Ukrainian Band Kommuna Lux Returns to Ithaca for a Powerful Night of Music and Support for Ukraine

Ukrainian band Kommuna Lux returns to Ithaca on Tuesday, September 2, for a benefit at the First Unitarian Society. Known for their electrifying fusion of klezmer, swing, and Odessa folk, the band and the Ithaca Rotary Club will be raising money for a project called Playground of Hope: Supporting the Families of Odesa Emergency Rescuers to upgrade a playground in Odesa, Ukraine that is used by children of the Special Emergency Rescue Squad in the Odesa Region, which is where Kommuna Lux was formed. Tickets are $20 through August 15 ($25 after). Hosted by the Rotary Club of Ithaca, this powerful evening promises unforgettable music and a chance to make a real difference.

 

On Tuesday, September 2, the First Unitarian Society of Ithaca will come alive with the energetic, soulful sounds of Kommuna Lux, a Ukrainian band known for fusing traditional Eastern European melodies with infectious klezmer and swing rhythms. The concert, which begins at 7:00 p.m., is more than just a night of extraordinary music - it’s a fundraiser to support critical medical needs in war-torn Ukraine.

 

This marks Kommuna Lux’s second performance in Ithaca, and if you missed it the first time, you won’t want to make that mistake again. The band’s unique sound is a vibrant mix of Odessa street folk, klezmer, and swing and blends the cultural depth of their hometown with the playful, rebellious spirit that has made it a favorite on stages across Europe.

Get Your Tickets Early

 

Tickets are available now at Brown Paper Tickets for $20 through August 15 at this link: Kommuna Lux: A Benefit for Ukraine. After that, the price rises to $25. 

 

Donations made at the will support a Rotary humanitarian project to for a project called Playground of Hope: Supporting the Families of Odesa Emergency Rescuers to upgrade a playground in Odesa, Ukraine that is used by children of the Special Emergency Rescue Squad in the Odesa Region, which is where Kommuna Lux was formed.

 

If you’re looking for a meaningful way to support Ukraine while enjoying world-class music in an intimate venue, this is your chance.

 

Who Is Kommuna Lux?

 

Kommuna Lux hails from Odesa, a Ukrainian port city on the Black Sea known for its rich musical and multicultural traditions. The band describes its style as “Odesa Gangsta Folk,” as it  draws on the raucous energy of street songs, sailor tunes, Yiddish klezmer, and Gypsy swing, all infused with modern-day charisma and passion.

 

Formed in 2015, the band has toured extensively across Europe and North America and  won praise not just for its technical skill and playful arrangements, but for the heart and humor it brings to every performance, even in the face of their homeland’s struggles.

 

Kommuna Lux’s music is a joyful defiance of darkness, a reminder of culture’s enduring power to uplift, connect, and heal. For the people of Ukraine, and their many supporters worldwide, the band is a vibrant, living example of resilience through art.

 

Why Ukraine Still Needs Our Help

 

As the war in Ukraine continues with no end in sight, the humanitarian needs are growing daily. Hospitals and infrastructure have been decimated in the eastern regions, where some of the fiercest fighting has occurred. Kramatorsk, located in the Donetsk region, is one such city where hospitals are overrun, and medical supplies are scarce.

 
The rescuers have been on the front lines for nearly three years, conducting search and rescue missions and responding to emergencies.
 
The project, sponsored by the Rotary eClub of Ukraine, is a way to give back to these dedicated rescuers and their families by creating a safe and modern space for their children to play, replacing equipment that is more than 40 years old. The total budget for the project is $9,000.
 

Rotary Club of Ithaca: Local Impact with Global Reach

 

The Kommuna Lux concert is the second concert the Rotary Club of Ithaca has organized to support humanitarian relief efforts in Ukraine. In February 2023, the Rotary Club hosted its first benefit concert for Ukraine at the First Unitarian Society of Ithaca, which featured local musicians and raised money to upgrade two school bomb shelters in Lviv, Ukraine.

 

The club also received a $25,000 disaster response grant from The Rotary Foundation to help fund the cost of renovating underground bomb shelters at a high school and a school serving children with special needs in Lviv. Overall, Ithaca Rotary raised $42,000 for those two projects.

 

Beyond the good cause, the Kommuna Lux concert promises to be an unforgettable night of music, emotion, and community. Kommuna Lux doesn’t just perform; they ignite a room. Their set will have you clapping, dancing, and possibly shedding a few tears—tears of joy, empathy, and shared humanity.

 

In moments of crisis, music can be a rallying force. It reminds us of what we share. It brings us together across languages and borders. And on September 2, at the First Unitarian Society of Ithaca, it will also help save lives.

 

Event Details

 

Date: Tuesday, September 2, 2025

Time: 7:00 PM

Location: First Unitarian Society of Ithaca, NY

Tickets: $20 before August 15, $25 after

Buy tickets: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/6674262

Donate directly: https://rotaryd2232ukraine.org/rcprojects/christmas24/project?prid=133

 

Come for the music. Stay for the mission. Help Ukraine heal. One song, one step, one donation at a time.