ZABAVA on Whyte Avenue (Edmonton)

For three days of epic arts and culture, the only feature celebration site in Edmonton during the 2013 Alberta Culture Days will happening at St. John's Institute on Whyte Avenue (near the University of Alberta). All events are free, all fun, and full of cultural richness - all you need to do is arrive in a Ukrainian blouse or shirt! Come out to support the community's Ukrainian artists, performing and visual. Industrious volunteers could help with the pyrogy pinching party, or help out in other ways.

Just make sure to be there for the Saturday night zabava right on Whyte Avenue - the street will closed! And Trembita Ukrainian Band wants you there for the fun!

BORSHCH FEST - Ukrainian Male Chorus

The Ukrainian Male Chorus of Edmonton was recently in Southern Alberta on their mission to promote Ukrainian Music to the world.  Their trip to Banff, with the free admission performance was a great opportunity to reconnect with the past.  The significance of Southern Alberta in the Ukrainian Canadian experience is a treasure of stories, mostly untold - perhaps time to reveal a snapshot?  Stories of opportunity, adventure, sacrifice, contributions and resilience!

Did you know how many Ukrainian labourers were involved in the building of the Banff Cave and Basin Hot Springs facility?  Did you know about the internment camp at Castle Mountain?  Well, a look into Ukrainian Canadian history, and a glimpse at the huge migration of Ukrainian immigrants to the southern Alberta region say, a hundred years ago tells an important story.

The choir also came to sing the responses to the Liturgy at St. Vladimir's Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Calgary.  With the impromptu performance of Ukrainian folk songs after the Liturgy and Coffee Fellowship, the choir showcased its versatility, excellence, and great passion for the Choral Tradition of Ukraine, and Choral Tradition of Western Canada.  The experienced, yet fresh and enthusiastic approach to Ukrainian Choral Music in Canada's 2012 - what a gift!

If you enjoy this Ukrainian Choral Tradition, perhaps the Ukrainian Male Chorus's next big event is for you?

They are holding a special event called  Borshch Fest - Do Not Wear White on Saturday, October 13, 2012 at 6PM at St. John's Cultural Centre - 10611-110 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta.  Make sure you get your tickets soon - it's bound to be a lively and entertaining cultural event! 

I hope they make it a tradition!! 

	Tickets: $40 - Buy 10 and you get to reserve a Table! Be the first on your block! Tickets are limited, so don't delay! 6 pm - Cocktails and borsh...ch tasting 7 pm - Celebrity Cook-off, judging, and performance by Ukrainian Male Chorus of Edmonton 9 pm - Dance by Barvinok 10:15 pm - Lunch For tickets please contact: Bo: 780-717-3609 Dave: 780-863-8877 umctickets@gmail.comSee

Calgary Visit of Ukrainian Male Chorus of Edmonton



at Mukachevo, Ukraine - infoukes.com

A few weeks ago I was speaking with Orest Soltykevych of Edmonton, and he surprised me with the news that the UKRAINIAN MALE CHORUS OF EDMONTON is coming to sing in Calgary this month.  What lovely news! 

I just love the sound of male voices, especially singing together!  The liturgical music of the Ukrainian tradition is so moving.  Prayerful, deep, rich, resonant sounds - the enveloping sounds that make my spirit remember the hopes and dreams of my ancestors.  The sound of Hospodi pomiluj!  touches my heart in a way no other prayer does. 

Orest said that the choir has decided to take the opportunity to promote the Ukrainian choral tradition by touring various centres in Western Canada. 

They are coming to Calgary to sing the responses to the Divine Liturgy, on Sunday, June 24 at St. Vladimir’s Ukrainian Orthodox Congregation at 404 Meredith Road NE.

I sincerely hope you will come and participate in the worship service! 

Remember to mark this date on your calendar - come for the prayer and worship together.