chronicle, on September 21, 1915, described the Slavonic parade
in detail as follows: Slavonic Day is Celebrated by Thousands. Assembled Slavs
Show Their Loyalty to U.S. by Issuing Patriotic Proclamation
Gala
Doings at Exposition close with Ball in the California Building. Queen Margaret
I of United Slavonia, acclaimed by 20,000 Slavs, ruled over the exposition
yesterday. No one knew that they were so many SLavs in Central California until
they marched into the exposition yesterday morning to celebrate Slavonic
day. They came from every city around
the bay, from Sacramento, Stockton, Watsonville and San Jose, representing all
the Slavic groups from Russia to Croatia.
They filled Festival Hall for their formal exercises and overflowed all
over the grounds. No less that thirty-four Slavonic societies, besides long
lines of men and women unattached, were represented in the big parade that
escorted Queen Margaret and her train from the Civic Center to the exposition.
With the sokols and societies in bright national constumes, the parade
was the most colorful taht has passed through the exposition gates.
Queen
Margaret rode in a triumphal car symbolizing United Slavonia and attended by
her maids of honor and nine little girls representing the Slavic Division.
Grand Marshal J. A. Chargin,
with his chief of staff, Frank Hospodarsky, and his aides, Anton Zec, V. D. Jugovich and M. Waniorek, led the parade. After the queen came Mayor Rolph, the official
high priest at the coronation.
While
employing the day to emphasize their love of race, the California Slavs made it
also the occasion of a demonstration of thier patriotic regard for the United
States. Their speakers declared their allegiance to their adopted
country, resolutions were passed expressing their willingess to serve in the
defense of the Nation, and the general committee issued a proclamaiton
declaring that the Slavs of this country stand for the United States first of
all.
Proud
of adopted country: The printed address said in part “The Slavonic citizens of
California and of all the other part ot he the United States always have been,
are and always will be, ready to do everything in therir power to be of use and
help in their adopted country in any emergency. no matter what foreign
governments, their ambassadors or agents may say or do, the Slavs throughout
America are ready and eager to offer their belongings, their strong arms and
healthy bodies and if necesary, their last drop of blood, for the integrity and
safety of these glorious United States, anywhere and at any time.”
They
further wish to emphasize that one Slavonic race loves the others, and that if
the Austrian and German Government have offered the world the revolting
spectacle in arraying brother against brother in revolting combats, the world
must know that the poor, downtrodden Slavonic peoples, under the unjust and
tyrannic governments of the Kaisers and Hapsburgs, have no other choice, and
that prisons and gallows stifle at once any protesting voice. “The American
people will have an opportunity to witness on this day that unity and harmony
of the Slav residing in the United States, and view the falseness of the
statements spread by the enemies of truth, who maintain that the Slavs, pressed
into the uniforms of their opressors, are not fighting by choice, but because
they are forced to do so by those same criminal goverments.” E. L.
Chlopek, one of the orators of the day, declared that a Teutonic victory would
leave the Slavs of Europe a people without a country. Samuel M. Shortridge
called upon all the Slavs present, as loyal Americans by adoption, to exert
effort to preserve the Nation’s neutrality.
Queen
Margaret I, otherwise Miss M. Krsak,
was crowned by Mayor Rolph on the stage of Festival Hall. The Mayor was
the first to salute the monarch, and then the audience cheered and sang “Oj
Slaveni.” They sang “America” at the
close. Piano and violin solos were redered by Zdenka Euben, Josephine
Holub, Helen Engelman and Julius Lister,
and a recitation by Frances G. Chargin.
Antone Pilcovich officiated as
president of the day. In the afternoon a series of exhibition drills were
staged in the court of the Universe, under the direction of Victor Vojvodich, who arganized the Southern
Slavs into one body. The teams were from the Croatian Sokols of
Sacramento, the Bohemian and Croatian Sokols, both men and women, and the
United Sokols. In the evening the united slavonians gave a ball in the
California building.
Salvonic Day-Panama
Pacific Exposition 1915 with Croatian Arms
Croatian Sokols Annual
Dance
1915 Oakland: CroatianSokols of Oakland hold their Annual
Sokol Dance on January 17, 1915.
Croatian Tamburitza
Orchestra
1918 San Francisco: Pavao Agich was born in Djakovo,
Croatia in 1873. He was a barber and founder of Croatian Singing Club
"Preradovich" in Djakovo, Croatia. He had traveled with tamburitza
orchestra’s all over Germany in the
period from 1902-1903. He has worked for several years as a barber in London,
British Columbia, Canada and in Portland, Oregon. He lived in San Francisco
since 1914 and was a member and manager of the Croatian Tamburitza Orchestra in
San Francisco. He is also an active member of Knights of Columbus organization.
Slavonic Annual Banquet
1920 San Francisco: President M. Radonich of the Slavonic Society
to see the Head of Liquor Prohibition Dept. to “see if Society could have wine
at their Annual Banquet.”
Beban Movie Stock Company
1920 San Francisco: The Tivoli has scheduled a show for
next week that should equal if not eclipse anything it has yet offered theatere
goers of San Francisco. There are two big numbers on the program. In both
of them George Beban is the star. One of the features will be presented
on the screen. It is Beban’s first
photodramaa made by his own producing
company. It is called, “Hearts of
Men,” and is said to be the star’s best effort. The other will be presented on
the stage. It is the famous vaudaville
classic, “The Sign of the Rose,” which has caused Beban’s name to be writted
high on the role of stage celebrities. E. M. Asher, manager of the Tivoli,
is responsible for the bringing of Beban here in the act that has entertained
thousands of his fellow townspeople- for Beban is a San Francisco man. It is this fact that caused Asher’s efforts
to be crowned with success. Beban wanted
his picture to go big in his home city and because the local showings precede
those of New York. Much is claimed for “Hearts of Men.” It is said to be a big Italian drama typical
of Beban, with a compelling heart interest and that quaint humor which so marks
his work. Beban has had the picture in the making for a year. In the cast will be his small son, George
Jr., already known to film fans as “Bob White.” The Distinguished Character
Actor George Beban And His Associate Players, Present
“THE SIGN OF THE ROSE”
A Play in One Act by Mr. Beban
Cast
The Detective.......Samuel J. Murphy
The Wardman......Frank Lynch
The Mother..........Pearl Cook
The Father...........RIchard Batlett
The Cashier.........Edith MacBride
The Customer......Florence Daniels
The Italian...........Mr. Beban
Time-Noon, on a summer day.
Scenery
painted by Dodge & Castle. Scenery built by T. B. McDonald Company.
Properties by John Burton. All floral decorations used in this production from
Art Floral Company. 1910-20
Croatian Sokol Flag
Dedication
1920 Oakland:
The 10th Anniversary and Flag Dedication of the Croatian Sokol was held
at the Oakland Civic Auditorium on January 11, 1920.
Orange Festival
1925 Oakland: The Orange Festivals were held in Nick
Shegedin’s Victorian Fraternity
Hall, still standing on the corner of Seventh and Peralta streets. In the
center of the hall would be a freshly cut orange tree, with large juicy fruit
still attached to its branches. But more
fruit had to be added for the expected crowd, and after school on the day of
the festival we boys and girls were given the responsibility of tying on more
oranges. On entering the hall in the evening, the sight was dazzling. The great tree in the center, now resplendent
with spotlights and reflected light, under its boughs a tamburitza (mandolin)
and accordion group poised for overture, and several of the Dalmatian lady
signers (a few well-modulated male voices were included) presented a scene that,
for us children at least, would linger in our memories forever.
At
the appointed hour, usually 10 o’clock in the evening, all would gather for the
grand march- and married couples, engaged couples, and young people with dates
formed a double column. At its head was
the oldest (barba) man and his wife, then in descending chronological order,
all the others. Everyone had to be in the proper place, just as when the
diplomas were handed out, because serenaders had a song uniquely composed for every couple.
As
long as the couples marched past the orange tree, one of us boys or girls would
pluck an orange high up in the branches, and toss it down to the master of
ceremonies, who in turn presented it to the lady of the couple marching by the
tree, the tamburitzas tinkling at the choristers signing at the tops of their
voices:
Dodje Barba Radovan...
Here comes honored Stephen Radovnin,
oldest of our set,
And on his arm the wife he brought
from Lumbarda,
Kata, when both were youngsters yet.
Their hearts and hearths still beckon
children to come and play,
And nourish their souls with the figs
and cookies they gave away.
Zagrlimo naseg Ivu Batistica...
We embrace our John Batisich
and his beautiful Mary,
Daughter of Gridley’s farmer Stuke.
Johns worked, and studied and preserved,
and this year he’ll have his diploma from Berkeley;
We all know John didn’t get his degree just luckily.
Kinship
was important to those early immigrants, but kinship encompassed common descent
from a village, an island, a province.
The Lumbarda Club, formed in 1911 by newly-arrived immigrants from
Dalmatian village of Lumbarda (Island of Korcula) as a mutual-benefit society
to provide funds to bury their dead, still exists. Although the original purpose no longer
applies, the club meets monthly to plan picnics and orange festivals.
Croatian Sokol Festival
1927 San Francisco: Anyone who wishes to know the basic
physical and mental characteristics of the Croatian nation, must acquaint
himself with the Sokol movement, for in the Sokol organzation is clearly
reflected the entire soul of these people, with all the aspirations, which it
has formed in the course of many centuries. Called to the life in
Czechoslovakia, during the period of the great emancipation movement in the
seventies of the last century the Sokol Organization took over the task of
training the Croatian Nation in the
cultivation of the qualities necessary for the struggle for progress and
freedom. Employing methods calculated to draw the inborn good qualities and
capacities of the people, the Sokol organization has, suceeeded in producing
new, healthy and strong generations, capable of carrying out the tasks of an
emancipated nation. Imbuing the whole life of the nation with its democratic
and noble spirit, looking after the harmonious development of all classes in,
its gigantic organization, the Sokol Movement has become one of the most
important factors in the national life, the source of the nation's soundness,
energy and general evolution, and the basis of all the efforts, directed toward
the welfare of the nation. An eloquent proof of this will be made manifest, in
this Sokol Festival, first of its
kind on the western bounds of the great American continent.
Saint Vlaho Day in California
1927 San Francisco: One of the most impressive
celebrations among the Croatians of California is the observation of the Saint
Blaise Day, which was initiated in San Francisco. Saint Blaise (Sveti Vlaho), as all our older
people know, is the patron saint of the ancient Republic of Dubrovnik-Ragusa. It has become in a short pace of time one of
the outstanding events among the Croatians of California. People from all over the State, including Los
Angeles, San Pedro, Fresno, Watsonville, Sacramento and other towns in
California come to San Francisco to take part in this celebration.
Ragusa
and its vicinity; namely, Rijeka Dubrovacka, Zupa Dubrovacka, Konavlje, and
other immediate communities, celebrate Saint Vlaho. The powerful city of
Ragusa, better known today as Dubrovnik.
Due to its favorable location and the business ability of its
inhabitants this city had gradually become a dangerous commercial rival of
another famous city on the Adriatic Sea, the city of Venice. In the rivalry which followed, the little
republic developed a tremendous commerce and wealth, which were the basis of
its greatness. The fifteenth century
marks the golden are of the Republic of Ragusa.
She was commanding a navy consisting of three hundred ships, coined her
own money and had several million ducats in her treasury. The city proper has 30,000 inhabitants. “In
every city of the Peninsula,” writes the scion of the ruling house of the
ancient republic, Knez (Duke) Lujo Vojnovic, “the language of Ragusa was
spoken, settlements were established, and the Catholic churches and chapels
were built.” This indicates that the
Republic of Ragusa had become a great maritime power, which commanded the
respect of the leading powers of Europe.
The republic survived until1808, when Napoleon took possession of the
city and abolished its government.
It
was customary with all European cities of the Middle Ages to have their patron
saints, to protect them form misfortunes and enemies. About 971 A.D., Ragusa chose Saint Blaise,
the one-time bishop of the city, as its protector. During the period of its greatest development
and the establishment of a free state, which took place during the twelfth
century, the emblem of Saint Blaise was adopted as the official emblem of the
republic. Under the flag of Saint
Blaise, inscribed with the word, “Libertas,” the vessels of the merchants of
Ragusa were sailing all over the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, and around
the coast of Africa to India.
The
first celebration of the Saint Blaise day took place in the year 1312, and from
that year on, this celebration has become a regular annual event in the city of
Dubrovnik. In respect to these
celebrations, the aforementioned Knez Lujo Vojnovic writes as follows:
“The
celebration of the Saint Blaise Day, which occurs on February 3, is a solemn event,
accompanied with the discharge of cannons and rifles, waving of flags,
religious performances, and the shouting of enthused citizens. During the stormy history of the city, her
patron saint has seen her rise from a small community to a wealthy state, and
has witnessed all her joys and sorrows.
He protected her from misfortunes and followed her glory form the shores
of the Adriatic to the far-off India.
Recalling her history, your immagination pictures the shadow of the old
Ragusa, moving before your eyes. The
spectacle which the city presents during the celebration is full of magic
colors and profoundly touching scenes.
At the dawning of the day, in the morning breeze, you will witness the
procession of the pilgrims from Zupa and Brgat approaching the city, flying
their flags and accompanied by the discharge of guns. The scene reminds you of some celebrated
painting by Rubens. At Pile the pilgrims
from Zupa meet the multitudes arriving
from Rijeka and the coast towns as far west as Ston, and having saluted
in unison with their flags the ancient walls of the city, they enter the richly
decorated capital of the ancient republic.
The next performance is the flag salute in front of the church of Saint
Blaise are carried, reciting the history of Dubrovnik, blessing the pilgrims,
conducting folk dances and discharging the cannons. In the days of the republic this occasion was
used for pardoning the criminals, holding the patriotic parades and reviews,
celebrating peace and reviving the old Croatian customs. This was the day
of the glory for the chief magistrate of the city, a moment when its citizens
took stock of their navy, and thier wealth, of their great history and the
future prospects.” This description gives us a general view of the manner in which
the Saint Blaise Day is celebrated in Dubrovnik.
Five
years ago some of the older members of our colony decided to give an
entertainment with a short program for the benefit of our indigent citizens
both in San Francisco and in the old country.
Since most of those who took interest in this matter came either from
Dubrovnik of its immediate vicinity, it was agreed to hold this affair on the
Sunday following Saint Blaise Day. Since
no one anticipated a very large attendance, we hired a small hall and did not
do much advertising. We did announce,
however, that we would have the old-country folk dances and a lottery, as
customary in Dubrovnik. We urged our
guests to attend, if possible, in national costumes. To our great surprise, we had so many people that
the hall was not large enough to accommodate them all.
The
news of this celebration spread all over the State, and the following year we
had an even larger attendance that the year before. Since that time, the popularity of the Saint
Blaise Day has grown from year to year, so that today all our people in
California look upon it as an important national affair. Gradually this celebration is assuming the
attributes of the performances as given in the ancient hometown of Saint
Blaise.
The
clear proceeds for this affair are now being distributed among the destitute
Croatian families in the San Francisco Bay cities. On the committee for 1932 were the following:
Anton Vukota, Vlaho Mortigia, John Tomicich, Luka Bogdan,
Anton Petrusich, John Zec, Rade Dumarac, Steve Cvietusa,
Nick Vojovich, Peter Bogdan, Matte Sriensich, Andrew Butrica,
Angelo Cantone, Bernard Markoncich, Jabob Kurtela, Anton Simatovich,
Ilar Spiletak, Jack Markovich, John Skance Jr., Nick Medo,
Nick Sambrailo, John Skance Sr., Marko Lucich, Paul Misich,
Matt Kurtela, Luka Buich, Charles Micich, Chris Petrusich
and Peter V. Knego. I have
endeavored in these few lines to give the history of the Saint Blaise Day
celebration, which is now annually conducted by our people on the Pacific
Coast, far away form our beloved Dubrovnik. May I hope that this brief
description will serve to create the interest in our American-born generation
for the homeland of their parents, and especially for the glorious history of
the ancient Republic of Ragusa.
Hazdovac’s Bet
1927 Monterey: Dalmatians in California liked to make
bets. One of the biggest bets was made in 1927 between Petar Hazdovac from the
Island of Mljet and an American of Monterey. That year the world champion Jack
Dempsey was due to meet his challenger Gene Tunney to decide which of them
would be the future world champion. Petar Hazdovac bet on J. Dempsey and
American on Tunney. P. Hazdovac bet his half of the restaurant "J-P Waffle
Kitchen" which he owned together with John Nodilo in Monterey. Before the
match between Dempsey and Tunney there was much talk among the Mljetans in
Monterey about that bet and every one looked foward impatiently to the day and
hour of the big boxing match. In that match the winner was Gene Tunney so Petar
Hazdovac lost his half of the restaurant which became the property of said
American. A couple of days later P. Hazdovac managed to collect the needed
amount of dollars and redeemed his half of the restaurant. This event was
published by a Monterey newspaper.
Croatian Athletic Club of
Los Angeles
1930 Los Angeles-San Pedro: The Los Angeles Croatian Athletic Club
baseball team played at Navy Field in San Pedro, California near Fort MacArthur
in the 1930’s. The CAC often played against the Chicago Cubs on Catalina
Island off the California coastline during the Spring training in the
1930s. Both the Cubs and Catalina Island
were owned by Phillip K. Wrigley, the chewing gum magnate.Players were Bernie Roselli (the batboy). John Badovinac,
Evo Pusich (long time scout for the
Cubs organization), Jim Roselli, Tom Guich,
J. Cargona, John Vallazo, Mickey
Roth, John Beradino, Matt Stankovich,
Bill Seinsoth, Marin Kristovich,
George Rusich, Nick Vusich, and Matt Pendo.
Hajduk Athletic Club
1930 San Francisco: This popular and very active social and
athletic organization for young men was organized in 1930 and at present has a
membership of 61 of the most active young men in San Francisco and vicinity.
Under the capable leadershiop of Larry Miailovich, 1939 President, and secretary
Tony Markovich. The Hajduks have excellent soccer, basketball, and baseball
teams which in recent years have placed the boys on high sporting plan. The soccer team has placed second in the
California Cup competition.
Sokols of the Pacific
1930 San Pedro: Organized and incorporated in 1930, the
twenty-five young men who are members of this organization meet regularly in San Pedro and carry on their valuable
work. John Boro is the current president, and Mehl Gablich is secretary.
Jadran Athletic Club
1930 San Pedro: The Jadran or Adriatic Baseball Club
played various service teams and also played against the Los Angeles Croatian
Athletic Club.
Sokol Excursion
1932 San Pedro: Croatian Sokols took an excursion on a Dalmatian fishing boat
out of San Pedro on August 1, 1932. Over
fifty members and friends participated with their Croatian musical instruments,
food and red Dalmatian wine.
Croatian American
Baseball Team
1934 Los Angeles:
The Los Angeles Croatian Athletic Club baseball team at Navy Field in
San Pedro, California near Fort MacArthur in 1934. The CAC often played against the Chicago Cubs
on Catalina Island off the California Coastline during Spring training in the
1930s. Both the Cubs and Catalina Island
were owned by Phillip K. Wrigley, the chewing gum magnate.
Lumbarda Club has
Old-Timers Dance
1935 Oakland: Folk dances of the Dalmatian Coast
are featured-amid all the native color of the little islands that dot the
Dalmatian archipelago, members of Lumbarda Club (Island of Korcula) had very
interesting evening with their friends of the East Bay Area. It all took place
last Saturday evening, February 19 at the Fraternity Hall in West Oakland.
Members and their friends arrived early at the scene and the strains of one
single accordion was all the accompaniment they had for the beautiful dances
that the member love to do. Without doubt it was all the music it was
necessary, because when a dance is so graceful one forgets the music of a large
15 piece band and devotes his entire attention on the rythmic movements of the
"kolo" and the "zarucicu" and "poskocicu." Mr. Tony Milina,
president of Lumbarda Club, promised everyone a good time, and with the aid of
his committee composed of Roy Lipanovich,
and John Markovina, it was a great
affair. Similar affairs by Lumbarda Club are promised for the near future.
Watch for the date of their next dance and be prepared for a good time with
your old friends. If a larger crowd intends to be there, however, a much larger
hall will have to be engaged.
Croatian Day
1936 Los Angeles:
The Croatian National Association since its inception in 1936 has
celebrated Croatian Day in Southern California.
In 1970 the following Croatian organizations participated in this grand
event and picnic:
Adriatic
American Benevolent Society, American Croatian Club, Croatian Americna Athletic
Club, Croatian Cultural Club, Croatia Lodge Brnach 972 C.F.U., Croatian
Republic Club C.R.P.L., Croatian-Slavonian Benevolent Society- Branch 177
C.F.U., Croatian Unity, Branch 60, Croatian Catholic Union, Crotian Women’s
Club C.R.P.L., Hollywood Lodge Branch 865 C.F.U., Holy Name Society, Konavosko
Benevolent Society, Los Angeles E.S. Lodge No. 677 C.F.U., Sacred Heart
Benevolent Society- Branch 880 C.F.U., St. Ann ALtar Society, St. Anthony’s
Women, St. Jerome Lodge 37, Croatian Catholic Union, S.N.P.J. Branch 743,
United Hercegovina Catholic Benevolent Society.
Officers
for 1970 were: President...Ivo Metkovich, Vice President...VIncent
Andrews, II. Vice President...Bozho
Deranja, Secretary...Mario Forgiarini, Financial Secretary...Mary Brkich,
Treasurer...Toni Wright, Board of Trustees...Milan Kirin, Luka Bradvica,
Charles Kezman, Attorney...Vincent Arnerich
Croatian Day
1938 San Francisco: Croatians attending last Sunday’s
Croatian Day in San Francisco have no need for such exaggeration, because there
certainly was a packed house for the afternoon program, and twice as packed for
the Grand Ball. A more enthusiastic crowd of both young and old people is hard
to find at any affair- certainly it’s many a moon since such a crowd attended
any Croatian Function here on the west coast.
The
afternoon program opened by M.J. Tudja
chairman of the committee, was excellent.
Senator “Andy” Pierovich’s
treatment of the job as Master of Ceremonies for the entire day deserves
commendation. Starting off in the
Croatian language, he showed he had as good a command of our language as any of
our American born youngsters. Most of the
Senator’s speaking, however, was in English. John D. Butkovich, National President of the Croatian Fraternal Union of
America, addressed the gathering in the Croatian language and Mr. Butkovich is
certainly a master of the oratorical art. Milan M. Petrak, editor of the
Croatian Fraternal Union official organ, also coming here with Mr. Butkovich
from Pittsburgh, spoke on some of the work accomplished by the powerful
organization of American Croatians.
Coming
from Astoria, Oregon., Senator F. M.
Franciscovich, presiding officer of the Oregon Senate, delivered the speech
on “My Impression of the Croatian People” in the English language. After listening to Mr. Francisovich’s
masterful control of the English language, we are not surprised that he has
risen to such great heights in the political machinery of our neighboring
state.
The
appearance of Senator Culbert L. Olson,
escorted to the stage by Math Kovacevich and other leading Croatian democrats,
was the occasion for the noisiest demonstration of the afternoon. He was cheered and welcomed in many ways from
the moment he entered the auditorium doors until he was seated on the
stage. The Democratic gubernational
nominee spoke on his political experiences with Croatian people in the south,
the reports he had received of their activity here in the north and on his
candidacy in general. The audience
certainly left no doubt in the Senator’s mind as to their choice for governor.
Following
the speeches an excellent musical program was presented by our leading local
singers. Vinko Karuza began by rendering two fine numbers, and he was
followed with solos by Mate Culich
Dragun and Miss Anna Fabian, and
Later by a duet combining Mr. Dragun and Miss Fabian.
Crowded
galleries, stuffed-up bar rooms, folk dancing in the lower hall, and a swaying
swinging mass of dancing youth in the main dancing hall, marked the events of
the colorful evening. The Queen of the Day, Miss Katherine Perusina, was crowned by John D.
Butkovich at 11 o’clock and the most colorful and beautiful grand march ever
seen here followed the coronation ceremony. The committee chosen from the forty
participating organizations can never receive all the thanks they deserve nor
could all the profits made on the celebration repay them for the fine job they
have performed and brought to such a successful conclusion. The executive committee consisted of M.J. Tudjia, chairman; N.J. Nikolas, 1st vice president; R.N. Zec, 2nd vice president; J.L. Kerpan, secretary; Miss Katherine Knezovich, assistant secretary; P.P. Tornich, treasurer.
Croatian Catholic Union
Dance
1938 Oakland: Velike Gospe Lodge 93 of The Croatian Catholic
Union will hold their dance at Saint Patrick’s Hall in Oakland on August 13,
1938.
Slavonian Society Picnic
1938 San Jose: The Slavonian Benevolent Society of San Jose
will hold a picnic and barbeque at Napredak Park on August 7, 1938.
Slavonian Picnic
1938 Sacramento: The United Slavonians of Sacramento will hold
their picnic at Madrone Park in Contra Costa County on July 17, 1938.
Velike Gospe Picnic
1938 San Pedro: The Velike Gospe Society of San Pedro will hold
their picnic at Royal Palm Park on August 21, 1938.
Slavic Rod and Gun Club
1938 San Francisco Bay Area: Convinced that a Slavic Rod and Gun
club should be organized in the Bay Area, a group of our most prominent
sportsmen are now in 1938 making plans for the formation of this much needed
group. Outdoor life- hunting, fishing, hiking- are to be activities of the Rod
and Gun Club, or whatever these interested it choose to call it. It is planned
to affiliate with the large American Rod and Gun organizations and work as a
unit therof. Very few meeting will be
held, but instead a great deal of outdoor activity will be arranged. Week-end excursions during the various
fishing and hunting seasons will be sponsored for the members. All Slav
sportsman interested in joining an organization of this type should communicate
with Mr. Paul Gialich, Oakland, California, and let him know what they
think of the plan. Mr. Gialich is
anxious to hear especially from fishing, hunting, an hiking enthusiasts.
Croatian American
Tamburitza
1939 San Francisco: The Croatian American Tamburica Orchestra of
1939 included Joe Babich, John Eterovich, Bill Lonich, Nick Babich, Rudy
Radosevich, Steve Sotur, Jim Kusich, Geroge Persha, Victor Spiletak, Nick
Eterovich and Conductor Ilar Spiletak.
All of the members were American born.
San Pedro Tamburitzans
1939 San Pedro:
The San Pedro Tamburitzans under the dirction of Mr. Joseph Radich
appeared at the world’s fair in San Francisco and performed at Festival Hall on
Treasure Island.
Golden Gate International
Exposition
1939 Treasure Island: Yugoslav Day at the 1939 World's Fair
was sponsored by the United Yugoslav Societies of California. This was the
largest gathering of Croatians ever to be held in the Western United States.
The Slavonic Mutual and Benevolent Society was in the forefront of this
expression of ethnic pride and contributed greatly to its organization and
success. The United Yugoslav Societies Committee published a sixty page book on
this occasion. The Queens of Yugoslav Day were Anka Vasilievich, Misses Katie
Kordich, Dorothy Milosevich, Sophie Cosich, Elizabeth Talia, Winnie Eterovich
and Helen Yugo. The 1930's was a period of understanding, cooperation and
mutual respect amongst Yugoslavic groups in California. Slavonic societies were
at their greatest organizational capacity and energy. Croatian Participating
Organizations were: Slavonic Mutual and Benevolent Society, Mr. J. B. Bilafer, Mr. Ernest Aviani, Mr. Bob
Ivelich, Mr. Marko Anticevich, Mr. John Buzolich;
Croatian
Benevolent Society Zvonimir Dalmacia, No. 876 C.F.U. Mr. Conrad Petrucela, Mr. Anton Ivanetich; Dobrotvorno Drustvo Dalmacija, Mr. Mate
Vranjos, Mr. Anton Jasprica, Mr. Vincent Cetinich. Lumbarda Club, Mr. Roy Sestanovich, Mr. Jerry
Minina. Austrian American Benevolent Assn., Mr. Charles Petrusich, Mr. Marko
Radulovich, Mr. Peter Kristovich. Hajduk Athletic Club , Mr. Alexander
Radonich, Mr. L. Mialovich, Mr. Ted Kovacevich. Croatian Benevolent Society
Tomislav, E.S.L. No. 121, Mr. Anton
Milina, Mr. George Batinovich, Mr. Stephen E. Nietich. Slavonian American
Benevolent Society San Jose, Mr. M. Kralj, Mr. Milton Bujak. Odsjek Napredak,
No. 883, C.F.U., Mr. Paul Mariani, Mr. Nick Tikvica. Society Brac,San Jose, Mr.
Andro Livacich. Strossmayer Council No.
460 Y.M.I., Mr. Antone Pilcovich. United Slavonian Society, Sacramento, Mr. A. Uzelac.
Hajduk Soccer Team
1939 San Francisco: The Hajduk Soccer Team played at the
World’s Fair on Treasure Island. Team
members were: George Biocina, Tony Biocina, Peter Biocina, Mark Radojevich, Al
Radonich, Ted Kovacevich, Bob and Larry Mialovich, Bruno Farcich, Alex Miroff
and Al Kraw.
Austrian American
Benevolent Society Picnic
1940 San Jose: The Austrian American Benevolent Society of
San Jose held its picnic on June 2, 1940 at napredak Hall in Cupertino. The Arrangments Committee included Edward
Stojanovich, Joseph Chargin, Jack Bojto, Rudolph Gurich, George Gurkovich,
Walter Bagar, Steve Kulish and Phil Bagar.
The Frederic Howard Band of Gold will play for dancing.
Crab Cioppino
1941 San Francisco: In February 1929, Sunset Magazine
adopted the editorial policy that still guides it: a magazine of Western living
for people who live in the West. Over the years, the recipes that have appeared
in its pages have become a history of Western tastes. Such factors as climate,
geography, and ethnic mixtures have shaped its regional life style. Informality
and a willingness to experiment are a large part of everyday experiences in the
West. They first presented San Francisco’s famous Cioppino in 1941, crediting
its invention to San Francisco fishermen from the Dalmatian Coast (Croatia)
Dungeness crab is the star of this robust shellfish stew; clams and shrimp add
their flavors, too. It’s traditional to sop up the thick tomato and garlic
sauce with lots of extra-sour sourdough bread.
Pearl Harbor
1941 Hawaii: Navy Chief Peter Tomich killed in
action on the battleship Utah on December 7, 1941 during the Japanese attack on
Pearl Harbor. Peter Tomich received America’s highest honor.. The Medal of
Honor for saving his sailors from death in the engine room and upon going down
the second time, he lost his life.
1941 Hawaii: Sailor John Hazdovac on the Battleship
Arizona was killed in action during the Japanese sneak attack at Pearl harbor
on December 7, 1941.
Croatian Picnic in
Cupertino
1942 San Jose: The Croatian Committee of Central and
Northern California has made all necessary preparations and final plans for its
huge yearly Picnic to be held next Sunday, at the Napredak Park, Cupertino,
California. Seventy-fivie per cent of
the proceeds will got to the Allies’ war relief: Russian, Croatian Fraternal
Union Fund, and to the American Red Cross. A Union Orchestra will play dance
music all day, while the guests will be served a dinner, the main course of
which will be shish kebab. The dinner will be served from 11:30 A.M. to 2:00
P.M. This Picnic is given for The Great Cause- to help those who are out to
destroy fascism. Because of this very
reason every Slav in Northern and Central California should come to it, and, by
having a good time, contribute his “bit” to our fighting brothers who are
spilling thier blood, so that we may have the privilege to get together once in
a while! Remember if the Axis wins this
war, there will be no chance for us to get together freely in public affairs, whether picnics,
shows, dances, or what not. We will see you all next Sunday in Cupertino.
Grand Ball For World War
11 Victims
1943 San Francisco: A gala 1943 new Year's Eve celebration
centering around a grand ball at San Francisco's Civic Auditorium will be
sponsored by seven Slavic groups, comprising some 32 Slavic organizations in
the Bay area with a membership of 50,000. The event, a benefit for Russian,
Yugoslav and Czechoslovakian war aid, will include among its participating
nationalities Croatians, Serbians, Slovenes, Czechs, Slovaks, Russians and
Ukrainians. Jacob M. Lomakin, consul general of the U.S.S.R., and Bohus Benes,
consul general for Czechoslovakia, are honorary chairmen of the general
arrangements committee of which Nick Boskovich is chairman. Girls in native
costumes will be in attendance. Among them will be Helen Dulik
(Czechoslovakia), Ann Pejovich (Yugoslavia), Olga Orloff (Russia), Zena Marshin
(Russia) and Otilia Kurnick (Yugoslavia). The general arrangements committee,
headed by Nick Boskovich, includes W.C. Storek, president of All Slavic Council
of San Francisco; Peter Cengia, president of the Slavic American Council of the
Eastbay and chairman of the publicity committee, and George Vukmanich,
secretary of the All Slavic Council.
Slavulj Croatian Chorus
1946 Los Angeles: In the old country, song and dances
were an essential part of the very day life of our Croatian people. Yesterday's
Croatian extolled the joys of beauty with a stirring song in his heart as he
exhibited a zest for living and a love for nature. Traditional songs of
Croatian heroism were fortunately handed down form generation to generation by
the "guslar", and today many of these themes survive in song, as well
as songs of fellowship, honor, courage and of course, love. For the Croatians
love love above all.
The
early Croatian immigrants brought with them a deeply rooted love of their
homeland which is being traditionally treasured. Singing their beloved songs on
American soil, their heart were transported back to their native land,
subsequently lifting their spirits for the great work to be done in the new
world.
Perhaps
this is why the original founder of "Slavulj", Thomas Fill, (Filkovich) was so eager to
incorporate the "pjesme" into an active singing organization. He had
a vision of perpetuating these colorful songs for the time immemorial. And it
was quite natural that Tom was imbued with this desire, for his native village
was Petrinja, a village in Croatia noted for excellence in song. The voices of
Petrinja were said to be rivaled only by those of the nightingale (slavulj).
The
Croatian tunes were deeply imprinted into the heart of Slavulj's founder where
they naturally sought expression. So it is no wonder that Thomas Fill called on
his best friend, Milan Kirin, on a
fall day in 1946, when he arrived in Los Angeles from Detroit and said,
"Milan, we should start a singing group in Los Angeles." He had
already started "Slavulj" groups in Detroit, Michigan and Monessen,
Pennsylvania, where true to their name, the members were singing like
nightingales all the old songs of their homeland.
These
songs were also planted in Milan Kirin's heart, as well as in the hearts of the
local Croatian community who all joined into the plan of organizing a singing
society. Milan Kirin, and his wonderful wife, Anna, were all acquainted with
the friends and families of the Croatian groups who had settled in Los Angeles,
and urged their support and hospitality, which they gave in true Croatian
fashion.
After
many discussions and meetings, Tom's vision became a reality and the club has
lived up to its slogan, "Pjesmom za dom i narod svoj," as expressed
by its founder. These songs belong to a race whose members, although scattered
throughout America, are proud of their Croatian ancestry as well as their newly
adopted country.
John
Fill, the first director of "Slavulj", and also its present director,
is the son of the founder. John has dedicated himself to keeping alive the traditional
Croatian songs, just as his father before him. He has been assisted in the
club's operation by its numerous members who help to carry on the dedication.
Other Croatian groups also assist in preserving this "culture in
song", particularly the Detroit "Slavulj" who are our guests
today. Their participation in our 20th Anniversary is deeply appreciated by the
Los Angeles Croatian community, and is indeed a tribute to
"Slavulj's" founder. We all join in saying "Fala."
"Slavulj"
was organized as a singing group to promote Croatian songs and love of
friendship among Croatian people and their friends. On this 20th Anniversary of
"Slavulj" Los Angeles, we wish to express our deep appreciation to
all of you who have come together in observance of this anniversary, and to all
of those who have helped to make it possible. The nightingales of Petrinja
would be proud to know that the melodies are being preserved and we hope that
the audience will also be pleased.
Aurora
Kekich Croatian National Association1968.
Croatian Tamburitza
1946 San Francisco: Mr. Ilar Spiletak, Conductor, organized the
Youth Group during the war years. They
performed at many functions in the San Francisco Bay Area. The Group included Mike Rubcich, Katie
Petkovich, Joe Sula, Joe Skitarelic, Theresa Erceg, Anthony Srok, Dolores
Mestrovich, Robert Bozin, Millie Prskalo, Louis Rubcich, John Rubcich, Branko
Pudarich, Vincenzia Petkovich, Dan Bozin and Bob Metrovich.
Blessing of the Fishing
Fleet in San Pedro
1946 San Pedro: Begun in 1946, it grew so large that in
the late 1960s it attracted up to
250,000 visitors. Draped in vestments of white and gold, Carl A. Fisher,
auxiliary bishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles, stood in
Sunday's blistering heat and sprinkled holy water from the bow of the purse
seiner St. Joseph, berthed at San Pedro. "We ask God's continued blessing
upon our fishermen for their safety, for a bountiful harvest, because 'this is
indeed so noble an enterprise'," Fisher prayed. "Be kind, Lord, and
listen to our prayer."
"I
remember from the old days-you couldn't walk here," said a fisherman whose
60 year old cooperative has 21 fishing boat owners down from a high of about
170 in the early 1950s. "You know how many boats there would be here years
ago? Maybe 200. " And compared to the crowds of 200,000 or more that used
to turn out for the blessing. Often when I was a kid, all the boats would
parade with flags like this," he said, gesturing toward the St. Joseph,
which was bedecked in red, white and blue nautical banners for the occasion.
"They all used to go on a cruise of the harbor.
The
blessing of the fleet is an Old World, tradition, brought to San Pedro by the
immigrant fishermen, most Roman Catholic from Dalmatia in Croatia, Italy and
Portugual. Here, the tradition is accompanied by a weeklend-long Fishermen's
Fiesta, replete with carnival rides, ethnic food and a local beauty pageant-the
crowning of the Junior Miss Skipperette.
The parade of boats in which each purse seiner would put on frills and
cruise the harbor was reportedly the second most photographed event in the
nation, trailing only the Pasadena's Tourna ment of Roses Parade.
We
pray in a very special way for the abundance of the fish of the sea, for the
fishermen,, that they will.truly have a great catch."
Croatian Annual Bowling
Tournament
1950 California Cities: Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge 677 is
hosting the 49th Annual California
State Bowling Open Handicap Bowling Tournament. This event is to be held
Memorial Day Weekend, Saturday and Sunday, May 27 and 28, 2000. The tournament
will take place at Bowling Square,
Arcadia, California. Bowling will include singles and doubles on
Saturday and team events on Sunday. Juniors will bowl Saturday morning. The
traditional tournament banquet will be held on Sunday at the Embassy Suites. A
Saturday night get-together is being planned. More details on the social events
of the weekend will be provided at a later date. Tournament Chairperson Richard
Jordan is working very hard to make this a truly enjoyable bowling tournament
and CFU social event. We hope that all bowlers, young and young at heart will
plan to attend this 49th Memorial Day weekend "California" event. It
would be great to see you all! Mary Ann Skoko Tournament Secretary Lodge 677,
Los Angeles.
Saint Anthony Tamburica
and Kolo Club Croatia
1960 Los Angeles: St. Anthony's Tamburica & Kolo
Club "'Croatia" has been an active part of the Croatian
Community in Los Angeles for the past 35
years. With the renowned musical director, Tom Yeseta, leading St. Anthony's
Tamburica (stringed instrument) Orchestra, and artistic director of the Kolo
Ensemble, an accomplished dancer, researcher and choreographer, Zeljko Jergan.
The Tamburica and Kolo group performs elaborate dances showing the extensive
training, effort and research of Croatian folklore, in our Croatian Community
and beyond. We proudly promote cultural riches of our homeland through kolo
dances, songs and tamburica music to people outside of our community as well.
The group has successfully sponsored a Kolo Festival last year at St. Anthony"s Church and hosted groups
from Canada and other parts of the USA.
Veseli Seljaci Tamburitza
Orchestra
1965 Santa Clara Valley: It all begins with one woman.
Caroline Puskarich, a native
of the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area, played in junior tamburitz groups as a
child and then went on the play, dance, and sing in the well-known Duquesne
University Tamburitzans. Moved to
California, she married Afred Bahr in 1962 and settled in Mountain View to begin
her married life.
But
once a tamburitzan, always a tamburitzan, and she missed the dancing, playing,
and singing that she was used to. The
solution was to start up a tamburitza group of her own based upon her past
experience in Pennsylvania. In 1965 Caroline gathered a group of some fifteen
adults who were willing to work at this new experience, found some instruments,
and began teaching in various homes and in the fruit-drying shed on the Sulaver
ranch in Cupertino. Shortly after that
beginning Caroline started several junior groups and the era of the Veseli
Seljaci and its allied groups was launched. By the mid-1980’s the tamburitza
and kolo groups numbered about a hundred participants. Veseli Seljaci played to enthusiastic crowds
at nearly twnety national Extravaganzas and had presented yearly concerts to
large audiences. There were invitations to play in Seattle, several cities
in Nevada, and in southern California.
During their most active period, the Veseli Seljaci recorded 4 LP
records and 4 cassette tapes, and they performed at 15 Tamburitza Extravaganzas
in various cities around the United States.
San Joaquin Valley Junior
Tamburitzans
1965 Fresno: We are happy to clarion the formation
and now the full function of another junior tamburitza ensemble within our vast
fraternal jurisdiction. And, what's even more gratifying is the fact that this
new cultural unit is based on the West Coast where such groups are nowhere near
as numerous as out here in the East. This new gem in our cultural diadem is the
San Joaquin Valley, California Tamburitzans which was organized on February 20,
1965. It operates under the auspices of our Croatian Fraternal Union Junior
Order Nest 269 and Lodge 581 in Fresno, Calif. Bro. William S. Dolenec, the ever active President of
the senior unit, has supplied us with the data on these junior tamburitza
artists. He informs us that the group's premier performance was at the Lodge
and Nest picnic on July 11. just a few days later, on, July 17, to be exact,
they played at the St. Patrick's Catholic church in Kerman, Calif. and had an
enthusiastic audience of over 500 people. They've already been invited for a
repeat performance in Kerman in November. On December 12 they will play for the
Nest 269 Christmas Party. So, they have a full schedule of events and are
joyfully rehearsing for them. The front cover of this issue of your junior
Magazine proudly featured these young artists. From left to right, standing, is
Leo J. Smoljan the devoted director and instructor; Donald Dolenec. playing 2nd
brac; W. "'Randy" Dolenec, on the 1 st brac; Wm. S. Dolenec, Pres. of
the SVJ Tams, 1st prim. Seated, left to right . . Donna Morris, 2nd prim; Marie Smolian,
bugaria; Joyce Morris, 1st prim and Barbara Smoljan, 2nd prim. We commend the
Director -Instructor, Leo Smoljan,
and bro. Dolenec, for all they have done, are doing and will continue to do
with these fine young artists. We commend the youngsters themselves and we heap
verbal orchids on every other individual who has, in any way, helped in this
most worthy project . . in helping to revive and expand this popular facet of
our proud cultural heritage in that area. SVJ Tams, may your future be rife
with music and happiness as you make your notable contribution to the
perpetuation of Croato -Americana!
Santa Clara Valley Junior
Tamburitzans
1965 Santa Clara Valley: A children’s group, the Santa Clara
Valley Jr. Tamburitzans, was also started by Caroline Bahr simultaneoulsy with
the Veseli Seljaci. The group included from left to right: Tom Bahr, Anne Bahr,
Joanne Pakech, Lisa Kalmeta, Christy Wood, Elaine Wood, Marie Brkljacich,
Stacey Brown, Randy Ruzich, Sara Sulaver, Shelia, Pesut, Tammie Kosich, Melena
Adzich, Michelle Pesut and George Adzich.
Croatian Soccer Club
1967 San Pedro: Under the direction of President Tony
Blazevic and coaches Ante Sango and Valentin Hrboka, the team players consisted
of Miljenko Gotovac, Bisero Lisica, Bozo Deranja, Davor Juravic, Dragan
Fistonic, Nikola Ristovski, Dragan Govorcin, Jimmy Naumovski, Boris Antolos,
Jovica Simic, Ivica Kovacevic, Jakov Buterin.
Croatian Kolo Dance Group
1967 Fresno: On September 10, 1967 history was made
in Fresno. For the first time a Croatian "Kolo Dance" group was
formed. They are sponsored by the
Croatian Fraternal Union in Fresno. Members of the group included Donald
Dolenec, Carol Igercich, Barbara Igercich and Gary Subotich. They were very
fortunate in having Vera Jones, a Fresno Recreation teacher volunteer her
services, free of charge and also obtaining the Romain Play ground hall for
free of charge. A very large turnout for a first time was on hand. Vera Jones
smiled and was just as thrilled as we were, as we went through our first steps.
There were 14 adults and 12 juniors present with quite a few more stating they
would make the next dance sessions, which are held every second Sunday at 2
P.M.
Croatian Chorus
1968 Los Angeles: Croatian Chorus “Slavlj” of Los
Angeles, California celebrating 20th anniversary, 1948-1968. Anna Kovacich,
Aurora Kekich, Toni Wright, Goldi Zrna, Director John Fil, Hellen Fill, Mary
Aziz, Anna Kurtnaker, Jane March, Helen
Sirota, Mary Ann Sego, Maria Kornich, Mary Pauls, Rose Hyatt, Annie Volkar,
Mary Aziz, Violet Bachman, Mary Pickard, Mary Delach, Maria Lonengren, Pauline
WIlliams, Helen Jones, Betty Biondich,
Bessie Pavkovich, Frank Pavkovich, Frank Zrna, Robert Hyatt, Tom Goyack, Peter
Vicic, Luka Kornich, Stephanie Cerepinko,
Josef Bachman, Luka Biondich, George Orlich, Roy Williams, Lloyd Crosby,
Joe Mardesich, Peter Radielovic, Dick Beovink,
Barbara Szemeni, Zora Vidusich, Frank Politeo, Frank Bostian, Joe Celik,
Tom Fill.
Tanac of San Francisco
1970 San Francisco: The Tanac tamburitza combo was
organized by George Ruzich and his
sons, Randy and Rob in 1970. Their first engagement was in June of 1971 when
they were invited to perform for a kolo-dancing club of San Francisco Bay Area
dancers who met monthly at Mandala Hall on Taraval in San Francisco. Thus, they
became known as "Tanac" of San Francisco. Their first regular bass
player was Dan Olson. Dan was capable of
playing any stringed instrument from the violin, mandolin and guitar, to the
bass and pianio. He also had an instrument repair shop in Berkeley for any of
the above. From Mandala we graduated to conventions, weddings, picnics, dances,
birthdays and anniversaries. In the early 1990's, our bass player was Tom Bahr.
Poklada Prelenten
Festival
1970 San Francisco: The SMBS Poklanda Festival was
celebrated Sunday, February 26th, at the Slavonic Cultural Center. The day started with Family Croatian Kolos
for all ages. The dance floor was
quickly packed with children, parents and grandparents, dancing the kolos and
having a lot of fun. Many groups performed
during the day to a capacity audience.
Our own Dalmacijo Singers sang our songs in beautiful harmony. They were accompanied by caroline Bahr’s
tamburitza group. Both groups retired to
the bar after the performance and sang and played old favorites all
evening. The rafter shook when the
combined Westwind/Sacred and Profane Choirs, 50 voices strong, sang the famous
choral work from Zagreb, "Landarke".
The third choir the day, the Born to Drone singers, sang a special
program of traditional Croatian and Slovenian songs. The day featured
children’s groups performing right along with the adult groups. Everyone enjoyed watching the children dance,
many of them performing for the first time!
It was the debut of the "Feet First Festival Dancers", the
group of children who have been attending the Monday afternoon dance classes at
the Slavonic Center. Needless to say
they stole the show!
The
Slavonijo Kolo Ensemble from the Center performed the famous sword dance from
Korcula with precision and vigor to the traditional music of the drum and
bagpipe. In between the performances the
Slavonian Traveling Band played kolos, waltzes and polkas for everybody’s
dancing pleasure.
Samoborci Kolo Group
1970 Sacramento:
The Samoborci Kolo Dancing Group were organized with 24 dancers and on
the same date the Kolibrici Kolo dancers had 18 in their group. Ruth Cuthburt was their teacher for over 20
years.
Croatian Fraternal Union
of America 13th Annual Convention
1971 San Francisco: Thousands of people with names like
Bogisich, Cibilich, Ljubetich and Uzovich will converge on the Bay Area from
all over the United States today for the start of the 13th convention of the
Croatian Fraternal, Union of America. Some 5,000 delegates are expected for the
convention, the first to be held in the western United States. A Mass will be
held today at the Croatian Church of Nativity behind San Francisco City Hall in
honor of the delegates. Governor R o n a I d Reagan is scheduled to attend a
picnic, also to be held today, in San Jose at Napredak Park. The convention
will gather for business tomorrow at the Sheraton-Palace Hotel, where a grand
banquet will be held.
Tamburashi
1973 Sacramento:
The Tamburashi of Sacramento were organzied in 1973 at the Croatian
Cultural Center. The instructor was
Zeljko Urban from Stockton, California and then Nick Segina taught the
group. Sixteen people participated.
Croatian Joy Christmas
Float
1975 San Pedro: "Croatian Joy" will, be
among the floats in San Pedro's third annual Christmas parade, set for November
29, 1975 along Pacific Avenue. The entry sponsored by St. Jerome Lodge 17,
Croatian Catholic Union will feature a Nativity scene. Croatian songs will be
sung by children in native costumes. Steve Medak and Anna Yukovcic, spokesmen
for the sponsoring organization, noted that Croatians celebrate Christmas
"as a holy day." No gifts are exchanged, they explained.
Yeseta Brothers Tamburica
Orchestra
1977 Los Angeles: The Yeseta Brothers Tamburica Orchestra was in business and has since
become the most popular Croatian tamburica orchestra in Southern California. It
is also one of the most highly regarded tamburica orchestra in the United
States, achieving national exposure at the Tamburica Association of America's
1982 Tamburitza Extravaganza in San
Jose, California. One of the most important things about Tom, besides his
obvious musical talent, is that he is responsible, reliable and dependable,
even making personal sacrifices to get to his musical engagements. He is also
responsible for carrying on the Croatian cultural heritage here in this country
by promoting Croatian music, both folk and church music for people of all ages
to hear, learn and remember.
Croatian Folk Mass
1977 Los Angeles: Tom Yeseta is the organist at St.
Anthony's Church and in 1977 composed the Croatian
Folk Mass for choir and tamburica orchestra which was a great success. In
1979 he succeed Mr. Bachmann as musical director of the orchestra. Tom went to
a parochial elementary school, Dominguez (Claretian) Jr. Seminary, and attended
Loyola University, where he earned his BA in music in 1971. Music is Tom's life
which he shares with his musician wife the former Annemarie Bullum, and his
eight month old daughter, Katherine Rose, who at this early age shows delight
in hearing music. For the last five years Tom and his brother Greg have played
many professional engagements; this experience has provided them with a wealth
of musical knowledge and entertainment experience.
Croatian Library
1978 San Francisco: Croatian Fraternal Union Lodge
1007 established a Croatian Library which every year sponsors
the Croatian Book Day. In celebrating this event, the lodge invited
lecturers from public life, or organizes a program from within its own
membership. Main topics of the programs
from 1978-1994 were: Father Cuvalo lectured on Zrinski and Frankopan; Ruza Bajuring recited- Croatian Regional
lyric poetry; Tomislav Gabric showed a
VCR tape on Ferdinand Konscak; Ruza Bajurin- The role of Ivan Aracalia in the
Croatian literature; Stephen Schwartz Sarajevo, My love and Ruza Bajurin- 90th Anniversary of Death of
Eugen Kumicic. In addition to these annual celebrations of Lodge 1007, Croatian
films have been shown in the church hall: Tko Pjeva, Zlo ne misli (He who
sings, thinks no evil); Svoga Tela Gospodar (The Master of His Own Body); Medjugorje; CFU Tamburitza Festival in the
Homeland; Lijepa Nasa Domovina etc. The
Croatian Library has published the songs of the Croatian emigrant Odranina in
1986; Croatian In Fifteen Lessons by Ruza Bajurin in 1998; and also that same
year Astro-Lirika Jakova Basica, and in 1989
Croatian Christmas Cookies booklet.
Bogdanovich Park
1980 San Pedro:
Bogdanovich donated a 20 acre park which bares his name,
"Bogdanovich Park", before his death.
Located at 1920 Cumbre Dr., it contains a picnic area, lighted playground,
jogging trails, ball fields and community buildings which contain a full size
gym. The city of Los Angeles named that
park in honor of a man who made an indelible contribution to the economic and
social development of the Harbor Area.
He was a giant in the fishing industry.
He was one of the founders and president of the Dalmatian-American Club
in San Pedro. In both fields he made his
mark. Martin J. Bogdanovich justly deserved this honor. Martin J.
Bogdanovich, an immigrant of Croatian descent, was born on the island of Vis, Dalmatia in 1882. He founded the French Sardine Company, one of
the largest of its kind California, and later founded the Star-Kist Tuna
Company. which is known worldwide.
Croatian Extraganza
1982 Sacramento: The glowing accomplishments of the
Croatian American Cultural Center of Sacramento may certainly be attributed to
each of its members who have delighted in the opportunity to promote our
Croatian identity and culture through numerous activities. No doubt the most
recognized and applauded venture of the Croatian American Cultural Center is
the staging of its annual Croatian Extravaganza held each June, which brings
together thousands of Croatian people, including their families, friends,
neighbors and guests who enjoy this tribute to our Croatian heritage. Now
celebrating its 15th anniversary year, the Croatain Extravaganzas has not only
venerated the beautiful aspects of our Croatian culture in the Sacramento
community but, over the years, has also focused upon the prominent Croatian
professionals who have served the community well and who have earned the
respect of their fellow Croatians. At the annual Extravaganzas, the members of
the committee responsible for each year's event have sought to provide the
finest in Croatian musical and cultural entertainment and have worked to extend
Croatian hospitality to the fullest measure. Because of this determined effort,
the Croatian Extravaganza grows larger with each passing year and continues to
draw well-deserved attention from Croatians locally and nationally. The labors
of the members of the Croatian American Cultural Center of Sacramento have been
worth the time exerted. By taking into consideration every last detail, the
annual Croatian Extravaganzas offer the best in Croatian music, culture, and
cuisine and welcome notable Croatians to participate in these annual
gatherings.
They Sing the Songs of
the Old Country
1982 Watsonville: It’s amazing what you can do with one
enthusiastic choir director and nearly a dozen eager voices. And it’s even more remarkable when the group
is bent on singing in Croatian, when not everyone knows the language. Over the
holidays, various groups heard such a group sing, and the verdict is, this is
the start of something worth mention. “We don’t even have a name yet,” says
organizer Marlene Matiasevich Radovich.
“We heave been singing only a few months, and we’ve been too busy to
think of a name.” We’ll call them the Croatian
Singers, since their goal is to preserve and hand down the vocal music of
their ancestral lands- most of them, that is.
Mrs. Radovich confided to
Watsonville Soroptimists (during their Christmas luncheon) that the singers
have been called Herb’s Harem, in reference to their sole male, tenor Herb
Stocking, who isn’t even Croatian. Stocking
and his wife, Marjorie, became involved through their daughter Pat Gulermovich. “Many of the singers
handle the language phonetically,” explained Mrs. Radovich, who graduated as
a music major from College of Notre Dame
at Belmont. They sing acappella- with no
instrumental accompaniment- in three-part harmony. And they wear the festival costumes of
Croatia. The white dresses, or white
shirt worn with dark trousers for the men, come from the Konavle Valley, near
Dubrovnik, and are still worn by women over 45. Three singers- Kay Butier, Helen Sarich Sirota and Mary Bronner- wear costumes from a
metropolitan area, Zagreb, Croatia distinctive for the heavy embroidery and
rich colors. Others in the choir are Stella Lucich, Mary Doane,
Nadia Nicholas, Jenny Lamat, all born in this country, and
Slavica Kusanovich, who came from
the Isle of Brac, Dalmatia.
Martin-Mate Bogdanovich
Medical Center
1982 San Pedro: On Jan. 9, 1982, the Komizanis of San
Pedro celebrated the first anniversary of the opening of the Martin-Mate
Bogdanovich Medical Center in Komiza, Island of Vis, Croatia. After a
delightful dinner prepared by Ivo Lusich, Joe Zaninovich emceed the program.
According to Mr. Zaninovich, the clinic was named after the late founder of
Star Kist Tuna of San Pedro and was officially opened in Croatia in November
1980. $350,000 so far has been raised by members of the San Pedro-Komiza Sister
Cities Inc. for this clinic. Mr. Zaninovich introduced the board members of
this group, whose chairman is Dr. Mirko Giaconni plus the Bogdanovich family
who were well represented. Honoring the affair and a special guest from Croatia
through Matica Hrvatska, was Poet Laureate Josko Bozanic, Professor of
Literature in Vis, Croatia.
Harmonija Singers
1984: Harmonija from Watsonville,
California thought you might be interested in getting acquainted with our very
own musical ensemble. Besides some twenty voices in our choral group, we have a
very talented group of musicians who accompany us. They are: Naomi Bivins,
playing the Prima, which belongs to the family of Tambura string instruments
and carries the melody, Sena Knornschild is our, accordianist, Steve Zalac
strums the Bugarija, which is lower in pitch than the Prima, John Biskup brings
out the rhythmic background on the Bass, Marge Stocking accompanies our
soloists on the violin. Harmonija will be performing at YACO's 7th annual
barbeque on July 6, 1986 .
Gabelich Park
1985 Long Beach: Born in San Pedro, racer Gabelich was
a lover of high speeds and dangerous challenges. He set a world land speed record of 622.287
mph in the rocket-powered Blue Flame at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah on
October 23, 1970. The feat was listed in
the Guinness Book of Records and stood for 13 years. As a teenager Gabelich won prizes in drag
racing and later he was victorious in off road competitions. In 1975 at Turlock Lake, California, the drag
boat piloted by Gabelich disintegrated at 180 mph. He suffered a crushed kidney, split liver and
separated shoulder. A winner of numerous
prizes and competitions in many types of racing and escaping death in dragster
and boat accidents, Gabelich ironically died in an automobile accident in Long
Beach, California in January, 1984. In
1985 the Long Beach City Council named Gabelich
Park in his memory.
Dalmacijo Singers
1985 San Francisco: The “Dalmacijo Singers” of San
Franicsco were organized a little over ten years ago in 1985 when several
members of the Slavonic Mutual Benevolent Society of San Francisco and the
Croatian Fraternal Union decided they would like to perpetuate our Croatian
culture by singing our songs as a performing group under formal tutelag and
direction. There are currently 14 active
members in “Dalmacijo” from various walks of life who are all
Croatian-Americans with one exception-- and he is married to one. The
singing club has performed at many prestigious affairs over the past 10 years
such as the San Francisco Palace of Fine Arts, the University of San
Francisco, and the exclusive Sofitel
Hotel on the Peninsula, to name a few. Several years ago the Club invited
Caroline Bahr of Santa Clara Valley and her tamburitza ensemble, along with
accordianist, Ed Gorzynski, to accompany them in their various performances.
Caroline and her “Novi-Stari Tamburasi” are well known in the Bay Area
for their musical entertainment and “sing-a-long” festivities.
Croatian Marco Polo
Festival
1985 San Francisco: The SMBS Marco Polo Festival was
celebrated Sunday, September 11, 1994, at the Slavonic Cultural Center. This performing arts festival, unique to San
Francisco, celebrates the Croatian origin of the world traveler, Marco
Polo. Marco Polo maintained a home in
Korcula island near Dubrovnik, Croatia. His home can still be visited today.
The festival featured dance and music from Croatia, Asia Minor, and other lands
along the route of Marco Polo’s travels.
The performing artists included Slavonian Traveling Band and
Dalmacijo. The large crowd attending enjoyed
music and dance that followed Marco Polo’s travels from the Dalmatian Coast of
Croatia through Anatolia and Azerbaijan. Before the festivities there were kolo
dancing lessons for those interested.
Live music and performances followed starting at 4 p.m. The members of our singing group Dalmacijo
put on an especially fine show. They
looked stunning in their new costumes and sounded wonderful. Caroline Bahr and her tamburitza group
accompanied the singers and later played for singing for all in the bar. The Slavonian Traveling band also played a
lively set of traditional kolos for the dancers. Many SMBS members contributed to the success
of the day by singing, playing, or helping out with the food or door. A partial list includes Mary Gervasio, Elsie Euing, Anka Cavrak, John
Daley, Betsy Daley, Lillian Ruzich, George Ruzich, Norma Chambers, Danica Eterovich, Adam Eterovich, Nick Farac, Phil Vuljan,
Marie Vuljan, Nick Pera and Teddy
Vuljan. At our center in our programs, the culture of Croatia is preserved
through the performing and teaching of the authentic songs, dances, language
and instrumental music.
Croatian Tamburitza
Orchestra
1988 San Jose: The Tamburiza Orchestra of the Croatian
Catholic Church in San Jose performed at Saint Vlaho Day. Members of the group are Luka Gudelj, Emil
Jakovcevic, Serge Barbir and Thomas Gudelj.
Kralj Tomislav Kolo Group
1988 San Jose:
The Folk Group Kralj Tomislav of the Croatian Catholic Church in San
Jose performed at Saint Vlaho Day in 1988.
Moreska Dance of Korcula
1993 San Francisco: Slavonijo Kolo Dancers and Dalmacijo
Singers performed the "San Francisco Moreska" at the Poklada Pre
Lenten Festival, February 21, 1993 , renewing an old San Francisco Tradition.
This livcly version included Klapa singing, sword fighting, dancing to the
Croatian bagpipe, and comic dialogue. The most famous dance in Korcula is the
sword dance and pageant performed at Carnival time called "Moreska"
or "Kumpanija". This dance has been also done in San Francisco over
the years. Some San Francisco families have old costumes from turn of the
century versions. This version of Moreska was created by the performing groups
at the Slavonic Center, the Slavonijo Kolo Dancers and the Dalmacijo Singers,
with the help of their friends, children and grandchildren. The performers
included Helen O'Brien-Farac, Elsie Euing-Farac, Peter Bacich, John Daley,
Betsy Daley, Mary Basich Anka Cavrak, Norma Chambers, George Ruzich, Lillian
Ruzich, Danica Eterovich, Bob Kramerich, Loma Swain, and many others. The
province of Dalmatia is well-known for the wealth and variety of cultural
traditions and folklore forms which are preserved to this day. The island of
Korcula occupies a special place in this picture. Despite the island's
turbulent history, the people of Korcula are extremely proud of their Croatian
heritage and cultural identity, which is well reflected in their folklore.
These islanders have maintained some of the older folk customs associated with
Carnival or Poklada festivities. The most significant and representative
folklore form preserved on Korcula is the sword dance. It was once common
throughout Dalmatia but is now done only on Korcula Island. The best known
sword dance is the "Moreska", done exclusively in the city of
Korcula. A second sword dance, called the "Kumpanija", is danced
throughout the various towns of Korcula Island. The most famous version is from
Blato. It is almost exclusively danced during Carnival celebrations. In spite
of the impressive swordfighting, the dance is more than a stylized war dance.
It stems from old pagan springtime fertility rites. The traditional Slavic
figures of the "kolo" or circle symbolize the sun and new life. The
king is sacrificed so winter will end and the crops will grow. The simple
repetitive movement and the heterorhythmic music adds to the magical tension of
the event. The music for the dance is played on a bagpipe ("mih") and
drum. Our bagpipe is copied directly from an original in the community and is
tuned in a scale that differs from our modern music. The "Klapa"
singing in the performance is traditional throughout Dalmatia. Many towns have
a Klapa group and have the tradition of singing informally at social gatherings
in this style.
Novi Stari Tamburasi
Orchestra
1993 Santa Clara Valley: In 1993 several members of the
original Veseli Seljaci retired for the usual summer break and then in the fall
regrouped as the Novi Stari Tamburasi with Caroline as their director.
Veseli Seljaci continued for some years longer, but as some members of
that group retired of withdrew, the original Veseli Seljaci has become at least
temporarily inactive. The Novi Stari Tamburasi continue as an orchestra with a
membership of ten, mostly a nucleus of former members of the Veseli
Seljaci. Rehearsals continue at the Bahr
residence on tuesday evenings, and there are still dates to play at picnics,
special programs, banquets, and private parties, although the major glamor
dates and venues of the past appear less frequently on their schedule. In the
mid-1990’s Novi Stari began palying occasional accompaniments for the Dalmacijo
Singing Society of San Francisco and have formed a warm and close relationship
with that group. Together the two groups
ahve made joint appearances in the Bay Area and in Los Angeles. Thus
the Novi Stari Tamburasi continue to carry on the tamburitza traditions in thee
Bay area and are still enjoying bringing tamburitza music to their audiences.
Bocce Ball Tournament
1995 San Jose: The first Croatian Scholarship Fund
bocce tournament, held on September 23, 1995 at the grounds of the Assumption
of Mary Croatian Catholic Church in San Jose, was a great success. While
enjoying a traditional barbecue dinner, a crowd of 200 fans watched as sixteen
teams of doubles vied for the honors. At the end of some outstanding
performances, Zeljko Sola and Velimir Sulic were declared champions. In close
pursuit were Luka Ukalovic and Jozo Rajic, followed by Vicko Beusan and Jozo
Ivankovic.
The
CSF realized a net profit equal to one-half of a scholarship. A great deal of
enthusiasm was expressed about holding tournaments quarterly, and including
players under 18 years of age.
CSF
and all attendees are grateful to the volunteers who prepared and served
dinner. Ana Barbir supervised an energetic and enthusiastic crew: Nina
Jurjevic, Jasminka Puskaric, Roberta Dlaka, Kata Junic, Stela Saric, George
Kumparak, Pete Vlastelica, Luka Gude1j, Mike Matusic, Zoran Bosnjak, Srecko
Barbir, Ivo Dlaka, and Marko Juri.
CARD PLAYING
The
Mljetan emigrants in America liked to play cards as they brought this practice
from their native island. They often met on weekends and holidays, mostly in
the evening and played, for pleasure, briscole, tressete, solo or bato (mouse).
They mainly used the Italian cards they brought from Mljet. They played for
five or ten cents so that no one could lose much money but they played intently
and with interest as if it were for big money. Gradually they also learned how
to play poker but they played for little money. However, some of them went, in
their youth and before marriage, to the casinos and played for big money.
Mljetans
in America liked to make bets. One of
the biggest bets was made 1927 between Petar Hazdovac and an American of
Monterey. That year the world champion Jack Dempsey was due to meet his
challenger Gene Tunney to decide which of them would be the future world
champion. Petar Hazdovac bet on J. Dempsey and American on Tunney. P. Hazdovac
bet his half of the restaurant "J-P Waffle Kitchen" which he owned
together with John Nodilo in Monterey. Before the match between Dempsey and
Tunney there was much talk among the Mljetans in Monterey about that bet and
every one looked foward impatiently to the day and hour of the big boxing
match. In that match the winner was Gene Tunney so Petar Hazdovac lost his half
of the restaurant which became the property of said American. A couple of days
later P. Hazdovac managed to collect the needed amount of dollars and redeemed
his half of the restaurant. This event was published by a Monterey newspaper.
Their
interest in poker the Mljetan emigrants brought to Mljet. The first to teach
them this game was Petar Djivanovich-Barisa who returned from America to live
in Babino Polje in 1925. He and Ivan Dabelich-Jon, another returnee from
America as well as Petar Dabelich-Seho made this game popular among the
islanders by playing it almost every evening in the cafes of Babino Polje. This
game absorbed some Mljetans so much that they sometimes kept on playing for two
or three days without a break. This game is still very popular on Mljet,
especially in Babino PoIje and this village is widely known for playing for big
money. The pinokoc pinocle is also a game brought to Babino PoIje from America
by Marin Srsen-Car when he returned during the sixties to live in Babino Polje.
This game is now played quite often on the whole island.
THE TAMBURA
The
musical instrument familiar to the Croatian people for their singing and
dancing pleasure is the tamburitza. Without doubt, today, there are more
tamburitza orchestras in America than in Croatia. A great deal of credit must
be given to Mr. Walter Kolar, Director of the Internationally Famous Duquesne
University Tamburitzans. His foresight into the preservation of the Croatian
culture in music, song, and dance through junior tamburitza groups, will long
be remembered. Prior to his coming on the scene at Duquesne, Mr. Matt Gouze was
a leader in this field.
Folk
songs usually resulted from an eventful happening in a village. Today, there
have been many changes in the words which were handed down from the early
generation though the melodies still remain. Festive occasions were known to be
times when songs were sung at weddings, christenings, during the harvest
seasons, stage performances, or for special days of the year such as Christmas
or New Year. Religious songs have left a deep imprint on the Croatian people
and hymns for every Church season are still found today all over the world.
Throughout
the United States and Canada, many choral, dance, theater and musical troupes
have been organized to keep alive the spirit of the Croatian people in the
arts. In Croatia today, opera, concerts, and stage plays, are in great demand
with the artists held in high esteem.
KOLO DANCE
The
beauty of folk dances and the musical accompaniment is something which seems
imbued in the lives of the Croatian people. Their most popular form of dance is
the Kolo, which means a wheel or circle. The Croatian circle dances are usually
found to have singing accompanied by an instrument or a tamburitza orchestra or
both. In many households, the accordion accompanies the group. Many of the
dances find the boys teasing the girls dancers or the entire group teasing a
couple to be wed. An interesting characteristic in the folk dances are
"Poskocice", a term used to describe singing jokes, mimicking or
teasing songs or just plain remarks which are shouted back and forth to each
other. In Croatia, one might see the Kolo performed outdoors on special
occasions, such as, harvests, weddings, religious celebrations to honor a
special Saint, or outside in the garden of the town tavern. More recently, the
dances are performed in meeting halls or may be seen during concerts, festivals
or ethnic celebrations. Probably the most famous folk dance group in America is
the Duquesne University Tamburizans from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.