It’s difficult finding enough adjectives to describe the exhilarating, high energy, vibrant colours to which the crowd is introduced each year at the Canora Veselka Ukrainian Dance Club spring concert.
The dancers performed in the 42nd annual concert on April 10. Simone Homeniuk was the mistress of ceremonies and Teresa Korol, the club president, led in the singing of O Canada.
As is the tradition, the concert began with the Pryvit, the welcome dance which concludes with the presentation to guests of bread, salt and wheat, a very important custom in Ukrainian culture representing a wish for prosperity and health.
There is a lot of pride and dedicated detail to authenticity that goes into the colourful costumes each year. In the program, there is an explanation of the seven basic costumes: Poltava, Polissia, Hutzul, Transcarpathian, Bukovynian, Volyn and Gypsy.
The Poltava represents the Ukrainian Kozaks noted for their love of social dances that spawned the Hopak and the Kozachok. The men’s costumes are styled after the Kozak dress; high boots, an embroidered shirt, a sash (poyas) tied around the waist, and loose, billowy riding pants (sharyvary). The women’s costumes consist of a blouse with red-and-black embroidery, a full or straight shirt (plakhta) made of colourful, geometrically woven fabric, long vests with matching aprons, red leather boots or shoes, red beaded necklaces and a headpiece of flowers and ribbons. The costumes worn for this style of Ukrainian dance has been deemed the national costume of Ukraine.
The Polissia represents an area of Ukraine which is below sea level with residents that are mainly cattle farmers or fishermen. The costumes incorporate white, red and beige as the main colours and the girls often wear aprons. It is a fast-paced, bouncy dance that incorporates high leg movements with repetitive tapping and stamping.
For the Hutzul costumes, the dance is centred in a region of Ukraine located high in the Carpathian Mountains. Because of the severe climate, the people had to be adaptable and that aspect can be seen in the costumes; narrower skirts and pants but combined in the rich colours of orange, brown, green and yellow. All dancers wear moccasins (postoly) and highly decorated vests known as keptari. The men’s pants are straight-legged and the women’s skirts consist of back and front panels, tied at the waist. The lively and energetic dance style is characterized by quick stamping and intricate footwork, combined with swift vertical movements.
Transcarpathian is also known as the Zakarpattia, a large area of both foothills and fertile plains. These regional dances are known for their large sweeping movements and colourful costumes. The costumes are said to be similar to Polish folk dress with a lot of lace and floral detail. Women’s skirts are full and swish with movement. A traditional embroidered blouse is worn with a short, dark, decorated vest. The men wear narrow white pants with the traditional white shirt and a dark embroidered vest. Decorated hats are common for these dances. A characteristic of these dances has the men clapping and slapping their boots and bodies.
The Bukovynian area is located in the transitional highland between Ukraine and Romania. Costuming for this area is very narrow with coins often being a part of the costume as they represent a Ukrainian superstition that coins ward off evil spirits. The men are dressed in white with a decorated vest, belt and hat for accessories. The women wear traditional white blouses with darker embroidery. The dark shirt is sometimes open at the front, revealing an embroidered slip. The women’s headpieces are very distinct, consisting of tall wheat stalks or feathers. The dances from this region are lively, energetic and characterized by high stepping, intricate foot stamping combinations.
The Volyn area is in north-western Ukraine which is rich in tradition and culture. The dances are said to have been influenced by Poland’s extended rule over the area. Men wear long, swirling jackets and the women have skirts that swirl when turning. The costumes are bright and vibrant. The dances from this area are couple oriented and polka-like. Dance steps are characterized by energetic jumping, high leg movements, lively arm movements and twirling steps.
The Gypsy dances represent the cultures and traditions of the Ukrainian Tsyhany. The Roma people living in the Carpathian Mountains have developed their own dialect, customs and traditional dances limited to their own villages.
At the convert there were 13 dances performed, which meant several groups were responsible for more than one number on the program. The dancers are divided into six groups: Senior Girls, Intermediate II Girls, Intermediate I mixed, Junior Mixed, Novice II mixed and Novice I Mixed.
The members of the Senior Girls are: Emma Eiteneier, Abby Gulka, Courtney Ostafie, Abbey Sakal and Carmen Stusek. Their instructors are Serhly and Liana Zabutnyy.
Members of the Intermediate II Girls are: Kelsey Chupa, Jill Gulka, Mackenzie Gulka, Jasmine Knihniski, Jordelle Lewchuk, Carley Ostafie, DekeaRyczak and Ashley Stusek. Their instructors were Serhly and Liana Zabutnyy.
Members of the Intermediate I Mixed group are: Cassandra Danyluk, Drea Beblow, Mathew Dmitruik, Jacob Gulka, Brooklyn Korol, Larissa Makowsky, Brayden Ostafie, Carson Ostafie, Emily Owchar, Megan Scherban and Jake Statchuk. Their instructor is Liana Zabutnyy.
Dancers in the Junior Mixed group are: Jayden Burym, Henry Craig, Jack Craig, Chase Hembling, Makayla Heshka, Jenna Korol, Tyson Korol, Madison Kryski, Jordan Makowsky, Matthew Makowsky, Cambrie Ostafie, Noah Prychak, Alaina Roebuck, Linden Roebuck, Gasper Thomas, Methyl Trask, Sofia Tratch, Cody Vangen, Meekah Unick and Irene Yannoulis. Their instructors are Serhly and Liana Zabutnyy, with Courtney Ostafie as an apprentice instructor.
In the Novice II Mixed group are: Danielle Dutchak, Reein Godhe, Joshua Prychak, Liam Trask, Olivia Tratch, Jordan Zbitniff and Victoria Zbitniff. Their instructor was Serhly Zabutnyy and Jill Gulka was an apprentice instructor.
Members of the Novice I Mixed group are: Madison Dutchak, Reid Kitchen, Tessa Prychak, Jake Rewakowsky, Cassidy Wolkowski, Wade Vangen and Zarin Godhe. Their instructor was Serhly Zabutnyy and Jill Gulka was an apprentice instructor.
The program concluded with Jordelle Lewchuk, Megan Scherban and Ashley and Carmen Stusek singing Shche Ne Vmerla Ukraina, Ukraine’s national anthem.
Members of the 2015-2016 executive are: Teresa Korol, president; Lorelei Stusek, vice-president; Jill Craig, treasurer; Janet Ostafie, text mail; Allana Lewchuk, registrar; Sheila Dmitruik and Lisa Sakal, costume co-ordinators; Shauna Statchuk, publicity and photos; Ginette Ostafie, facility co-ordinator; Shannon Unick, competition co-ordinator; Lisa Sakal, concert co-ordinator; Stacy Vangen, Leona Kitchen, Amanda Zbitniff, April Makowsky, Jill Craig, Teresa Korol, Tracy Gulka, Rammy Ryczak and Leslie Gulka, dance supervisors; Sherri Roebuck and Amanda Zbitniff, fundraising co-ordinators; Jennifer Prychak and Stacy Vangen, hospitality; and Shauna Statchuk, awards and gifts.
