The Norquay Rosa Ukrainian Dance Club held its annual spring concert on April 28 at the Norquay Communiplex.
Lilia Livingstone was the emcee for the afternoon program. After a welcome greeting to the spectators, everyone rose to sing O Canada.
“It has been an exciting and extremely busy year once again for the dance Club,” Livingstone said. “One of our most significant events was our annual Malanka Banquet and Dance celebration this past January. It was a wonderful evening, and we truly appreciate the fantastic support that was shown by all who attended, and by our communities and surrounding rural regions as a whole. Those of you who were able to attend the Malanka celebrations received a brief glimpse of some of the dances being prepared. Today you will see the completed product.
“As any agrarian culture and community knows, the fruits of the earth are a great gift to us. For Canadians of Ukrainian descent, whose ancestors came from the ‘Breadbasket of Europe’, as Ukraine was known, bread is regarded as one of the holiest of all foods. In addition to the spiritual/religious significance of bread and salt, the round loaf of bread, or Kolach, is a symbol of eternity, and salt is presented as a symbol to preserve and enrich your relationships, as well as a wish that all the best flavour may be brought out in your life. Therefore, let us begin our program with the traditional ‘Pryvittania’ or Ukrainian welcome dance, performed by the Group 5 girls, accompanied by some of the group 1 dancers.”
This year the dance Club again had the opportunity to work with instructor Serhiy Zabutnyy, of Regina.
“Serhiy brings a wealth of knowledge and creativity from his experiences as dancer and choreographer with a number of groups in Ukraine and Canada, and we are so pleased to have him working with our dancers,” Livingstone said.
Livingstone paid tribute to the “talented hard-working dancers” who had spent long hours to develop their skills.
“This concert is not only a showcase of their hard work, but it is also a gesture of appreciation to their families and friends who have supported them throughout the year. Let us in turn show our appreciation for their efforts with generous applause,” she said.
The Group 4 dancers of Jaxon Lindgren, Alexis Lindgren, Kortny Wasylyniuk, Sierra Dahlin, Carson Ebert and Jace Vogel danced a Polissa.
Group 5 dancers performed a Poltava: the costumes of this area of the Ukraine have become known as the “national” costume, and members of the group were Taylor Wasylynuik, Megan Nystedt, Emily Livingstone, and Chantel Nokinsky
The Group 2 dancers performed a dance from the Hutzul region. Jax Griffith, Peyton Holinaty, Liam Kish, Jesse Lukey, Emerson Westerlund, Chesney Westerlund and Whitney Macdonald entertained with the characteristic high and fast steps.
Group 3, who were Charlie Griffith, Jordyn Kazakoff, Lily Kish, Sarah Lukey, Bristol Lindgren, Reese Reine, Makayla Shankowsky, Presley Vogel and Eryn Wasylyniuk performed their first dance from the Poltava Region.The Poltava Region costumes are very brightly coloured and you will see many colourful flowers and ribbons adorning these costumes, it was said.
Then the youngest group of dancers, Group 1 who were aged three to five, performed their Poltava.
“This is where it all begins, where the basic steps are learned, tentatively at first and then with growing confidence, and where the love of dance is born and nurtured,”said Livingstone. “Let’s clap and cheer on this young group of dancers, aged three to five. They are Tyler Griffith, Layla Kish, Jordan Lukey, Bridgette Lukey, Gracelynn Peters, Emmarie Holinaty, and Willow Tall.”
Emily Livingstone then performed a Volyn solo, a style which is a relatively new addition to club’s repertoire,
The Group 4 dancers performed a Character Dance which typically features at least one prop, and also tells a story.
A Volyn was performed by the Group 5 dancers.
A special performance was a Poltava by the Adult group of Allyson Grywacheski, Amanda Holinaty, Tara Romanchuk, Mikaela Twerdoclib, Adriana Walker, Kim Gulka Brandi Kashuba, Karlie Kowalchuk and Deena Cherewyk.
Group 2 returned with their second dance from the Poltava region.
A high-stepping and energetic Hutzul Dance was next when Group 3 returned to the stage and then Group 4 came back to the stage with a Poltava dance.
“We now take you to western Ukraine to the Bukovynian foothills for our final Group 5 dance of the evening. This area is located in the transitional highland between Ukraine and Romania. Costuming for this region features a narrow silhouette, with coins often being a part of the girls’ costume, partially as an indication of a family’s wealth (and therefore the possible size of the dowry), and partially representing the superstition that the jingling of coins would ward off evil spirits,” Livingstone said.
“Now for our Kolomeyka,” she said. “This is one of the dances that our students look forward to all year. It is a chance to perform their favourite steps and dance with their family members and their friends in a joyous celebration. This takes enthusiasm, love of dance, and lots of smiles.”
Chantel Nokinsky, who began dancing with the club when she was 3 years old, was acknowledged and thanked for her many years in the club as she will be graduating from high school this year and moving.
“Much organization and planning goes into running a dance group. We would like to thank the executive and all the parents for your continued support and enthusiasm in providing this opportunity for our children and community members to participate in the art form of Ukrainian Dance, and to share in the experiences and enjoyment of this part of Ukrainian culture,” Livingstone said as the program drew to a close.
Special presentation was made by Christine Lukey to Norm Griffin, owner of Lone Wolf Logging of Kamsack, to gratefully acknowledge his generous donations to the dance club for this year as well as last year.
Throughout the program, names were called for door prizes. A 50/50 draw and raffle were also held.
