Watertown, MA — The ANCA Eastern Region is pleased to announce the Armenian a cappella folk trio Zulal will be performing at its sixth annual Eastern Region banquet to be held on Saturday, December 1, 2012 at the Sheraton Crossroads Hotel in Mahwah, NJ.

“We’re excited to be adding a cultural element for the ANCA banquet this year,” said Yeraz Markarian, one of the trio’s singers.

The night will begin with a cocktail reception and silent auction at 6:30 p.m. followed by dinner and program at 8:00 p.m. Baroness Caroline Cox will be presented with the ANCA Freedom Award and professor Richard Hovannisian will receive the Vahan Cardashian Award. Mrs. Nora Kzirian is the mistress of ceremonies for the evening.

Zulal means “clear water” in Armenian. According to the group’s website, www.zulal.org, the trio “aims to create music that is like clear water – fluid, clean and unconfined. The group takes Armenia’s village folk melodies and weaves intricate arrangements that pay tribute to the rural roots of the music while introducing a sophisticated lyricism and energy.”

The three women — Teni Apelian, Anais Tekerian and Markarian — combine their musical backgrounds in various genres to bring a new sound to Armenian ancestral music.

“The ANCA is looking forward to Zulal’s performance at this year’s banquet. This is an accomplished trio that has performed in established venues. They bring a different sound to what we’re used to hearing in Armenian music,” said ANCA Eastern Region Executive Director Michelle Hagopian.

In 10 years, Zulal has developed an impressive performance record, which includes a coast-to-coast U.S. tour and such venues as Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall, The Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage, New York’s Symphony Space, Boston’s Tsai Performance Center and Cirque du Soleil.

Zulal has been nominated for “Best Folk/World Song” at the 2004 Annual Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards and “Best Folk/World Album” at the 2005 Annual Contemporary A Cappella Recording Awards. Zulal was honored to receive two awards in 2005: “Best Traditional Vocal” and “Best Newcomer” at the 7th Annual Armenian Music Awards.

For more information about the banquet and to purchase tickets, please contact Karine Shnorhokian at (201) 788-5425 or visit the website at www.anca.org/erbanquet .