The 13th Crescendo Music Festival brings together local, national, and international artists to celebrate music and art at various locations on the island of Cres. Due to the specific needs for social distancing, this year we have a reduced program but we are looking forward to meeting again with our audiences and enjoying our beautiful island!

There will be 3 concerts in 3 different locations: Borna Šercar’s Jazziana Croatica will play on Guvno up in Vidovići village, Mildreds in Open Air Theatre in Cres town, and bagpipers Dario, Mario, and Mat at Pjaceta in Osor.

Borna Šercar’s Jazziana Croatica: Vojkan Jocić – saxophone, Hrvoje Galler – keyboards, Elvis Penava – guitar and Borna Šercar – drums

Mildreds: Astrid Kuljanić – voice, Uroš Rakovec – guitar, Žiga Golob – bass, Blaž Celarec – percussion, Kruno Levačić – drums

The performances will be accompanied by photographic exhibitions: “Pathways and Panoramas of Cres”, “Renaissance in Cres” and “Lavender Dance” by Vesna Jakić and Ruta Association together with Francesco Moretti, Elisa Bugoloni and Vanessa Bertoletti.

We will also present two music documentaries, one by Hommage Production and Pass The Hat Records featuring the band Mildreds, directed by Natko Klobučar, and “Zvuci otoka” by Paolo Vinatti, about the bagpipe traditions of Cres and Lošinj.

The festival will be opened and closed with two music workshops, one by Astrid Kuljanic about singing which will include learning the basics of technique, improvisation and traditional song from Cres (to register email info@astrid-music.com), and the other by the bagpipers Dario Kučić, Mario Mužić and Mat Muntz about the traditional instrument Primorski Meh (bagpipes from the island).

All events will be held according to the guidelines of COVID-19 regulations. For additional information e-mail info@astrid-music.com.

Crescendo Music Festival is supported by:
• Ministarstvo kulture republike Hrvatske
• Primorsko-goranska županija
• Grad Cres
• Visit Cres – TZ Cres
• Cresanka – Camp Kovačine
• Udruga Ruta – Cres
• sisters-homes
• DevaDesign
• Pass the Hat Records
• Hommage Production
• Novi List
• Radio Rijeka
• Radio Jadranka – Mali Lošinj
• Otoci.net

Detailed program:

Tuesday, August 17, 19:00
Marašćica, Stivan

Singing workshop with Astrid Kuljanić – learn the basics of singing technique, improvisation, and a traditional song from Cres
To sign up, participants must email info@astrid-music.com in advance due to the limited space.

Wednesday, August 18, 20:00 
Guvno at sisters – homes, Vidovići

Borna Šercar’s Jazziana Croatica (Croatia) – concert
Vojkan Jocić – saxophone
Hrvoje Galler – keyboards
Elvis Penava – guitar
Borna Šercar – drums 

“Passaggi e Paesaggi di Cherso”  (Pathways and Panoramas of Cres) – photo projection exhibition by Francesco Moretti and Elisa Bugoloni

Thursday, August 19, 20:00
Open Air Theatre, Cres

Mildreds (Croatia, Slovenia) – concert
Astrid Kuljanić – voice
Uroš Rakovec  – guitar
Žiga Golob – bass
Blaž Celarec – percussion
Kruno Levačić – drums

Hommage Production and Pass The Hat Records present: 
“Mildreds” – a music documentary directed by Natko Klobučar

Exhibition “Renaissance in Cres” by Vesna Jakić and Francesco Moretti, with Ruta Association

Friday, August 20, 20:00
Pjaceta, Osor

Meh (Bagpipes from Cres) workshop and concert
Dario Kučić (Belej), Mario Mužić (Orlec) and Mat Muntz (USA)

“Zvuci otoka” (Sounds of the Island)  – a film by Paolo Vinatti about island bagpipers

“Lavender Dance”  – photo projection exhibition by Vesna Jakić and Francesco Moretti of performers Vanessa Bertoletti and Mat Muntz

CREScendo Music Festival was established in 2008 in cooperation with Croatian Music Union on the island Cres, Croatia. Since it’s beginning the main stage was set in the open air cinema of the town of Cres, and other stages were carefully selected to introduce a nonstandard yet perfect musical ambiences: the cloister of St. Francis Friary, Tower of Cres and Stanzia Castellani in Grmozaj to name a few.
The festival gathers world-class domestic and foreign jazz musicians (Matija Dedic, Simone Zanchini, Kruno Levačić, Zvjezdan Ružić, Joe & Lela Kaplowitz, Lela Kaplowitz, Žiga Golob.. ), as well as local artists.
The Crescendo Music Festival has insisted on the interdisciplinary outcome right from the start so that the visitors could enjoy a broad cultural bid i.e. photography exhibitions by Italian photographer Francesco Moretti, hand-made woolen products by Vesna Jakić, silk acrobatics performances by Nives Soldičić, various musical workshops and masterclasses, and yearly exhibition of authentic products of Cres and wonderful stage scenography in collaboration with Ruta Association.

Crescendo Artistic Organization was founded in 2010. It’s primary activity is organizing the annual CREScendo Music Festival, as well as concerts and masterclasses of it’s members. Besides, it collaborates with other organizations regarding the concerts of its members (humanitarian event Homo Si Tec in Rijeka, The Chocolate Festival in Opatija, Bienalle of Mosaic in Rijeka..), has organized musical workshops for the children in cooperation with Matulji district, and has co-operated with Marathon Music in producing a CD for Spart Jazz Project.
For further information and any inquiries please contact the artistic executive Astrid Kuljanic.