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ARMENCHIK ROCKS SATURDAY NIGHT DANCE AT 2012 AYF OLYMPICS
by Michelle Hagopian
http://www.armenianweekly.com/2012/11/09/armenchik-rocks-saturday-night-dance-at-2012-ayf-olympics/
November 9, 2012
>From AYF Olympics 2012 Special Issue
In case you missed Saturday night at the AYF Senior Olympics, Armenchik
brought in 1,400 people to the Westin Boston Waterfront Hotel.
Armen Gondrachyan, known by his stage name Armenchik, is a sensation in
Haiastan and has traveled the world performing his music. This year,
the Boston Olympics Steering Committee decided to bring him in for
a new and exciting experience for the weekend's guests.
The decision paid huge dividends for the AYF and the Boston community,
especially when you consider that to include Armenchik cost a few
extra bucks.
"We knew the financial responsibilities we had going into this Olympics
and with Olympics in Boston and the population of Armenians in the
area, we had the opportunity to bring in a 'new' artist that would
draw all those people to our event. Saturday night of Olympics is
not as popular as Sunday, so we wanted to have a new sound to freshen
things up a bit," said Steering Committee member Tamar Kanarian.
"We knew of Armenchik's popularity when our community center [ACEC]
brought him for their first annual Kermesse in 2010. We saw the
thousands of folks that came to see him so we thought about bringing
him to the Olympics stage."
Saturday night's performance attracted guests that might not have
otherwise attended the weekend. "Our attendance across the board was
massive throughout the weekend. We were successful in introducing
other Armenians to an AYF Olympic weekend that we have been able to
produce for 79 years. Armenchik was great and we've heard nothing
but great comments of his performance," Kanarian said.
The committee discussed bringing Armenchik for seven months, looking at
all possible scenarios, and charting out attendance against expenses
and possible ticket pricing. "You name it, we talked about it,"
said Kanarian.
She noted that sometimes it's difficult to take risks, especially
when you have financial obligations to the AYF and the reputation of
the weekend.
"Ultimately, we consulted with the Governing Body and CE [Central
Executive]. We knew we had to work hard to publicize the event and
make sure everyone in the Greater Boston Armenian community was aware
of this new addition to the weekend," she said.
People of all ages could be seen on the dance floor singing along
to Armenchik's lyrics. The ballroom was packed from the beginning of
the night through the end.
Armenchik's performance will rest well in the minds of those who
attended, and the AYF can look forward to a successful reward for
the risk the Steering Committee took on its decision.
by Michelle Hagopian
http://www.armenianweekly.com/2012/11/09/armenchik-rocks-saturday-night-dance-at-2012-ayf-olympics/
November 9, 2012
>From AYF Olympics 2012 Special Issue
In case you missed Saturday night at the AYF Senior Olympics, Armenchik
brought in 1,400 people to the Westin Boston Waterfront Hotel.
Armen Gondrachyan, known by his stage name Armenchik, is a sensation in
Haiastan and has traveled the world performing his music. This year,
the Boston Olympics Steering Committee decided to bring him in for
a new and exciting experience for the weekend's guests.
The decision paid huge dividends for the AYF and the Boston community,
especially when you consider that to include Armenchik cost a few
extra bucks.
"We knew the financial responsibilities we had going into this Olympics
and with Olympics in Boston and the population of Armenians in the
area, we had the opportunity to bring in a 'new' artist that would
draw all those people to our event. Saturday night of Olympics is
not as popular as Sunday, so we wanted to have a new sound to freshen
things up a bit," said Steering Committee member Tamar Kanarian.
"We knew of Armenchik's popularity when our community center [ACEC]
brought him for their first annual Kermesse in 2010. We saw the
thousands of folks that came to see him so we thought about bringing
him to the Olympics stage."
Saturday night's performance attracted guests that might not have
otherwise attended the weekend. "Our attendance across the board was
massive throughout the weekend. We were successful in introducing
other Armenians to an AYF Olympic weekend that we have been able to
produce for 79 years. Armenchik was great and we've heard nothing
but great comments of his performance," Kanarian said.
The committee discussed bringing Armenchik for seven months, looking at
all possible scenarios, and charting out attendance against expenses
and possible ticket pricing. "You name it, we talked about it,"
said Kanarian.
She noted that sometimes it's difficult to take risks, especially
when you have financial obligations to the AYF and the reputation of
the weekend.
"Ultimately, we consulted with the Governing Body and CE [Central
Executive]. We knew we had to work hard to publicize the event and
make sure everyone in the Greater Boston Armenian community was aware
of this new addition to the weekend," she said.
People of all ages could be seen on the dance floor singing along
to Armenchik's lyrics. The ballroom was packed from the beginning of
the night through the end.
Armenchik's performance will rest well in the minds of those who
attended, and the AYF can look forward to a successful reward for
the risk the Steering Committee took on its decision.