Dance festival showcases Ukrainian culture

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This article was published 14/04/2018 (2911 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

From floral headdresses and embroidered blouses, down to the colourful skirts and red boots, traditional costumes are on full, vibrant display at the Troyanda School of Ukrainian Dance Festival this weekend.

The Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium has welcomed more than 1,000 dancers and instructors from 32 clubs across Manitoba and Saskatchewan for the biennial event.

“We basically want to just highlight the Ukrainian culture and showcase it really, through the art of dance,” said Troyanda president Curtis Hullick. “That’s what we’re trying to achieve.”

Hullick has been involved with the local club for about five years, along with his daughter Sophia, 9, and son Charlie, 7.

“They really enjoy it. For the girls, it’s about the spins and the flowers and the costumes and the friends — and I think that’s what this weekend is all about,” he said. “It’s called a competition and a festival, but there’s a lot about the friendships that some of these different clubs make … For the boys, it’s about the moves that they can do, their specific dance moves, because they have a lot of fun doing it.”

The three-day festival has back-to-back competitions, which start at 10 a.m. and run until 10 p.m.

For Troyanda member Mikayla Kurchaba, 15, the festival is one of her favourite events.

“I love watching all the different dances, and you meet so many people,” she said. “I’ve made so many friends through Ukrainian dance.”

Kurchaba started dancing at the young age of three, and now teaches the younger groups.

“I love expressing my culture, bringing it to other people … and teaching the younger kids,” she said. “It makes me feel proud about our heritage.”

Garrett Gottfried, a dance instructor from Arborg, brought a group of 30 dancers to the festival.

He said the event is all about “entertainment, fun and camaraderie.”

“It’s nice because you come back here and you see all the people from the previous years,” he said. “Sometimes this is the only time you see these people. It’s a very nice community of people to get along with.”

Savannah Blandford, 15, from Arborg, said it is exciting to get feedback on their dances, to hear how they could improve.

“It’s also super nerve-racking, because you don’t know what everybody’s going to think and there’s just so many people watching you,” she said.

“But it’s lots of fun. I like coming to competitions.”

Just before she took the stage, Pamela May of Mitchell spoke with The Brandon Sun.

“My stomach is in knots, but that’s OK,” she said. “We always have a lot of fun here.”

May danced for 14 years growing up, and is currently in her eighth season of teaching in Sarto.

“I have four kids … and they are all hockey players but they are also all dancers, which just makes me super happy,” she said. “Keeping the Ukrainian culture alive is really important to me.”

May spoke about the many benefits associated with Ukrainian dance, which includes gaining friendships, confidence, and learning new skills.

“They sure come out of their shell when they’re put on stage. They overcome a lot of that, and they work really well together,” she said.

“They learn it’s a great athletic sport.”

The festival continues at the WMCA today and tomorrow. The public is welcome to attend; admission is $10 per day, or a weekend pass for $25. Children 10 and under are free.

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