VANCOUVER, B.C. On June 26, the Dovbush Dancers present MOSAIC, an evening of Ukrainian dance and culture, featuring guests Vostok, Tropak Ukrainian Dance Theatre, The Wheat in the Barley and the AUUC’s Druzhba Dancers. “Ukrainian Folk-Stage Dance is famed for its exuberance, colourful costumes and brilliant virtuosity, and has exploded in popularity around the world,” according to The Scotiabank Dance Centre. This unique event dovetails with the 125th anniversary of Ukrainians in Canada.
The Dovbush Dancers, a 20-member ensemble, is eager to present their first full-length concert in over 18 years, with support from their parent organization the Association of United Ukrainian Canadians. “Trained in classical ballet alongside regional choreography, the dancers recently traveled to Ukraine to study at the world renowned Virsky studio, immersing themselves in Ukrainian dance and culture,” said Artistic Director Debbie Karras. “We have sourced authentic costumes and motifs and have invited some of the most dynamic local guests to create an exciting blend of vibrant costumes, dance and music.” Dovbush has had a unique impact on the local dance community with their exhilarating live performances and multidisciplinary work. Presenting authentic Ukrainian dance and music in a stunning and modern production together with musical artists Vostok, The Wheat in the Barley and dance ensembles Tropak Ukrainian Dance Theatre and the AUUC’s Druzhba Dancers, these distinct groups assemble for one night of dance, music and culture.
MOSAIC is a one night only performance starting at 7:30 pm on June 26th, at the Centennial Theatre in North Vancouver at 2300 Lonsdale Ave. For tickets, please call 604-984-4484. Regular Box Office hours are Monday to Friday, 12:00pm – 5:00pm and Saturday 1:00pm – 5:00pm.; email CTCBoxOffice@nvrc.ca or visit www.centennialtheatre.com.
Media Contact:
Katherine Alpen or Debbie Karras
Email: dovbushpublicity@auucvancouver.ca
Tel: 604 254-3436
Twitter: @AUUCVancDance
Facebook.com/AUUCVancouver
Web: dovbush.webs.com / www.auucvancouver.ca
Background:
The Dovbush Dancers are a highly-trained Ukrainian Folk-Stage dance ensemble whose name derives from Oleksa Dovbush, the folk hero who was born in 1700 in the Carpathian Mountains. This young and vibrant group embraces the significant place that song and dance hold in Ukrainian tradition, performing dances from many of the vast regions of Ukraine. The group operates under the auspices of the Association of United Ukrainian Canadians, which has been an integral part of the Ukrainian community in Vancouver for 88 years. Dovbush consists of approximately twenty dancers aged 15-40, and the company has built an outstanding reputation for excellence and authenticity, performing at festivals, community events and competitions.
Vostok, “the East” is an all-female a cappella trio specializing in music from Eastern Europe and the Balkans. Based in East Vancouver, Vostok was founded in 2014 as the resident singing group of the interdisciplinary theatre company, The Troika Collective. The Troika Collective uses Eastern European culture and history as a lens through which to explore universally resonant stories and themes, and Vostok fits well with this mandate. Singing in over 10 languages and dialects, vocalists Aliya Griffin, Lauren Kresawaty, and Emily Villavicencio deliver a rich and varied set. A Russian lullaby, a dissonant Bulgarian chant, a Ukrainian spring song first heard on a Kiev subway – Vostok’s songs take the listener from bliss to despair and back again.
Tropak is a vibrant, exciting company which brings together dancers dedicated to the purpose of cultivating Ukrainian dance as a Canadian art form. Ukrainian dance, as performed by Tropak Ukrainian Dance Theatre, is both sensual and magical as well as colourful and energetic. This is dance with a universal appeal, featuring elements of Ukrainian folk dance refined through the prism of classical ballet, and presented with panache and passion.
The Wheat in the Barley presents Canadian roots music with a major make-over. Crack songwriting, brilliant and warped arrangements and stunning instrumental solos unite under the banner of a savvy eclecticism that’s always been the band’s guiding light. Drawing from many influences: Celtic, Slavic, French Canadian, Yiddish and Cajun, the Wheat in the Barley will be performing a selection of Slavic tunes true to band member Steve Gidora’s Ukrainian heritage. The Wheat in the Barley have been a mainstay at the BC Ukrainian Dance Festival and with an impressive array of instruments, they are sure to entertain.
Videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pc-lbMR2q-I (Dovbush promo for the Dance Centre)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpOuf-LPccA (Dovbush at the Teochew Convention)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VISkDpIQm8 (The Wheat in the Barley at Blue Frog)
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