Information: In the 1960s, a number of music lovers in Wood River, Illinois, asked Lou Cavic to get a few tamburaši together for a jam session. Lou gathered a group of tambura players from St. Louis and Southern Illinois, and an event was scheduled at Green Hall in Madison, Illinois. Approximately 90 people packed into the building to hear a few tamburaši play.

In 1971, the event moved to Schererville, Indiana. The name 'Extravaganza' was first used at this event, reused in 1972 and 1973, and adopted as the name for all future annual events in 1974.

Years after that first reunion, it's safe to say that Lou's vision has been realized, and his hopes for this organization fulfilled. The ranks of the Hall of Fame have swelled, many young people have been presented the Founder's Award for their commitment to the preservation of our culture, and numerous tamburaši have been honored for musical careers spanning more than 50 years.