Zabava rings in new year Ukrainian style

The Ukrainian Musicians Association is resurrecting a traditional celebration to ring in the new year in Brandon and raise funds for an estimated $120,000 expansion of its hall of fame.

The New Year’s Eve zabava, known as a Ukrainian party, will be held tonight in the Grand Salon at the Victoria Inn.

Zabavas are similar to a big reunion, bringing people of all ages together and are held anytime of the year, said UMA president Pamela Nowosad-Federowich.

“The focus is on the food. It’s on the music and having a really good time and just celebrating the culture,” she said.

The non-profit organization would host a zabava as a fundraising event back when it was formed in 2002 by a group of people focused on preserving the legacy of Ukrainian-Canadian musicians across Western Canada.

The current fundraising efforts will jumpstart the lengthy process of possibly adding another building at the Selo Ukraina — or Ukrainian Village — south of Dauphin, Nowosad-Federowich said.

UMA hopes to expand the Ukrainian Musicians Hall of Fame that showcases musical instruments, LP records, cassette tapes and other memorabilia donated by the families of musicians who have been inducted into the hall of fame, which opened in May 2010.

These artifacts and displays encompass the artists’ contribution to the Ukrainian-Canadian musical landscape, Nowosad-Federowich said.

“We want an area exclusively ours that can showcase this, you know, in its own home, in its own venue,” she said, adding that it’s going to take “quite a bit of funding” to expand the hall of fame, but it speaks to the importance of honouring the legacy of Ukrainian-Canadian musicians.

There’s a lot of younger, up-and-coming musicians who have been influenced by musicians dating back to 60 years ago, Nowosad-Federowich said. An example is the Ukrainian-Canadian pop music duo Mickey and Bunny — who were inducted into the Ukrainian Musicians Hall of Fame — and were likely one of the most influential musical acts of their time, she said.

“I think it’s really important to raise the profile of Ukrainian-Canadian music because a lot of people aren’t aware of, you know, some of the musicians through the decades that have shaped the Ukrainian-Canadian music as it is today,” she said.

Nowosad-Federowich said the Manitoba branch of the UMA hopes to host zabavas annually and have the celebrations in other regions they represent in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario.

The Brandon zabava will feature live entertainment from Alberta act Brandon Hachkowski and Ukrainian Tradition and appearances by various music legends, including some who have been playing for more than 50 years, she said.

UMA board members, including Nowosad-Federowich, will be performing throughout the evening.

“It’s a wealth of music, and it’s going to be one big celebration,” she said. It’s a way of “ensuring that we always remember where our roots came from.”

Nowosad-Federowich started playing the keyboard and singing in her family’s band Boris Nowosad and The Melody Kings at 15 years old — a passion she has continued for more than 30 years.

Now it feels “surreal” to be playing in the Dauphin-based band with her 17-year-old son, who plays fiddle and drums, and her dad, who also plays the fiddle, she said.

The band has been around for more than 60 years and has had various band members over time. Nowosad-Federowich said it’s not too often that people hear of a band performing together for several decades because people pass away or leave the group. However, she’s thankful to be a part of the band and an organization that gives Ukrainian-Canadian music the recognition it deserves.

“My musical legacy started with my grandfather and down through my father and myself and now my son,” she said. “There’s a future here and there are younger generations who are willing to carry on these legacies. So, to me, that’s very important, and I’m very honoured to be able to bring this event to Brandon.”

More than 100 people have already bought event tickets, which can still be purchased in advance for $65 with cash by contacting Nowosad-Federowich at 204-648-4507 or by e-transfer to ukrmusicians.association@gmail.com.

People can start arriving by 5 p.m. and the turkey dinner, which includes homemade perogies, will be served at 6 p.m. The live music will begin at 9 p.m. and a late lunch will be provided. The event will also have door prizes and a raffle draw to help fundraise.

» tadamski@brandonsun.com