The last months has been eventful. Armenstock... then Olympics, then days later I'm on a plane to Armenia. I covered Armenstock, now Olympics.
The return of Harout, Chicago won Olympics, West Coast invasion, Karnig Sarkissians debut performance... so many things made this year unique. My favorite was that Chicago won the whole thing. For those who may not know, there are actual athletic events that go on this weekend. AND, for the last 25 or so years, the only two chapters that have won are Detroit and Providence. For the first time in a quarter decade, another chapter won. For the first time ever, Chicago won. Since it was in their hometown, it made sense.
The West Coast continued to send more folks... to attend, not participate. Perhaps next year they can participate. Every year there are more new faces. But the difference this year was that everyone attended the dances. This was refreshing.
Harout came back, appropriately to the city that introduced him to Olympics in the first place. Karnig sang for the first time ever, drawing a lovely mixed crowd of East Coast, West Coast and Canadian Armenians throughout the night. Apparently there was a nice Montebello clan of musicians outside in the lobby kefing Hayastansi style with the accordian and all.
Aravod played very well, so did the all stars. It was a great weekend full of drama and excitement. You can see full coverage in the Armenian Weekly soon, with a 16 page spread and photos from myself and the infamous Tom Vartabedian who has been reporting on the Olympics for 35 years now. An institution, he is.
Now Armenia. Only 48 hours after my return to DC, I was on another flight to Vienna, then Armenia. 5 days later, I'm still jetlagged, but having a blast. I have already seen Nune perform live with French singer Patrick Fiori (whom I preferred to be honest). I love Nune as much as she does (if that's possible), but that was not her best performance. Particularly because Patrick lit up the stage. Apparently he's half Armenian.
Otherwise, I'm being very lazy, catching up on much needed sleep, spending a lot of time at my dear friend Sam's restaurant Square One which is wonderful and very successful. I'm going to Artsakh on Friday, met some lovely people, the typical "I just got to Armenia and have done more in a day here than what I do in a month in America" type stuff.
More later!
The return of Harout, Chicago won Olympics, West Coast invasion, Karnig Sarkissians debut performance... so many things made this year unique. My favorite was that Chicago won the whole thing. For those who may not know, there are actual athletic events that go on this weekend. AND, for the last 25 or so years, the only two chapters that have won are Detroit and Providence. For the first time in a quarter decade, another chapter won. For the first time ever, Chicago won. Since it was in their hometown, it made sense.
The West Coast continued to send more folks... to attend, not participate. Perhaps next year they can participate. Every year there are more new faces. But the difference this year was that everyone attended the dances. This was refreshing.
Harout came back, appropriately to the city that introduced him to Olympics in the first place. Karnig sang for the first time ever, drawing a lovely mixed crowd of East Coast, West Coast and Canadian Armenians throughout the night. Apparently there was a nice Montebello clan of musicians outside in the lobby kefing Hayastansi style with the accordian and all.
Aravod played very well, so did the all stars. It was a great weekend full of drama and excitement. You can see full coverage in the Armenian Weekly soon, with a 16 page spread and photos from myself and the infamous Tom Vartabedian who has been reporting on the Olympics for 35 years now. An institution, he is.
Now Armenia. Only 48 hours after my return to DC, I was on another flight to Vienna, then Armenia. 5 days later, I'm still jetlagged, but having a blast. I have already seen Nune perform live with French singer Patrick Fiori (whom I preferred to be honest). I love Nune as much as she does (if that's possible), but that was not her best performance. Particularly because Patrick lit up the stage. Apparently he's half Armenian.
Otherwise, I'm being very lazy, catching up on much needed sleep, spending a lot of time at my dear friend Sam's restaurant Square One which is wonderful and very successful. I'm going to Artsakh on Friday, met some lovely people, the typical "I just got to Armenia and have done more in a day here than what I do in a month in America" type stuff.
More later!
posted by Arsineh at 9:30 PM
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