Hafford Cheremka Dance Club hosted its 28th consecutive annual Malanka celebration at the Hafford Communiplex Jan. 19.
This popular local Ukrainian new year social is a spectacular display of fine ethnic cuisine and high energy dance with colourful traditional costume.
Guests were greeted by senior dancers dressed in traditional Transcarpathian Ukrainian folk costume offering bread, which represents hospitality, and salt, which represents friendship. Despite the cold temperatures and biting winter wind, a large crowd gathered to enjoy an evening of traditional dance, good food and socializing.
The evening began with the singing of Boh Predvichny (God Eternal), which has a beautiful melody and lyrics. The meal consisted of both Canadian and Ukrainian items from roast beef and ham to holubtsi and pyrohy.
One extremely dedicated Ukrainian dance instructor travelled weekly to provide dance lessons and guidance for the aspiring dancers. Shannon Gabrush was committed to assisting the junior, intermediate and senior dancers learn the steps and meaning behind each dance. She choreographed the evening performances, which demonstrated the advancing skill, talent and agility of these youthful dancers.
The performers had made tremendous advancements since last year's performance. Many members of the audience were in awe as the youth displayed co-ordination and synchronized steps throughout the program. Energetic jumping, quick foot work, fast spins that caused the dresses and ribbons to display their colour, high leg kicks and lifts that demonstrated unity and strength were well received by the sold-out audience. It was pure enjoyment to watch these vibrant dancers between the ages of six and 17 perform with such passion and excitement.
The high-energy performances demonstrated dances from various regions of Ukraine. It was evident that many hours of practice went into the performances especially with the footwork and dynamic feats by the male dancers. The dance club has some promising dancers.
Once again, the instructor should be commended for sharing her time with the Cheremka Dance Club and teaching the dancers a stylized art form that is preserving the culture. It takes dedicated parents and family units to provide an opportunity for their children to learn traditional dance and characteristic movements that define the Ukrainian culture. Finally, the students should be commended for displaying the dedication and discipline to continue with the classes. The end result: a spectacular display of music, dance, athletics and colour.
The 34 aspiring performers for the evening were Jessica Rice, Reese Cherwinski, Morgan Dubyk, Summer Dewart, Lonnie Yasieniuk, Carson Derksen, Courtney Yasieniuk, Kristen Welkie, Chelsea Boyko, Hailey Prystupa, Kyle Striga, Amber Toews, Cabri Tanchak, Brooke Kowalchuk, Leah Kohut, Jeri Yasieniuk, Taylinn Cherwinski, Mitchell Tanchak, Keanna Svendsen Striga, Justin Yasieniuk, Alanna Hawrysh, Frankie Yasieniuk, Scott Markewich, Tyler Yasieniuk, Michael Horner, Andrew Derksen, Jenny Markewich, Ashley Kowalchuk, Megan Jones, Rayleen Roth, Erica Horner, Joseph Tanchak, Kolten Yasieniuk, and Marina Rice.
The evening continued with the guests dancing to the music of Half Na Piv, a four-piece Saskatoon-based band consisting of Steve Kodak on drums and vocals, Tony Hawrysh on bass and guitar, Paul Kodak on guitar and vocals,and Steve Harasymchuck on violin, accordion, bass and vocals. This dynamic band, with one hometown Hafford boy, has been entertaining audiences for six years playing a variety of musical genres but specializing in Ukrainian selections.
