By Caitlin Brezinski

Local dance club brings tradition to life

Nov 16, 2014 | 7:24 AM

On Saturday night the Barveenok Ukrainian Dancer’s performed in front of a packed audience in Prince Albert.  

The dancers were happy to showcase their talents in the Obzhynky Harvest Gala . Obzhynky is a traditional celebration for the Ukrainian community.

“It’s basically celebrating harvest as done,” said Robert Tessier, president of the group and co-chair of the event.  “In the Ukrainian community, a lot of the pioneers, they would always have this gathering of the community and … celebrate the fact that harvest went well and (they are) ready for winter.”

Tessier said the event is also a fundraiser for their club and a way for the dancers to prepare before competing in dance festivals in the spring. 

“We want to showcase the talent of our kids,” he said. “It’s the beginning of the dance season so our dancers would have just learned some of their dances for the year. This is an opportunity for them to just … try out their routine and show us what they’ve got.”

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The club has dancers from ages three to 18 and various groups within the club performed throughout the night.

Allison Oleksyn’s intermediate group performed two dances during the evening. Oleksyn, 10, has been dancing with the group for the past five years. 

“It seemed like it was a good opportunity to start when I was little so then I could do it lots and it just seemed really fun and I actually am enjoying it,” she said.

Micayla Storoschuk, 15, performed as part of the senior group. She has been dancing with the club for the past ten years and said being involved in Ukrainian dancing is important to her and her family. 

“It made my Baba happy and I wanted to get my vinok which symbolizes becoming a woman in Ukrainian history,” she said.

Jaremy Salahub, 8, just started dancing last year but said he is enjoying it so far. He performed with the junior group. 

“It’s very fun to do it,” he said. “It’s fun to just get active and just play with it.”

The evening began with cocktails and supper then the dancers were able to perform. The Veselka choir and Ukranian band from Saskatoon, Hot Tamales, performed at the event. There were also prizes and a silent auction. 

Tessier said he is thankful to everyone who came out to support the club.

“The Ukrainian community is quite large, it goes far, a lot of different towns and we just try to bring everybody together to keep doing that,” he said.

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