The Dekker Centre for the Performing Arts will soon see a celebration of a half-century of Ukrainian dance tradition.
"Shumka at 50," the performance of Canada's Ukrainian Shumka dancers, will be running for one night only at the Dekker Centre Sunday, starting at 7 p.m.
The word Shumka stands for "whirlwind" in Ukrainian, and that's what audiences can expect from the show. It will be performed by 36 dancers who are part of the Shumka troupe including at least one from Saskatchewan.
Their performance will feature both a retrospective as well as some new pieces. Shumka artistic director Dave Ganert, who spoke with the Regional Optimist recently, promises an energetic show that the whole family will enjoy.
"You can certainly expect a lot of energy, colour, fast movement and some artistry as well," said Ganert.
Shumka celebrated its 50th anniversary four years ago, and this performance is part of a wide-ranging tour that has taken them across Canada and even as far away as China to celebrate that milestone.
Ganert calls it a chance to "share our experiences and dance and the evolution of dance throughout the years."
Ganert choreographed a number of the performances that will be seen, as well as directed a piece in the show called A Cobbler's Promise.
That tells the story of an aspiring boot maker's play for a young maiden's heart, with the cobbler unwittingly makes a promise he cannot keep. Ganert calls it a "light-hearted piece" that's comical in nature.
Also featured in the schedule are:
Harvest Angels, described as a "more traditional" first act, depicting the four distinct regions of Ukraine set against the backdrop of a golden wheat field.
Pathways to Hopak, a contemporary life-cycle piece that Ganert says guides travellers through life's journeys, trials and tribulations.
Eve of Kupalo - A Midsummer's Night Masque, which delves into the mystery of summer solstice rituals that have endured for centuries in Ukraine and throughout European culture. Ganert calls it a sort of Ukrainian version of A Midsummer Night's Dream and describes the performance as "having a lot of energy and a lot of excitement."
The 50th Anniversary Hopak is described as a powerful new piece representing the choreographic evolution of a traditional dance.
The works in Shumka at 50 include sets and costumes from Maria Levitska of the Ukraine National Ballet and Opera, as well as music composition, arrangement and orchestration by Yuri Shevchenko and Andriy Shoost of Kyiv. The music was recorded in Ukraine by the Kyiv City Opera Orchestra.
"Our partners over there have been really important in helping us set our artistic benchmarks," said Ganert.
After their North Battleford stop Ganert says the production will go on to a number of other venues including Regina, Winnipeg, Man., Medicine Hat, Alta., Thunder Bay, Ont. Saskatoon and other venues.
Ganert encourages people to come out, saying there is "something there for all audience goers, whether you are a traditionalist in that sense, or looking for new, innovative work."
"There's certainly stories and movement styles to entice all types of dance enthusiasts, and 'not' dance enthusiasts. It's just an entertaining show that everyone can enjoy."
