Dnipro Choir in Calgary September 27,2014

After Calgary's snow dump of September 2014 the warm weather has returned. Gardeners across the city are busily cleaning up broken branches, and salvaging vegetables that survived the thick blanket of snow. As I picked my kiwi's (thrilled with my little bowl of green grape size babies), pondered over the grapes (they will become raisins this year), collect the last few tomatoes that hid from the cold, and pick the frozen raspberries left on the branch, I start singing. Of course, the garden songs are usually my favorite Ukrainian folk songs. My heart fills with warmth, my ears remember the resonant harmonies of friends singing together and.....

There is a compassion bred of being connected to the Ukrainian idea, but there is a deeper spiritual and soulful connection that warms the heart when choristers synchronize their hearts, minds and breath. And anybody who knows Edmonton's Ukrainian community recognizes there is something special about its embrace. Part of the hromada's resilience, in my opinion, has to do with the feeling of gratitude, and feeling of belonging fostered through choral singing. And Edmonton's Ukrainian Dnipro Choir is celebrating its 60th anniversary of music making by bringing their Musical Kaleidoscope to Calgary on Saturday, September 27, 2014 at the Cathedral Church of the Redeemer in Calgary, located on the corner of 7th avenue and 1st Street.

Dnipro Choir presents an all Canadian program featuring the choral works of Canadians of Ukrainian heritage: Serhiy Eremenko, Yuri Fiala, Roman Hurko, Oleksander Koshets, Larysa Kuzmenko, Zenoby Lawryshyn, Denis Lucyshyn, Joanna Estelle-Storoschuk, and Willi Zwozdesky.

Is it possible that this wonderfully diverse Ukrainian community has been breathing together, synchronizing their heartbeats, and harmonizing, and sharing the pleasures of Ukrainian choral music for 6 decades? And going strong!!  Sixty years of choral programs, sixty years of eager singers, sixty years of printed music, sixty years of musical leadership, and sixty years of choral excellence. For more information check www.dniprochoir.com

Psalms to the Almighty - Luminous Voices - August 23. 24, 2014

Calgary and Edmonton events of this sort are rare and special! Sacred Music of Ukraine, a programme sung by Calgary's "Luminous Voices" will be presented on Saturday, August 23, 2014 in Edmonton and on Sunday, August 24, 2014 in Calgary! Please share this information widely with friends, family and the entire community of music lovers!

Artem Vedel's (1767-1808) Masterpieces of Ukrainian Classical Choral Music will be presented through the Artistic Leadership of Timothy Shantz, and the Luminous Voices of Calgary. Luminous Voices, Calgary's first professional choir, has turned its attention to the great majestic beauty of Artem Vedel's musical legacy. A recording project seems imminent!!

Two performances will be shared.  In Edmonton at St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral, and in Calgary at St. Vladimir's Ukrainian Orthodox Congregation. Attendance is free, and the churches will offer opportunities to donate to Orthodox and Catholic charities working in Ukraine.

Quoting Lilea Wolansky of the UMF, "In view of the critical situation in Ukraine, it is fitting that on the 22nd anniversary of Ukrainian Independence, we have this opportunity to lift our hearts with these beautiful psalms to the Almighty."

Stephania's CD Release Event - March 2

Fans of great Ukrainian Estradna Musika will be thrilled to hear that Stephania Romaniuk is performing again - and releasing a great new recording of the songs of Bohdan Wesolowsky (among others). Joined by top jazz musicians from Calgary, her premier recording of all-new arrangements of Ukrainian retro-pop songs from the 30-50's will definitely redefine Ukrainian Cabaret! Imagine swing, latin jazz, rhumba, tango, bolero, and the wonderful vocal stylings of Stephania - wow!

The Ukrainian diaspora community really makes things happen - thanks to a successful Kickstarter campaign, and with financial support from a variety of foundations including the Taras Shevchenko Foundation, Бували дні, By-Gone Days will be a special addition to your listening favorites.

You can enjoy Stephania performing songs from her debut album on Sunday, March 2, 2014 at St. John's Institute (11024 82 Ave NW, Edmonton). For more information you can call (780) 439-2320. Make sure to get tickets soon - here is some contact information. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1686146502/by-gone-days-ukrainian-jazz
www.stephaniaromaniuk.com

Great news! Stephania's song "Summer" will be featured on the Shevchenko Foundation's 50th Anniversary Commemorative Album!

Millenia's Upcoming CD Release Party

Just loving the Ukrainian diaspora in Canada these days! A century and more of proud Canadian citizenship, flavoured with a groundswell of love, appreciation and identification with the ancestral homeland! Where else can you find that?

Through the Ukrainian grapevine I heard there is no better way to share the love than a Ukrainian zabava! And for a very special zabava, it's time to for Millenia Band of Edmonton's upcoming CD release on Saturday, February 15, 2014!

It will be a great evening of Millenia's Ukrainian zabava music, a special performance by Dunai Дунай Ukrainian Dancers of Edmonton, and a traditionally delicious Ukrainian late lunch at almost midnight! Gotta keep up the energy for great zabava dancing into the wee hours! This is an all ages event!

The event will be held at the Oilfield Technical Society 2104 156 St. SW, Edmonton AB. Doors open at 8:00pm, show starts at 9:00pm, Saturday February 15th.

For more information check https://www.facebook.com/Milleniaband or at info@milleniaband.com.   Дякую!

Millenia is also playing for the Ukrainian Student's Club of the University of Alberta later in the month, too!