Russian Times Web

Baraban.Com Label Merchandise

Community members are engaged in a wide variety of professions, including small business ownership, engineering, performing arts and almost any other profession that comes to mind. Perhaps not surprisingly, aspiring Russian-American actors are drawn to Hollywood as much as other Americans looking for stardom. And find it, they do! Among the thousands of starving want-to-bes originally from the countries of the Former Soviet Union - living in LA, there now are at least seven who have appeared in major Hollywood productions.

"Russians" have gotten into other artsy occupations, as well. Who in LA has not heard of the Red Elvises, a Russian pop band that for years played on the promenade by the ocean; or enjoyed the sweet and sour sounds of Hollywood Klezmer, a Jewish band that includes a former Red Elvis? Add to these achievements, those by the group of local Russian animators, engineers, doctors, lawyers and, of course, businessmen and you get a good picture of this thriving community in full bloom. Keeping this community blooming, by creating opportunities for its members to meet, as well as by sustaining and teaching Russian language and culture are institutions such as the Chekhov Theater, the two Russian game show clubs, the many Russian language daycare centers, schools, newspapers and this web site. Some of the local groups have recently opened up their own websites on the Internet.