DhákháBrákha Live at the Smith Opera House - Nov 2025

The Band

A wildly creative, electrifying night with DakhaBrakha at the historic Smith Opera House — music that felt like art, ritual, and storytelling all at once.

Some performances go beyond “a good concert” and land somewhere between ritual and art installation. DakhaBrakha at the Smith Opera House was exactly that. Their mix of Ukrainian folk, layered percussion, and surreal imagery created a vivid, immersive experience that felt both ancient and experimental at the same time.

Their sound hits you first — deep drums, soaring vocals, rhythms that feel like they come from a different part of the world. But what made the night unforgettable was the context. The war between Ukraine and Russia has dragged on for nearly 4 years. Their music isn’t just art — it’s resistance, resilience, and a living reminder of a homeland still under attack. Between songs, they spoke softly but clearly about the ongoing war, the fragile negotiations for peace, and the emotional weight that Ukrainians carry every day. They shared gratitude for the support they’ve received from Americans, both through humanitarian aid and through simply showing up, listening, and caring. Their fundraising efforts, their message of unity, and the raw emotion in their voices made the performance feel like a bridge — one that connected us not only to their culture, but to their hope. It was impossible not to feel the enormity of what they’ve endured, and the quiet, stubborn courage behind every beat of the drum and every note they sang.

The Smith Opera House was the perfect setting: intimate, historic, and warm. The entire audience seemed tuned to the same frequency, leaning into something unexpected together. I left feeling energized, inspired, and grateful for the way art can crack you open.

The Smith Opera House, Geneva

This was the kind of creative jolt that belongs squarely in Creative Journey — an experience that reminds me how vibrant and expansive the world of art can be.