Editors:Tiffany Gogowich Maria Ochitwa Roxanna Pullan Charles Pullan
Tryzub Ukrainian Dance Society#115, 3953 -112 Ave SE
Calgary, AB
(403) [email protected]
Tryzub Ukrainian Dance Ensemble
@TryzubUkrDance
Ukrainian Christmas Caroling
On January 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th, the Tryzub Ukrainian Dance Ensemble will be caroling around Calgary and surrounding area for Ukrainian Christmas. If you would like to partake in this wonderful tradition and have carolers come right to your doorstep, please contact Tyler Bernakevitch ([email protected], 403-720-4840).
Ukrainian Christmas Caroling 1Hopak! A Ukrainian Spectacular - A Look Backstage 2Who’s in the Ensemble? 5Tryzub School Update 640th Anniversary Media Request 6Board of Directors 6Tryzub’s Harvest Gala 8Alumni Update 9Calendar of Events 9Razom 2 - A Fusion of Ukrainian Dance 11Donors 13
IN THIS ISSUE:
CONTRIBUTORS
Tyler BernakevitchChristina ChumakChristine Ochitwa
Maria OchitwaRoxanna Pullan
Fall 2013
PHOTO CREDITS
Emily Exon PhotographyEugene Gogowich
Riley LewisCharles PullanDarcia Pullan
Tyler Bernakevitch
2
Featuring the
Heebee-jeebees,
Mount Royal Choirs,
Calgary Youth Orchestraand many more special guests includingTryzub Ukrainian Dance Ensemble
Sat., Dec. 14, 2013 7 p.m.Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium$30 adults$20 students/seniors/MRU alumni$10 children 12 & underGroup & family discounts available
To order, call 403.440.7770
mtroyal.ca/christmas
SPECIA L T H A N K S TO G L E N CO E R E S O U R CES LTD.
Conservatory at Mount Royal University’s 25th Annual
Create a family holiday tradition andcelebrate the season with the joyful soundsof the Mount Royal University Conservatory.
3
Hopak! A Ukrainian SpectacularA Look Backstage
Christine Ochitwa
I’ve always said that a day spent in a theatre is a day well spent. There’s something about the silence when you’re standing on stage looking out at 2000 empty seats, the backstage joking around, and the roar of a standing ovation that just makes you think, “Yeah, this is why I dance.” Here’s a look at what the show day for Hopak! A Ukrainian Spectacular was like from the perspective of a dancer.
September 14, 2013 kicked off bright and early with a 9:00 a.m. cast call at the Jack Singer Concert Hall. There we were, bright and early on a Saturday morning, putting on makeup and French braiding our hair. Not being a morning person, I will admit I was not fully awake upon arrival at the theatre, but the chatter and excitement soon had me full of energy. Everyone came downstairs for our 10:00 a.m. technical rehearsal, or “tech”, dressed in formal Tryzub rehearsal attire and
holding two to four pairs of shoes each. Tech is really important, especially at the Jack Singer, because the stage is so much longer and narrower than our rehearsal space in the Tryzub Studio. We walked through all our dances quickly, then ran them accompanied by the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. The one moment I will never forget is our rehearsal for Transcarpathian Suite. The way the brilliant orchestration sounded with 40 musicians in the acoustically perfect concert hall... it was so moving and powerful to hear one of our favourite pieces presented so beautifully. You could see the dancers all smiling, tearing up even, listening to the orchestra.
Following some quick group photos came my second favorite part of the day (next to the performance, of course). There are a few free hours in between the technical rehearsal finishing and preparations for the performance starting. This time usually starts with a big group lunch somewhere downtown. Talking and laughing over a delicious meal is always memorable on a show day. After lunch, everyone has their own routine.
...continued on page 4
4
Some dancers do homework or read. Some fix costume pieces or organize their makeup bags. Some head home or out to run errands for a couple hours. My activity of choice was to curl up with a pillow and some music and nap for an hour, followed by a walk to a tea shop.
The ladies’ dressing room is always quite a sight to see in preparation for a big performance. There are hair and makeup supplies on every conceivable surface, teas, coffees and snacks all over the room, music blasting, and a constant chatter as everyone works together to make sure their makeup is done right, the part in their hair is straight, and their costumes are laid out and ready for the show. This is one of the best parts about being a Tryzub girl. We all have so much fun getting ready together. As we prepped for the performance, everyone made sure to take half an hour to stretch and warm up. We had seven dances upcoming, and that is a lot of work! Finally everyone was made up, dressed up, and ready for the performance. We gathered just outside the stage doors for our traditional pre-show pep talk and the always-exciting RAZ! DVA! TRYZUB! that
we yell before every performance. Everyone was giving hugs and wishing each other a good show. Finally, it was time.
Hopak! A Ukrainian Spectacular was my third time performing with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, and I can honestly say it never gets old. The overture they opened with gave me goose bumps. There is nothing quite like performing with a live orchestra, hearing the musicians right behind you as you dance and catching their eyes once in a while during a show. It’s a special and very explosive collaboration. That’s not saying it’s easy... The tough thing about dancing with a live orchestra is that the sound and tempo of the music is different than the recorded versions, so you have to pay extra attention to be on time. But the challenge makes it even more fun!
The show itself was fantastic. The set had seven dances, including a number of regional and lyrical dances and TWO Hopaks! Tryzub has done many exciting performances this year, but this one definitely had one of the best set lists. There was
...continued on page 5
5
so much going on backstage: quickly changing costumes between numbers, running across the backstage area to prepare for dances and watching the performance from side stage. One very neat thing about being on stage is coming off from a dance and chatting with the other dancers about who we saw in the audience. It’s tough to see past the first few rows with the blinding stage lights in your eyes, but it’s always fun to catch a retired dancer, family member, or friend staring up at you from the orchestra pit. After a long and absolutely exhilarating show, we got to the final number - Virsky’s Hopak. If you’ve seen this dance before, you’ll know that it starts with the girls in pairs running full speed down the middle of the stage. Generally the first few pairs of girls will line up for the dance bent forward, preparing for the dramatic arm and body movements of this entrance. So, as one of the girls in the first pair, when the orchestra paused in preparation for this dance, my partner and I went to line up, bent over and ready to start running. We didn’t, however, expect the conductor to proceed to talk for two minutes about the Hopak and its meaning to Ukrainians... leaving us awkwardly stuck in our lined up position for the entire time he spoke. I have never been so happy to stretch my legs at the start of a dance!
As dancers, it is always incredible to be a part of major performance like this - the entire Ensemble, the orchestra, the immense theatre and the extremely enthusiastic audiences are things we are all grateful to have in our lives. There is such a satisfaction in knowing you gave 110% on stage, so much so that the audience roars for you and there is a smile ear to ear on the face of the Artistic Director. We have a sense of pride that comes from doing what we love, and an even greater sense of belonging doing it with people we love. From the backstage whispers to the standing ovation, September 14 was a day none of us Tryzub dancers will soon forget. □
Did you see Hopak! A Ukrainian Spectacular?Tweet us what you thought of it @TryzubUkrDance!
Artistic Director:
Vasyl Kanevets
Who’s in the Tryzub Ensemble?
Isabella AdamsStephanie AndrewsTyler Bernakevitch
Jordan BissAmy BobynEmma Bolt
Kimberley BushellKristen Bushell
Natasha ChaykowskiMichael Chez
Christina ChumakAnne CopelandMorgan DeMone Annikka DobkoVictoria DumkaMykola Gauk
Uliana KanevetsNatasha KrochakSophia KushliakBrooke Miller
Christine OchitwaCharles Pullan
Joren TzitzoglakisRachel WeisenselNathan Woynarski
Ensemble Members:
6
Tryzub was incorporated as a non-profit society on November 4, 1974. As Tryzub approaches our 40th Anniversary in 2014, we are looking for more photos and videos to add to our archives. Should you have any that you would be willing to share, please contact us at [email protected].
Tryzub School of Ukrainian Dance has been in operation since 1997. This year we have expanded to include two days of Ukrainian fundamentals classes, adding Monday to our existing Tuesday classes. With this increase in classes, we are also looking for additional instructors. Any Tryzub alumni with an interest in teaching are invited to contact Tryzub School Director, Dean Mackedenski ([email protected], 403-720-4840), to inquire about this very rewarding experience.
Chairman John Stadnyk
Vice Chairman Maria Ochitwa
Secretary Kimberly Bushell
Treasurer Evelyn Goj
Business Director Tyler Bernakevitch
Financial Director Vacant
Fundraising Director Vacant
Human Resources Emma Bolt
Touring Director Nathan Woynarski
School Director Dean Mackedenski
Member at Large Brent Bushell
Member at Large Lorraine Chanasyk-Alford
Member at Large Charles Pullan
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
7
Sunday, February 9, 2014 - 2:30 p.m. Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, Calgary, Alberta
•Tickets are available at all Ticketmaster outlets - www.ticketmaster.ca
Or by phone: 1-855-985-5000
Artistic DirectorsVitali Sorokotiaguine • Yuriy & Oksana Sholdra • Vasyl Kanevets • Andrew Popiel
RusalkaWinnipeg
TryzubCalgary
YevshanSaskatoon
TavriaRegina
A Fusion of Ukrainian Dance
8
Tryzub’s Harvest GalaRoxanna Pullan
There was plenty of snow to welcome guests to Tryzub’s Harvest Gala on November 2nd. The first significant snowfall couldn’t put a damper on the night. The cocktail hour was full of buzz as friends and family filled the Polish Canadian Culture Centre and a sharing of memories and stories was underway. As the night progressed the crowd was entertained by the quick wit of Emcee Mike Ciona and treated to the talent of the Tryzub Ukrainian Dance Ensemble and Junior Tryzub as they showcased dances from a variety of Ukraine’s regions. This year, the Zabava Committee had the band, Trembita, fill the night with polkas and groove shaking late into the night.
The Harvest Gala was a huge success due to the support provided from the community in Silent Auction donations and the attendees. Tryzub is thankful for all forms of donations we received. Every donation leads to the successful continuation of the Society which is now entering its 40th year. All of this would not be possible without the dedicated people running the events and the generous donations that have brought Tryzub to this monumental 40th year.
It seemed as though dinner had just finished when midnight snack was brought out and the high kicks and stunning acrobatics of the kolomeyka were in full effect. Soon after, we were all sweeping off our cars from the evening snowfall and that concluded another successful Harvest Gala Zabava. We hope you can join us next year!
Tryzub Zabava Committee - Sherry Falkenberg, Christine Verdonck, Evelyn Goj, Tavia Nazarko, Tiffany Gogowich, Haley McCloy, Roxanna Pullan
9
Dear Tryzub Alumni! Our 40th Anniversary is fast approaching and 2014/2015 are exciting years for our organization. Without the dedication and commitment of our dancers, board members and families over the years, we would never have reached this impressive milestone. This legacy continues as Tryzub has grown into an organization featuring the Tryzub Ensemble, Junior Tryzub and highly successful Tryzub School of Ukrainian Dance. Anyone wanting to be part of the 40th Anniversary planning is encouraged to email [email protected]. We want to hear your ideas and need your help. Let’s work together to make this an anniversary year to remember!
Tryzub Alumni Association
DECEMBER
14 Christmas in Song guest artist of the Calgary Youth Orchestra
January
4-7 Ukrainian Christmas Caroling
31 Tryzub School Zabava
February
9 Razom 2 Calgary
March
23 Razom 2 Winnipeg
May
4 Tryzub School Year End Show
June
7 & 8 Calgary Ukrainian Festival
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Alumni Update
10
July 16 - August 1, 2014
11
Razom 2 - A Fusion ofUkrainian Dance
Christina Chumak
Tryzub dancers have waited with great anticipation for the second tour of Razom. Those involved in the first production already know how wonderful of an experience Razom can be. Those who were not a part of the first show in 2009 heard plenty of stories and knew this tour was not to be missed. The first Razom, performed in the fall of 2009, was a great success and featured dancers from Edmonton, Calgary, and Winnipeg. Razom 2 combines the efforts of four groups: Saskatoon’s Yevshan, Winnipeg’s Rusalka, Regina’s Tavria, and Calgary’s Tryzub. The first two shows were performed in Saskatoon and Regina on November 9th and 10th, 2013. At
first everyone seemed relatively distant and a little nervous for the upcoming shows. With Razom 2 featuring two joint dances with all dance groups, Pryvit and Hopak, much hard work needed to be done to be ready for the stage.
Dancers arrived early on show day and worked long and hard on perfecting the dances for that evening’s performance. Finally the moment had arrived… it was show time! All the hard work and dedication
had led up to this moment. As the dancers in Pryvit stood behind the curtain, the feeling of “Razom” was felt by all. Razom means “together” and at this moment four dance groups had truly become one. A hush fell over the audience and the curtain was raised. This moment, of four groups being united, is not one every dancer can experience, and as members of Tryzub we are so blessed to have this opportunity. The audience
...continued on page 12
12
responded so warmly to all the dance groups and was sitting on the edge of their seats all the way to the much anticipated joint Hopak. The show ran seamlessly and it was obvious to all that these four groups became one.
The performance was featured the following evening in Regina with the same positive feedback from audience members and dancers. After a long and wonderful weekend, a much needed Zabava was hosted in Regina allowing all dancers to celebrate the weekend’s success. The last day was bittersweet as all dancers were tired and needed to come home but did not want to leave their new
found friendships. We look forward to featuring this performance in our home town of Calgary on February 9th, 2014, and one last time in Winnipeg on March 23rd, 2014. Razom is about bringing dancers together and showcasing what we work so hard for. As a Tryzub dancer I am proud to be a part of such a wonderful production! □
13
Platinum $10,000 +
Alberta Foundation for the ArtsAlberta Lottery FundCalgary Arts DevelopmentGovernment of AlbertaThe City of Calgary
Gold $5,000 - $9,999
Neil & Leanne HorbachewskiDr. Borys Hoshowsky Prof. Corp.Meyers Norris Penny LLP
Silver $1,000 - $4,999
Kelly & Celeste Bernakevitch Rob BurlaCalgary Ukrainian Cultural FoundationMarlene CopelandDBR MechanicalGlobalFestEvelyn GojIron Cad Drafting & Design Solutions Ltd.John StadnykTempheat Certified Mechanical (1992) Ltd.Trinidad DrillingNathan Woynarski
Pewter $500 - $999
Tim & Darlene DeMoneDean & Sherry FalkenbergDr. Paul HallErnie & Andrea HodaRichard & Debbie HorbachewskiUliana KanevetsMe Hair & BodyNuera Oilfield ServicesJim & Kathy PitchkoVeronica ProkopCharles PullanKen & Darcia PullanShane HomesGarnette SutherlandUniversity of CalgaryDon & Pam VerdonckJamie Yakimishyn
Bronze $100 - $499
80th & IvyAmazon Trading CompanyStephanie AndrewsTerry AndroyoStephanie BellGregory BerkoTyler BernakevitchPat & Gerrie BissMarie BorysDr. Jana BoychukSean & Julie BoykoBrian BukBrent & Patti BushellCa Va Bien Hair Studio & SpaCalgary Philharmonic OrchestraCalgary Ukrainian Festival Kent CameronDavid & Wendi ChelackDayton ChenMichael ChezArkadij ChumakDr. Danielle DavidsDemchuk FamilyDaena DiduckColleen DobkoMatthew DumkaEllinor Stenroos of EVStenroosFountain TiresTerri GillisTiffany GogowichHans & Mary GojAltan GulerMike & Pattie HantzschEd & Mary HodaVasyl & Anna KanevetsUliana KanevetsDr. Kelleigh KlymLydia KrillMike KushliakBill LewchukLong View SystemsLowesMcKenzie Meadows Golf CourseDean MackedenskiCarolyn MarchenkoMelanie MatwieShad MohamadMoksha Yoga CalgaryMuirfield Lakes Golf Club
Tavia NazarkoKeith NelsonChristine OchitwaMark & Maria OchitwaOgden House Ukrainian Cultural SocietyBrad & Paula OnyskoPalladium Dental StudioParenting PowerPeter PatricianRed Tree Inc.Krista SchnickMichael ScottJoan SimpsonJim SlobodzianJason StreichBorys SydorukOksana TarasenkoTelusVange & Marian TzitzoglakisNancy UnguranUsborne BooksMike VerdonckVertigo Theatre SocietyDean & Lorelei WeisenselBlaine WoycheshinRichard & Elizabeth Yacyshen
Brass Up To $99
Markian AmiotAssociation of Fundraising ProfessionalsCiaan BadenhorstBreanna BarringtonDan BiggsJordan BissDon & Marcy BobynEmma BoltNaomi BrockDavid BurtonKim BushellLeanne BzdelCalgary Flying ClubCalifornia Tan Ltd.George CalowLorraine Chanasyk-AlfordJennifer ChenIris CionaTerry CooperAndrew Dabisza
With thanks to our generous donors!
14
Kevin DanyluikE & J Gallow WinesJohn EshenkoOles & Pam EshenkoTravis FloodKendra Ann GraceJohn GreyPatti GuinanGary HabiakIryna HrabovychMorris HucalMike IlnyckyDiane IwanchukJohn KisczakRosemarie KraftPaul & Lynne KybaLarisia Hladun Prof. Corp.Bernice LesiukBarry & Allie LesiukArt MagegaRobert MaldanerMarcia MalutaPatricia MaruschakRyan MartinEmile MarxAlex & Haley McCloyBrooke MillerDennis MillerAlex MolnarJennifer MylesTerry & Milvia NazarkoJim & Pat OchitwaOlive ‘R Twist Bistro & Bar Ltd.Oolong Tea HouseEugene OlynykErnie OsadchukNoella OstashM. Gloria PiresWendy PitchkoRoxanna PullanAdrianna RependaElaine SmithEdwin StreichChris SumkaWilliam SydorukMerv & Oksana TitykJoren TzitzoglakisSusanne VatneChristine VerdonckMyron & Marianne WicentovichTamara WoodBill & Nicole WoytiukThomas YaremkoBrenda Zubkow
- DONATION FORM -YES! I want to be a donor for the Tryzub Ukrainian Dance Society.
_______ I would like my donation to be acknowledged (on our web site, Trubka, etc) _______ I would like my donation to be anonymous
First Name: _______________ Last Name: _________________Mailing Address: _________________________________________ _________________________________________City: ________________ Province: _____________ Postal Code: __________
Telephone: ____________________ E-mail: ____________________________
Please complete and send this form, along with your cheque or money order to:
Tryzub Ukrainian Dance SocietyP.O. Box 1732, Station MCalgary, Alberta T2P 2L7
** Please Note: Donations $25 or greater will be issued a tax receipt **
Donations may also be made through CanadaHelps.org via https://www.canada-helps.org/charityprofilepage.aspx?charityid=s33380