Andriana Bjedov is currently a reporter with the well known online portal “Chicago Desavanja” which focuses on news and events in Chicago as well as world news among other publication’s . With an extensive career as a reporter and host of a wide array of TV, Radio, and live events Andriana has been making a name for herself in the field since the late 90’s. Along with her extensive education with a concentration on Communication and Media she has hosted and reported for well known programs such as Radio Knin, RTV RS Knin, RTS Beograd, and TV Happy Beograd.

Violeta Is the Social Media Director and On-Air personality you hear on 'Eric in the Morning' weekdays from 5:30-10am on The Mix (WTMX-FM) in Chicago. Along with managing the social pages she also contributes daily conversation, produce segments, compile and report Trending on Twitter stories, and create weekly "V-Lingo" videos.

Previously she worked as a Traffic and Feature Reporter for WGN Radio covering a variety of topics including the Cubs on their road to the World Series, Polar Plunge, Bike the Drive, and really anything and everything going on in Chicago, she also produced a weekly ‘Weekend Warning’ video about fun things to do around town.
Prior to working On-Air, Violeta was an Associate Producer and News Writer. In the newsroom she mastered how to work under intense pressure and the importance of quick thinking around a hot mic.

Her natural curiosity and unique point of view, mixed in with a bubbly personality and a zest for life, has helped launch her broadcasting career, including a large following online and On-Air.

Violeta was born and raised in Lakeview by her very foreign Serbian Restaurant family. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Communication for the University of Illinois at Chicago Honors College and her story is just beginning.

One of the most versatile, skilled, and curious musicians in Chicago, guitarist Goran Ivanovic has built a career built upon exploration. Born and raised in Croatia, he was in the midst of studying at the prestigious Mozarteum University in Salzburg, Austria with masters like Elliot Fisk and Joaquin Clerch when his parents (his father is a Serb, his mother a Bosnian Croat) were expelled in the late 90s; the family was granted asylum in the US and they settled in Chicago.
Since his arrival he’s displayed a deep interest in collaboration, steadily expanding his stylistic range well beyond the European classical music and Balkan sounds he was fluently versed in when he arrived. These days his repertoire not only incorporates those disciplines, but jazz and flamenco as well.
He’s recorded duet albums with the great Pakistani-Chilean jazz guitarist Fareed Haque as well as Greek-American musician Andreas Kapsalis. He’s a key member of the quartet Eastern Blok with Matt Ulery, Doug Rosenberg, and Michael Caskey, a combo that deftly surveys the folk music of Macedonia, Bulgaria, and Serbia in a distinctly jazz-oriented context, embroidering timeless Balkan melodies and rhythms with sophisticated improvisational gambits.
Most recently, Ivanovic released an eponymous trio album with bassist Ulery and percussionist Pete Tashjian where he’s achieved a stunning assimilation of his many influences, creating a hybrid all his own. Reviewing the new album for All About Jazz, Budd Kopman wrote, “It is easy to get lost in Ivanovic's technique, especially if one plays (or attempts to play) Classical style guitar, in a jazz style or not.” The trio’s agility has also been noted. As Jeff Elbel wrote in the Chicago Sun-Times, “The trio are recognized for their individual virtuosity, but they show particular excellence as a unit able to stop on a dime and twist gracefully through the trickiest hairpin turns together on local stages.”

Helena Sprajcer (10) has been playing the piano since the age of 5. She is a student of Dr. Soo Young Lee at the Music Institute of Chicago (MIC), and also participates in the MIC Chamber Music Duo coached by Mrs. Elaine Felder and Ms. Sang Mee Lee. Helena is a CAMTA Sonata Festival 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 gold medalist, a NSMTA Sonata Festival double gold medalist, and most recently a NWSMTA gold medalist. She was the recipient of the MIC Merit Scholar Award at the age of 7. She was a first place winner of the American Protégé Music Talent Competition Spring 2020, and will perform at Carnegie Hall in June 2022. In addition, in 2020, Helena was the first place winner of the ISMTA North piano competition in Primary Division and a Sejong Music Competition finalist, and in 2021 she won first place in the Society of American Musicians competition - Piano Primary Division. She was a prize winner in several international competitions. Helena also studies voice with Mrs. Barbara Ann Martin, plays violin as a second instrument, enjoys tennis, loves nature and animals, spending time with her four pets, and hopes to some day work with animal rescue.

“Tamburica Haus Bend” have been performing together for over seven years and is one of the few groups to feature Tamburica. Zoran Miletić (Bass), Joe Kirin (Tamburica), and Zoran Radovanović (Accordion)—who with different cultural backgrounds and accomplished skills—came together with a mutual love and passion for the music that originates from the areas once known as Yugoslavia. The performances are acoustic (ala Skadarlija), often performed up-close which gives them the opportunity to perform, connect, and share some of the most important celebrations in people’s lives. Whether performing music from Serbia, Macedonia, Croatia, Bosnia, Montenegro, or America, the music is always warm, fun, and exciting. They are delighted to be performing at the 20th Anniversary Fundraising Gala.

Danilo “Dacha” Bozovic began his bartending career at the prime age of 20, in his hometown of Belgrade, Serbia. He found it was hard for a young bartender to easily learn what they were doing behind the bar, so he founded his own bar school called Belgrade Bartending Academy. During this time he was discovered by Dushan Zaric, one of the partners at New York’s famed Employees Only and was offered a job with the company. In 2011, he moved to New York to work at Employees Only until being offered the position of bar manager at EO’s sister concept, Macao Trading Co. While in this position, he penned his first book Barkeep: A Guide To Becoming A Professional Bartender in 2016. After a few years, Bozovic was given a partner position that lead him to Miami where he opened Employees Only Miami and its neighboring bar, Swizzle, a tropical hideaway focused on rums from around the world. Bozovic has also consulted on various projects including revamping Faena Miami’s multiple outlets. Bozovic’s latest cocktail placemats include Faena Hotel, Miami Beach and East Hotel, Brickell.

Currently, Bozovic is the founder of Swizzle Rum Bar & Drinkery on South Beach. The concept is much like the previous Swizzle, with less of a focus on tropical and tiki and more of an overall spirits haven featuring cocktails inspired by his travels around the world. Bozovic also published his second book, Barkeep Book 2nd Edition: The Art of Mixology, Bar and Cocktails, end of the year 2021. He has been voted the top 10 best bartenders by Miami Times and has won the golden medal for USA in the prestige world cocktail competition in France 2018.

Natalya Kljajic is a Chicago painter and teacher. A graduate of SAIC having studied with many contemporary artists, her knowledge and understanding of the color pallet and alternative material underscore her love of bringing light and life to canvas. She has been working since 2011 on commissioned art as well as conceptual pieces, and has showcased her work at Bridgeport Art Center, Co-prosperity, Sullivan Gallery as well as being published in 300 Teapots and ArtAscent journal

David Bozic is a Chicago native, using the influences of the city to merge into his work. David started drawing and painting at an early age and as he grew older, he let his life become the inspiration for his work. Along with his art education, his involvement in skateboard culture, street art, and graffiti peaked David’s interest for the blend of fine art with street style. Constantly using a mix of mediums such as oil paint with spray paint, he redefines traditions to create a sophisticated yet rugged experience.

David’s affinity for mixing mediums has allowed him to explore and perfect different creative techniques. After earning a degree at the Art Institute, he has continued on to work both inside galleries and independently to create a name for himself nation-wide. Currently working as a graphic designer for a Chicago-based Corporation, he has previously worked as Creative Director at El Teatro, a national landmark in Chicago’s art district, and has been sought out by various companies to add to their public and private collections. He also works closely with personal clients to create the unique images they seek. Producing detailed paintings, murals, and graphic designs with his distinctive twist, David creates a new culture in which the classic and modern worlds are uniquely combined.

We are group of enthusiastic dancers, who care to preserve the Serbian culture and heritage of kolo dancing. We have proudly entered into our ninth season, under the watchful eye and direction of our choreographer Milan Andrijanić.

Juan A. Cano is a Chicago based contemporary artist and a proud lifelong resident of Logan Square. His passion for family, heritage, and philanthropic cases such as individuals with disabilities and animal resolve see a pratinent and recurring theme in his work. From an early
age; Juan was inspired by the works of Pablo Picasso and the Cubist Movement. While attending Lane Technical High School, he began talking classes at The Marwen Art Foundation.
At the time of graduation, he'd already begun prohibiting his work locally. At Columbia College Chicago, Juan was a student of the renowned artist and pioneering muralist Mario Castillo,
whom he considers his mentor and a close friend. Decades later, the two continue to inspire one another and collaborate artistically.

During his years at Columbia College, Juan was a leader in the development of a City Vacurt Art. The project was launched by the Chicago Pak District and the Alderman's Cancel To promote
beautification and delivering positive images to underserved communities; the Project repaired installed proper lighting features, and created brilliant works of art upon adults long neglected
and tagged with gang graffiti. Some of Chicago's best painted the theatre murals-known graffiti artists.
Since attending Columbia College, Juan has grown not only as an artist but as a proud father, and businessman. His reputation as Chicago's "Shattered Glass Artig' has paved the way for a
significant fan bere and a place in private collections exhibitions and public art installation Juan has also evolved into a true stist philanthropist, regularly donating rock to charitable
Organizations such as BUILD, Save A pet and Special Olympics Illinois help raise awareness and funding for those in need.

Recent Accomplishments:


Featured interview in the documentary Mario Castillo A Visionary Artist', an MG Advisory/S91- tv Media Production February 2000)
Panelist and Specker, Stirring the soul and Shaping A Commentary Celebrating Pilgen's Origin Murders (CGM Dwellers' Club March 2020)
Featured artist in special Olympics das Ducks On Parade Public Art Installation (June 2020 September 2020) Sculpture edited Chica FlaAin Durk purchased by a private collector
Featured artist sculpture entitled Poreiden Protects The Church) in Greektown Chicago's
Celebration of Greece's Cortona Anniversary of independence (2021)
Featured artists (sculpture entitled Sun Gods, a father-daughter collaboration with daughter Leyla) in Greentown Chicago's Holics The Warming Sins of Chicago's Grecktunn (2021- 2002)
Featured artist (structure et tid tin Freien in the City of Ne Leonim Cover Public Act Project (2021)