Kef Time Hartford makes a comeback Sept. 25–27

Calling all "kef-jees"

Published: Wednesday July 29, 2009

West Hartford, Conn. - After a two-year hiatus, Kef Time Hartford is back. Veteran performers at the long-running dance event (1971–2006) will reunite for the weekend of September 25, 26, and 27.

"I've received hundreds of emails from friends and fans of Kef Time Hartford," claims organizer Gary Hovhanessian. "We miss kef weekend. It was a place to gather and sing and dance."

Two or three years before Kef Time Hartford ended, song-and-dance weekends in Cape Cod on the Fourth of July had stopped, organizers say, leaving all the "kef-jees" with nowhere to go.

To avoid schedule conflicts with church bazaars, holiday dances, and winter weather, the dance was moved to September, Mr. Hovhanessian explains. Details of the Friday-night kef are yet to be announced.

The main event takes place Saturday, September 26, from 6:00 p.m. to midnight, at the West Hartford Meeting and Conference Center, 50 S. Main St. Because of the early start time, the former Saturday afternoon kef will be eliminated.

"Our out-of-town guests will be able to enjoy the outstanding shops and restaurants in West Hartford that surround the venue, eat a late lunch or early dinner, and come and dance the night away," Mr. Hovhanessian suggests.

A Sunday kef with the Mal Barsamian Ensemble, featuring the oud and vocals of Harry Bedrossian, starts at noon on Sept. 27 at the new Shish Bar and Ultra Lounge, 904 Farmington Ave.

The Homewood Suites Hotel in Farmington, located within 5 miles of the venues, is offering a special $99 weekend rate.

"I emailed the members of the band, Richard Hagopian, Hachig Kazarian, Jack Chalikian, Mal Barsamian, Ron Tutunjian, and Paul Mooradian, and all the emails came back with a 'YES, I'm available'," Mr. Hovhanessian recalls.

"All I've received are positive responses to the fact that we are bringing these guys back to Hartford. Now we have to get the word out and get the Kef Time Hartford fans back to Connecticut."

connect:
garyhov@aol.com
1-860-321-0000