It was an exciting evening in Norquay on January 14 when the Norquay Rosa Dance Club held its 12th annual Malanka banquet and dance.
Malanka is the celebration of “Ukrainian New Year” and the event also marked the Rosa dancers' 37th year.
During the first part of the banquet, some of the Group 3 dancers went from table to table offering kolach (bread) and salt. This practice dates back through the centuries, with the bread representing hospitality and the salt, eternal friendship.
The performance portion of the evening began with the Welcome Dance and the bread and salt presentation. Jesse Lukey and Emerson Westerlund of Group 1 presented the items to one of their grandparents.
The evening continued with groups 1, 2 and 3 dancing to the Poltava; groups 4 and 5, dancing to the Buko, and the entire group finishing with the Kolomeyka.
The dance portion continued on into the evening with 50/50 tickets being sold as well. Winner of $710 in the 50/50 raffle pot was Dan Hudye of Norquay.
