ALFI NIPIČ in Njegovi Muzikanti

Petek 23 Julija - Friday, July 23 2004

KSKD je ponosno pozdravili v Winnipeg 23. Julija, enega od največjih umetnikov Slovenske glasbe - Alfi Nipič.

To je bila ena zelo posebna priložnost za uživanje zabave “Alfi Nipič in Njegovi Muzikanti”. Na tem nastopanju smo slišali njegove imenitne uspešnice zadnjih čez 40 let, kot solist in kot glavni pevec ansambla Bratov Avsenik. Od polk in valčkov do sodobnih zvokov, to je bilo zelo zabavni in nepozabni večer!

Once again, the Canadian Slovenian Cultural Society (CSCS) had a very memorable evening with musicians from Slovenia. On Friday July 23rd , 2004, Slovenian musical legend, Alfi Nipič in Njegovi Muzikanti, performed for our community.

The planning for this evening occurred in the spring time, and the CSCS and it members will be forever indebted to Milan Stefanec from Stoney Creek Ontario, who offered the services of Alfi to our community in Winnipeg. Without Milan’s generosity, our very special evening would have never occurred! Hvala Lepa Milan!!

Alfi was accompanied by his musicians, Tone, Jože, Franc, Branko and Zlatko, and was also joined by his son Dejan, who is the sound engineer for this ensemble. Also joining the entourage was Milan Stefanec. While Alfi and his group were scheduled to perform in Winnipeg on Friday, they arrived in Winnipeg on the Wednesday so that they could tour the city of Winnipeg.

During their time before their show, the CSCS hosted the ensemble, and showcased the city of Winnipeg by taking our guests to the Manitoba Museum, The Forks and Lower Fort Garry. As with all tourists, they appreciated the uniqueness that makes Winnipeg special, and where particularly intrigued by the original settlers to Winnipeg, and in the native culture that was present over the centuries.

The band also enjoyed a lunch time gathering at DeLuca’s restaurant. Over plates full of pasta, glasses brimming with wine and freshly cut bread, songs began to be sung, and before too long, the ladies working the kitchen were applauding the efforts of Alfi and his band! A very special time was enjoyed by the band, and the generosity of DeLuca’s was very much appreciated!

Thursday evening provided a unique opportunity for our community, as the CSCS hosted a pot luck supper at our church hall, with Alfi and his band as special guests. While the food prepared by our members was fantastic, everyone was excited, as we all received a sneak preview of Alfi and his band playing, during their sound check. Even though supper ended quickly, not a single soul left the hall, until the band completed their sound check. From the famous instrumental ‘Na Golici’ to the equally famous ‘Tam Kjer Murke Cveto’, all where in awe of having this great group of musicians and singer within our midst.

Friday evening eventually did arrive, and when the doors opened, people were already waiting to get in. No doubt it was to secure a ‘choice seat’ as the event was sold out! At a few minutes past 7:00, I introduced Alfi Nipič in Njegovi Muzikanti, and the evening was underway. During the first segment, the audience enjoyed a special 45 minute concert, where the band entertained us first with what is perhaps one of the most famous polka ever written, Na Golici, and upon conclusion of the opening instrumental, the man that all came to see took centre stage. Alfi thanked all the people for coming, and proceeded to sing ‘Slovenija Odkot Lepote Tvoje’. The wait for so many people was over, and the ovation was thunderous. Being the master entertainer, Alfi was at ease and immediately went into telling us jokes, and followed that up with more songs. Alfi also brought to our community best wishes from Bratov Avsenik. Unfortunately our community never had the opportunity to host the Avsenik’s, but through Alfi being here, a piece of Slovenian history was brought to Winnipeg. One of his last songs in the concert ‘Bog Ti Živi’, was modified a bit to include Winnipeg in the song. Alfi, through this song, wished our community lots of God’s Blessing, and wishes for at least a 100 years of togetherness. Many people had tears welling in their eyes, and the joy was overwhelming! Upon conclusion of his concert, the applause was tremendous!

After a light supper, Alfi with his band came back, and entertained us with great songs that were written by Alfi himself, or classics from Bratov Avsenik. People immediately recognized many songs, and the smiles this evening were very contagious! You could see that Alfi was a seasoned and professional singer, as he not only entertained us with his wonderful singing voice, but kept the evening rolling with his conversation. His band also performed many instrumental songs, and they were marvelous. The quality of this band is second to none.

Some special people also had the tremendous luck to have some special events occur during this time, and were awed to have Alfi Nipičc play a dedication for them, live. Congratulations to John and Frances Gornik who celebrated their 34th wedding anniversary, and also to original members of our community Slavko and Lojska Slejko, who were celebrating their 55th anniversary of their wedding.

The evening was filled with highlights, but none would compare to the honour and privilege that was bestowed upon Hilda Terry. Hilda has been a long time member of our church choir, and has sung in public many times, but now she was asked to join Alfi on stage and sing a duet with Alfi, of an Avsenik classic, ‘Tam Kjer Murke Cveto’. Hilda’s voice blended beautifully with Alfi’s, and both were smiling throughout the entire song. We are all sure that Hilda will not forget this evening for a long, long, long time!

All types of music were covered during the evening, including polka’s, waltzes and pop. As soon as the pop music started, a conga line was formed and a limbo stick was brought out. The smile on the Alfi and the band’s faces stretched from ear to ear! Perhaps the greatest compliment a singer and a musician can receive is seeing that their brand of music is so well appreciated.

As with all great evenings, the end came much too quickly, but the memories will last a lifetime for many. It was truly an evening that will go down in history in our community.

The CSCS would like to once again thank Alfi, Tone, Jože, Franc, Branko and Zlatko for adding Winnipeg to their list of venues that they have performed. We hope that the joy you brought to us, was repaid to you in a small way, by our enthusiastic response to you and your brand of music. We hope that we would have the honour of hosting you again in the not too distant future again!

Stan Majowski

Canadian Slovenian Cultural Society Inc.

Winnipeg, Canada

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