This year’s AYF Olympics entertainment line-up is one not to miss!
Traditional Armenian music will be found at the Alumni Night, Sunday Grand Olympic Ball, and Monday Picnic. The Saturday Olympic Ball is the place to be for new and fresh Armenian music. If you like our local Boston musicians, the Friday Alumni event will be the place for you. If you love the old favorites, plan to attend the Sunday Grand Olympic Ball. One way or another, there is something for everyone. If you are already convinced and ready to buy tickets, you can skip to the bottom of the article, which has ticket and HyePass information.
The musical entertainment starts on Friday night Aug. 31 at the AYF Alumni Night. The event is being held at the Armenian Cultural and Educational Center (ACEC) at 47 Nichols Avenue in Watertown beginning at 7:30 p.m. The Alumni Night is always marked by fabulous homemade Armenian food and great music. The entertainment will be provided by a collection of local musicians including John Berberian on oud and vocals, Mal Barsamian on saxophone (aside from his usual clarinet), Leon Janikian on clarinet, Stepan Megerdichian on bass guitar, Bruce Gigarjian on guitar, Jay Baronian on dumbeg and vocals, and Paul Mooradian on daf. For our younger generation, the AYF Dance will take place in the Grand Ballroom of the Westin Boston Waterfront Hotel with musical entertainment provided by our very own DJ Rams (Aram Kayserian).
A very exciting addition to this year’s Olympic entertainment line-up is Armenchik (Armen Gondrachyan), a Yerevan-born, 32-year-old award-winning pop singer. He has already produced over 12 CD’s and numerous music videos with many hit songs. He has played concerts for Armenian fans in Montreal, Beirut, Boston (2010 Kermesse), Moscow, Nagorno-Karabagh, Germany, Holland, Belgium, and Spain. Armenchick brings an exciting level of musical entertainment not seen before at an AYF Olympics. Armenchik and his band will perform on Sat., Sept. 1 at the Westin Waterfront with doors opening at 8 p.m. Tickets for this dance are being sold in advance and separately from the Hye-Pass (see below for details).
In true Olympic fashion, dance in style as we welcome back Onnik Dinkjian and the Olympic All-Stars for the Olympic Grand Ball on Sun., Sept. 2 with doors opening at 8 p.m. Dance away to John Berberian on oud and vocals, Mal Barsamian on clarinet, Ara Dinkjian on keyboard, Bruce Gigarjian and Ron Tutunjian on dumbeg, and Paul Mooradian on daf. Join us at the Grand ballroom at the Westin for this special evening as we crown this year’s winning chapter!
Finally, cap off Olympics and Labor Day weekend with a visit to Camp Haiastan for our farewell picnic on Mon., Sept. 3 starting at 11 a.m. Enjoy some great kebab dinners and if you’re feet aren’t sore from the weekend, dance and enjoy music provided by Mal Barsamian on clarinet, Leo Derderian on oud, Jay Baronian on dumbeg, and Bruce Gigarjian on guitar. Come and enjoy good food, music, and company, and take a stroll down memory lane to the lower camp.
How to buy tickets
To buy tickets, go to the Olympics website (www.ayfolympics.org) and then the tab marked “Buy Tickets and HyePass.” Tickets for Friday night events will only be sold at the door. Tickets for the AYF Alumni Night are $25 and tickets for the AYF Dance are $15. Tickets to the AYF Olympic Ball featuring ARMENCHIK are $45 in advance and $50 at the door. Tickets to the AYF Olympic Grand Ball are $30. Tickets for both Saturday and Sunday events are also being sold separately online at the web address above. No tickets are required for the Farewell Picnic on Monday. Lastly, save 30 percent and purchase a HyePass for $85. The HyePass will grant entry to all the dances mentioned above. Do so soon, by Aug. 15!
Ad Book
Don’t be left out from this year’s commemorative Ad Book. Be sure to submit payment and content either online (by e-mailing adbook@ayf.org) or by mailing your check, made out to AYF Olympics Boston, along with your ad content to PO Box 325, Belmont, MA 02078. For an ad book form, or to pay online, visit www.ayfolympics.org and click on the “Ad Book” tab in the menu bar.
Calling all golfers
Relive your AYF competitive days and challenge fellow AYF alums and golf enthusiasts to a round of golf by participating in the AYF Alumni Golf Tournament being held on Fri., Aug. 31.
You’ll be playing at the gorgeous President’s Golf Course in Quincy, Mass. For $100, you’ll enjoy a round of golf, lunch, the Boston skyline, and the company of your friends from near and far.
Visit www.ayfolympics.org and click on the “Athletic” tab to download the golf form. Be sure to fill out and submit with payment to the address listed on the form. Deadline to sign up for the Alumni Tournament is Aug. 15.
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