Events Happening Around the World
Explore vibrant celebrations of Russian culture and heritage across the globe. From classical music and traditional dance to art exhibitions and culinary showcases, these events highlight the richness of Russian traditions. Stay updated on upcoming gatherings and connect with the global Russian community today!
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Discover the elegance, posture, and grace of classic ballroom dance at weekly group Waltz classes hosted at the Russian American Club in Gulfport! Whether you are preparing to attend the annual Russian Heritage Winter Ball or simply want to learn to dance an elegant waltz, these classes offer a welcoming community atmosphere focused on musicality, movement, and social connection. Class Overview: Event: Group Waltz Classes (Russian Heritage Winter Ball Preparation) Date & Time: Every Thursday evening, starting October 8 | 7:00 PM Admission: $10 per class Partner Policy: No partner necessary - all levels are welcome Instructor: Ekaterina Kolmogorova Venue: Russian American Club of St. Petersburg - 2920 Beach Blvd S, Gulfport, FL 33707 Inquiries & Registration: Call or text Ekaterina at (727) 641-1811 What to Expect Foundational Waltz Instruction: Learn essential waltz timing, the characteristic rise-and-fall movement, proper frame, elegant posture, and smooth footwork patterns. Winter Ball Readiness: Designed to help attendees feel confident, polished, and comfortable moving across the floor at the upcoming Russian Heritage Winter Ball. Welcoming to Solo Dancers & Couples: You do not need to bring a partner to join. Dancers rotate during instruction, providing an easy way to practice lead-and-follow technique and meet other dancers. Expert Guidance: Taught by Ekaterina Kolmogorova, an accomplished professional performer and veteran ballroom instructor with many years of teaching experience at Fred Astaire Dance Studios.
❄️ Save the Date! ❄️ Something special is coming… Russian Heritage is delighted to announce the 31st Annual St. Petersburg Winter Ball! This year, our cherished tradition will continue at an elegant new venue — Hilton St. Petersburg Carillon Park. Please mark your calendar: Saturday, January 30, 2027 Hilton St. Petersburg Carillon Park An unforgettable evening of elegance, music, dancing, and celebration awaits! More details, including ticket information and the official flyer, will be announced soon. Stay tuned! #russianheritage #winterball
The annual Soup Contest at the Russian-American Club in Gulfport once again brought together lovers of good food, warm conversations, and Russian culture. Guests eagerly shared their favorite family and national recipes, making the event a true celebration of culinary traditions. The traditional Ufimka soup attracted special attention, while the rich and flavorful solyanka was another crowd favorite. This year’s winner was the beloved borscht, which earned first place. The delicious cuisine was beautifully complemented by theatrical scenes based on Ivan Krylov’s fables, presented as part of a program sponsored by Russian Heritage. We would also like to thank local artist Alena Nelina, whose wonderful stage decorations were donated by Russian Heritage to the Russian-American Club. Events like these remind us that food, art, and literature have a unique way of bringing people together and preserving our cultural heritage. #russianheritage
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Another wonderful evening with our Russian Heritage community! This time we stepped into the timeless world of Ivan Krylov’s fables. Through humor, wisdom, and unforgettable characters, we rediscovered stories that have inspired generations. What makes these evenings truly special is not only the literature, but the people. Russian Heritage brings together so many beautiful, talented, creative, and passionate individuals. Every gathering is filled with laughter, meaningful conversations, and a shared love for culture. A special thank you to Evgeniya Davenport for organizing such a thoughtful and inspiring event. Your dedication helps keep our cultural traditions alive and brings our community even closer together. Looking forward to many more unforgettable evenings together!
Happy Independence Day, America! 🇺🇸 Today we celebrate one of our nation’s most meaningful holidays - the Fourth of July. America has always been shaped by people from many cultures and backgrounds. Among them were immigrants and descendants from Russia who contributed to American science, medicine, education, business, engineering, and the arts. Russian cultural heritage has also become part of America’s cultural landscape. Millions of Americans have enjoyed the music of Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, and Stravinsky. For decades, Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture” has been a beloved part of many Fourth of July celebrations, with its majestic church bells, cannon fire, and spectacular fireworks. It reminds us that music, culture, and shared human values have the power to bring people together across borders and generations. On behalf of Russian Heritage, we wish everyone a joyful Independence Day filled with peace, freedom, hope, and gratitude. Happy Fourth of July! 🇺🇸
The Russian-speaking community of Tampa Bay is vibrant, close-knit, and wonderfully creative. Our June culinary competition was enriched by performances of Krylov's fables, showcasing our love of literature alongside our passion for great food. Of course, no gathering would be complete without singing and dancing.
Russian Heritage, in collaboration with Evguenia Davenport, warmly invites you to a unique evening where literature transforms into live theater and fables gain a fresh and unexpected voice. The event will be primarily conducted in Russian, but readings of fables in English are welcomed! Our evening is inspired by the fables of the great Russian writer Ivan Andreevich Krylov — stories of the cunning Fox, the proud Crow, the wise Ant, and the carefree Dragonfly — tales that are wise, ironic, and surprisingly relevant today. We invite you to immerse yourself in an atmosphere of literary playfulness, theatrical improvisation, and culinary imagination. Evening Program: • Mini theatrical scenes and improvisations inspired by famous fables 🎭 • A creative menu inspired by characters and storylines 🧀 • Themed cocktails named after fables 🍸 • Grapes, cheese, and the philosophy of fables 🍇 • “The Fox and the Grapes” photo area 📸 • Literary games and unexpected interpretations of familiar stories 📜 • An atmosphere filled with creativity, humor, and imagination ✨ • Meaningful social interaction where every guest can become part of a small theatrical performance • Karaoke 🎤🎵 and a “Dragonfly Summer” Disco at the end of the evening for everyone who wants to dance and embrace their inner Dragonfly on the dance floor 💃🕺 A world of the cunning Fox, the thoughtful Crow, the hardworking Ant, and the carefree Dragonfly awaits you — reimagined through a creative, theatrical, and playful lens. Come with a good mood, a sense of humor, and a willingness to become a character in a fable for one evening. Date: Saturday, June 6 Time: 5:30 PM Location: The BAG, Loft-Garage, Unit 203 & Clubhouse (Address: Motocave, 2051 Gandy Blvd N, St. Petersburg, FL 33702) Dress Code (recommended but not required): Fable characters or 19th-century literary salon attire. Admission: General $45 (includes one complementary drink) / VIP $55 (includes primary sitting and 3 complementary drinks) Payment via Zelle or Venmo: Evguenia Davenport Phone: (727) 644-2922.
Attention! Invitation to a Themed Literary-Theatrical Evening & Costume Party: “The Fox and the Grapes: A World of Fables” Dear Friends, Russian Heritage, in collaboration with Evguenia Davenport, warmly invites you to a unique evening where literature transforms into live theater and fables gain a fresh and unexpected voice. The event will be primarily conducted in Russian, but readings of fables in English are welcomed! Our evening is inspired by the fables of the great Russian writer Ivan Andreevich Krylov — stories of the cunning Fox, the proud Crow, the wise Ant, and the carefree Dragonfly — tales that are wise, ironic, and surprisingly relevant today. We invite you to immerse yourself in an atmosphere of literary playfulness, theatrical improvisation, and culinary imagination. Evening Program: • Mini theatrical scenes and improvisations inspired by famous fables 🎭 • A creative menu inspired by characters and storylines 🧀 • Themed cocktails named after fables 🍸 • Grapes, cheese, and the philosophy of fables 🍇 • “The Fox and the Grapes” photo area 📸 • Literary games and unexpected interpretations of familiar stories 📜 • An atmosphere filled with creativity, humor, and imagination ✨ • Meaningful social interaction where every guest can become part of a small theatrical performance • Karaoke 🎤🎵 and a “Dragonfly Summer” Disco at the end of the evening for everyone who wants to dance and embrace their inner Dragonfly on the dance floor 💃🕺 A world of the cunning Fox, the thoughtful Crow, the hardworking Ant, and the carefree Dragonfly awaits you — reimagined through a creative, theatrical, and playful lens. Come with a good mood, a sense of humor, and a willingness to become a character in a fable for one evening. Date: Saturday, June 6 Time: 5:30 PM Location: The BAG, Loft-Garage, Unit 203 & Clubhouse (Address: Motocave, 2051 Gandy Blvd N, St. Petersburg, FL 33702) Dress Code (recommended but not required): Fable characters or 19th-century literary salon attire. Admission: General $45 (includes one complementary drink) / VIP $55 (includes primary sitting and 3 complementary drinks) Payment via Zelle or Venmo: Evguenia Davenport Phone: (727) 644-2922 Advance payment is required as seating is limited. The deadline is Wednesday, June 3. 2026. Come celebrate creativity, imagination, and the power of literature! We look forward to seeing you at our literary-theatrical celebration!
А вы знали, что в США каждый год проходят фестивали русской культуры, которые собирают тысячи людей? В Нью-Йорке ежегодный фестиваль русского наследия на Брайтон-Бич включает традиционные народные танцы, живое исполнение на балалайке и шахматные турниры, которые собирают семьи разных поколений. На Западном побережье, в Сиэтле, на фестивале русского искусства выступают православные хоры и проводятся мастер-классы, например, по росписи матрёшек. А в Сан-Франциско русский фестиваль, организованный собором Пресвятой Богородицы, сочетает аутентичную кухню с культурными выставками. Такие мероприятия показывают, как культура может жить и меняться за пределами страны происхождения. На сценах соседствуют классические и современные выступления, а ярмарки и общественные активности создают живую атмосферу праздника и креативности.
Сегодня мы собрались на Красную горку с замечательными друзьями и отлично провели время - была очень дружественная атмосфера, приятная музыка и изысканная еда. Русско-американский клуб в Галфпорте объединяет друзей и щедро дарит им свое гостеприимство.#russianheritage #russianamerican #russianamericanclub
✨ Happy Orthodox Easter! ✨ On this beautiful and meaningful day, may your heart be filled with light, peace, and renewed hope. May love, kindness, and faith guide you and your loved ones, bringing warmth to your home and joy to your soul. Wishing you harmony, good health, and many bright moments to cherish. May this Easter bring new beginnings and quiet happiness into your life. Christ is Risen! Truly He is Risen! ⸻ ✨ Светлой Пасхи! ✨ В этот светлый и радостный день пусть в вашем сердце живут мир, любовь и надежда. Пусть тепло, доброта и вера наполняют ваш дом, дарят радость и вдохновение. Желаю гармонии, здоровья и множества счастливых мгновений рядом с близкими. Пусть Пасха принесёт обновление, спокойствие и внутренний свет. Христос Воскресе! Воистину Воскресе!
The ensemble ZOLOTOJ PLYOS performed at the University of South Florida and the Russian American Club, and both events became cultural milestones in the Tampa Bay area. Guests warmly responded to the musicians’ high level of professionalism and sincerity, which created a truly lively and heartfelt atmosphere. Both concerts were proudly supported by Russian Heritage, whose sponsorship helped make this memorable evenings possible.
Today we celebrated the 50th Annual SPIFFS International Folk Fair in Pinellas Park! For fifty years this wonderful festival has been bringing together cultures from all over the world — through music, dance, traditional food, crafts and friendship. It was a joy to see so many nations sharing their heritage and traditions. The Russian cultural booth was filled with beautiful costumes, smiling children, and warm conversations with visitors interested in our culture. Events like this remind us how important it is to celebrate diversity, learn from each other, and build bridges between cultures. Thank you to the organizers, volunteers, and everyone who came to share this special day. 🌍 Culture connects us. ❤️ Community makes us stronger. #SPIFFS #InternationalFolkFair #russianheritage #CulturalDiversity #InternationalCommunity
Russian Heritage is proud to sponsor two performances of a folk group ZOLOTOJ PLYOS. The concerts will take place at USF and the Russian American Club at Gulfport Zolotoj Plyos is a unique folk-ensemble from Europe, whose members sing and play songs and instrumental tunes from Eastern Europe. They perform the oral traditions of many regions, singing their songs in languages like Russian, Belorussian, Ukrainian, Georgian, Roma, Armenian, and Yiddish. All three musicians are highly educated and play multiple musical instruments such as the accordion, clarinet, guitar, balalaika, bagpipes, domra, pan-flute, saxophone, jaleyka, and a variety of percussion instruments. In total, they bring with them over 30 musical instruments. “Zolotoj Plyos” was founded in 1994 in the city of Saratov. Its members are Alexander Solovov, Elena Sadina, and Sergei Grachev. All three group members graduated from the Saratov State Conservatory and are professional musicians. Alexander, Elena, and Sergei also graduated from the The "Jef Denyn" Royal Carillon School in Mechelen, Belgium, the Antwerp Conservatory, and the University of Leuven. They have won prizes at a number of international music competitions. “Zolotoj Plyos” have performed in Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Germany, Russia, Switzerland, Luxemburg, Portugal, and the USA. Over the years 2000-2025, “Zolotoj Plyos” made 17concert tours of the United States. The ensemble was given the honor of performing in Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in Washington D.C., in the main hall of the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory, and also in the main hall of the State Academic Choir in St. Petersburg. The three members of “Zolotoj Plyos” are professors of music and for 25 years have directed the Choir of the Middlebury College Kathryn Wasserman Davis School of Russian at Middlebury College (Vermont, USA). Alexander, Elena, and Sergei are “Musicians in Residence” in Middlebury College (VT, USA) and Wellesley College (MA, USA). At the present time the members of “Zolotoj Plyos” live and work in Belgium.
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This is our photographer sharing his google photo links from the Ball. Save what you wish, the links wont be up long!! So, go thru them, and SAVE ASAP... Russian Heritage Winter Ball 2026 Photos Step & Repeat https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/16ORPJycn2iONjpxg-3M5ZqZiv8z0CqwJ?usp=sharing Ballroom Area https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1oyaA0F5VEHT3KicJL1_BCd0aVfPP93wt?usp=sharing
Dear Winter Ball Guests, Thank you so much for attending our Ball. We truly appreciate you being part of such a beautiful and memorable evening. Your presence made the event special, and we are grateful for your support. We are happy to share the link to the event photos below. Please feel free to view, select, and save your favorite pictures as soon as possible for your personal keepsake. https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/16ORPJycn2iONjpxg-3M5ZqZiv8z0CqwJ?usp=sharing https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1oyaA0F5VEHT3KicJL1_BCd0aVfPP93wt?usp=sharing https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1QjszRaMl5aUgIZNCe1LKeqqkLBr8LpqA?usp=sharing Once again, thank you for celebrating with us. We hope you enjoyed the evening as much as we did, and we very much look forward to seeing you again next year.
A heartfelt thank you to our sponsors—Triumph Roofing, Verras Law, Natalya Halprin (Charles Rutenberg Realty), Babyshka’s Restaurant, Trenam Law, and CONTENU. Special thanks to our main sponsors over all these years, Margo and John Catsimatidis. Your generosity and continued support make this wonderful Ball possible.
Our 30th Winter Ball was a great success, welcoming nearly 300 guests from Tampa Bay and beyond. Elegant and festive décor, lively music, and fiery dance performances showcasing the best of Slavic culture made the evening truly unforgettable. This anniversary Ball was dedicated to raising funds for the installation of a statue honoring Peter Demens, the founder of St. Petersburg, Florida.
The Russian Heritage Board of Directors has been working tirelessly for weeks and months to prepare for this special evening. Every detail has been thoughtfully planned to make tonight truly unforgettable as we celebrate a milestone — the 30th Annual Winter Ball. ✨ Tonight, January 24, we gather in St. Petersburg, Florida, to honor tradition, culture, community, and the people who keep Russian Heritage alive year after year. Thank you to everyone who contributed their time, energy, and heart to make this event possible. We are excited to celebrate together! 💙 #RussianHeritage #WinterBall2026 #30thAnnualWinterBall #Community #TraditionAndCulture StPetersburgFL
Proudly recognizing Verras Law, a longtime supporter of the Ball and our Gold Sponsor . Since 2003, Verras Law has been serving Florida clients with trusted legal guidance and a compassionate approach. 🌐 https://verras-law.com 📧 [email protected] Thank you for your continued support!
We extend our sincere gratitude to our Gold Sponsor, Triumph Roofing, for their continued support of the St. Petersburg Winter Ball. With years of experience and a team of skilled professionals, Triumph Roofing is dedicated to providing top-quality roofing and construction services for both residential and commercial properties.We are truly thankful to have Triumph Roofing as a valued partner in our community.
Babushka’s is a collection of authentic Eastern European restaurants in the Tampa Bay area, celebrating the rich culinary traditions of Russia, Ukraine, Georgia, and Poland. With locations in Hyde Park and beyond, we offer both classic comfort dishes - from borscht and pierogis to blintzes and golubtzy - and contemporary fusion creations, all crafted with fresh, high-quality ingredients. Complete with a full bar featuring infused vodkas, craft cocktails, and curated wines, our warm, rustic spaces provide a cozy, family-friendly atmosphere where you can experience the soul of Eastern Europe right here in Florida.
✨ Huge thank you to our GOLD Sponsor — Natalya Halprin, Charles Rutenberg Realty ✨ With 23 years of experience in residential and commercial real estate, Natalya is a trusted Tampa Bay expert known for strong negotiation, marketing, and real results. Her work has been featured in local media, News Channel 8, and Netflix’s Selling Sunset. If you’re buying, selling, or investing in Tampa Bay, work with a professional who puts your interests first and delivers. 📞 727-481-6363 🔗 https://www.facebook.com/NatalyaHalprinFLRealtor?mibextid=hrBMPu Halprinrealestate.com
Trenam Law is a proud sponsor of the 2026 Russian Heritage Ball. Trenam enjoys a rare position among Florida’s law firms. We are recognized as a leader in the state, ranking among the top law firms in size and breadth of practice. Trenam serves the needs of our clients in the Tampa Bay area and throughout the state of Florida with offices in Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Sarasota, Florida with over one hundred attorneys practicing in multiple practice groups. Please visit our website to learn more about us: https://www.trenam.com/
As the chill of winter sets in, there’s a magical event on the horizon that brings warmth and excitement: the Winter Ball! This enchanting evening is a chance for friends, couples, and colleagues to come together in a celebration filled with joy, elegance, and unforgettable memories. #winterball #russianheritage
Join us on January 24, 2026, for an evening of refined elegance with a cocktail hour, live entertainment, silent auction, and exquisite dinner. Elegant attire, timeless style, and a celebration worthy of this milestone await. ✨ Limited tickets available — secure yours before this unforgettable night sells out. #WinterBall
Dress to Impress The Winter Ball is the perfect occasion to don your finest attire. Whether you choose a classic gown, a sleek tuxedo, or a unique outfit that showcases your personal style, this is your moment to shine. Don’t forget to accessorize! Sparkling jewelry, stylish shoes, and a touch of winter-themed flair can elevate your look. #winterball #russianheritage #winterball2026
January 30th, 2027
Winter Ball 2027
Thanks for joining us! More Info Coming Soon!
A Look into
Russian History and Culture
Discover the stories of remarkable individuals of Russian descent who have made their mark on the world. From artists and scientists to leaders and entertainers, these figures showcase the enduring influence of Russian heritage across various fields. Explore their achievements and contributions that continue to inspire generations!
