Sadok Ukrainian Dance Ensemble (submitted photo)

By Vernon Matters Staff

public invited

Hope is focus of Okanagan Ukrainian Festival in Vernon

May 23, 2024 | 7:00 AM

The public is invited to the Okanagan Ukrainian Festival this Sunday (May 31) at 2 p.m. at the Vernon Performing Arts Centre, featuring an afternoon of dance, music and Ukrainian Spirit.

“The focus of these year’s theme is Hope – NADIYA. A gentle reminder to the audience that the war rages on in Ukraine (started in 2022) and that donations are vital for humanitarian aid,” Andrea Malysh, artistic director of Sadok Ukrainian Dance Ensemble, said.

Admission is by donation with funds going to Ukraine Humanitarian Aid.

Submitted image

This year, Sadok celebrates their Ukrainian Canadian heritage with special guests, soloist Stephane Harcott of the Pokotillo Ukrainian Dancers of Kamloops, Dolyna Ukrainian Dancers of Kelowna and Vita Nova Choral Ensemble under the direction of Tami Harker, along with a special performance by Sadok Alumni.

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Vita Nova (meaning New Life) had it’s first concert in June of 2021 with six families coming together to make music in Falkland and Salmon Arm. The choir soon grew and now performs two concerts a year in Salmon Arm and Vernon. It consists of non-auditioned singers and also a Chamber String ensemble.

“Their main goal is to share the joy of making music to uplift those around them as well as themselves. They sing and dine together weekly and with a purpose of gathering socially and musically,” Malysh explained.

The Sadok Ukrainian Dance Ensemble is a local dance theatre troupe that pushes the boundaries of its unique art form by entertaining and educating their audience about their Ukrainian Canadian Heritage.

Sadok recently welcomed newcomers from Ukraine into their dance family. Two adult dancers, Natalia Derevnianets from Kyiv and Artem Fodorov from Odessa, share their connection to their culture through Ukrainian dance.

“For a girl who loves her native country, appreciates history and is proud of traditions, the opportunity to wear a traditional costume and dance Ukrainian folk dances is a breath of much-needed air,” Derevnianets said.

“I am looking forward to the concert in May. I also love the fun selection of warm-up music for rehearsals. Thank you to Sadok for the opportunity to be myself even so far from home.”

“Dancing with Sadok is an enjoyable part of my life. Everybody is really energetic and ready to share their experiences,” Fodorov remarked.

The Children Ensemble is a group of nine talented newcomers hailing from different cities across the beautiful country of Ukraine. In Sadok, students learn not only the art of Ukrainian dancing but also about Ukraine’s rich culture through history and singing lessons led by instructor, Kseniia Rudenko.

This is the 29th theatrical dance and music production choreographed by Artistic Director Andrea Malysh. Through her fourty years of Ukrainian Folk Dance and ethnographic studies, Malysh has had the privilege to work with other professional instructors and regional experts in Canada, Australia and Ukraine.

In 2006, Malysh was awarded a diploma from the School of Choreography at the Virsky National University of Arts and Culture in Kyiv, Ukraine.

For more info on Sadok: visit www.sadok.net