The thumping sound of the dhol drum and clarinet filled the walkway of the Glendale Marketplace on Sunday as dancers joined hands and performed a “shoorch bar” an Armenian circle dance.
The Tom Bozigian Trio played Armenian folk music as the dancers took to the makeshift dance floor and showed off their moves.
The event was part of the Third Annual Summer Music Series at the Glendale Marketplace featuring music from around the globe.
“It’s not something you have to go to the old country to see,” Bozigian, dance teacher and dhol player, said of the dancing. “It’s right here, so people can take advantage of it.”
Bozigian, who teaches Armenian, Greek, Arabic, Assyrian and Russian dancing at the Glendale Civic Auditorium, brought some of his dance students to showcase their talent.
Advance dance student Boghos Kazaanjian danced with two other students.
The heat didn’t stop Kazaanjian, a Pasadena resident, from showing off his dance moves. He came dressed in shorts and a shirt and brought a towel to wipe off the excess sweat.
“Since I’ve started dancing, I’ve been doing it and not stopping,” Kazaanjian said, as he wiped his forehead. “I really enjoy this and I get to dance the dances of my culture.”
Passersby stopped to observe the dancers and listen to the music. The circle of dancers got bigger as more people joined in.
Fourteen-year-old Armen Gendjian made his way toward the circle and grabbed someone’s hand.
Armen, who has been dancing since he was in the fourth grade, is also taking lessons with Bozigian.
“I dance because I like the group and it’s part of my heritage,” Armen said.
The trio also played Greek music and the dancers switched from Armenian to Greek dancing.
Burbank resident Jody Balsam came with his daughter Dakota, 13, to the event.
The father and daughter are both taking dance lessons.
“It’s great exercise, makes you strong in the shins and you feel accomplished the next day,” Balsam said.
The Bozigian Trio will have additional performances at the Glendale Marketplace from 5 to 7 p.m. Sept. 2 and 9.
The Summer Music Series continues with performances by flamenco guitarist Michael Jost on Aug. 26; guitar fusion band Incendio on Sept. 16, Carbe Durand on Sept. 23 and the Carlos Velasco Latin Jazz Quartet on Sept. 30.
