St. John's Institute Fundraising Gala 2015

YEG is so blessed with St. John's Institute.  SJI is a wonderful non profit affordable housing option, in a desirable location near the University of Alberta  - with a reputation for exceptional food and welcome hosting of arts and cultural events. Visit SJI at http://www.stjohnsinstitute.com/

The amazing work of community building across many generations continues at St. John's Institute Edmonton. While I have been there for (compliments to the kitchen!) pyrogy supper, and my daughter did spent more than one summer living at SJI during her studies, just a few blocks from the U of A, I can't believe my misfortune (misjudgement of schedule!) of missing the recently sponsored concerts by my favorite Ukrainian musicians, Піккардійська Терція, в Едмонтоні! And all the extras I have mentioned don't even come close to recognizing the many decades of Ukrainian student life that has been fostered at SJ!. 

Folks, it's official! If you like what the SJI people do, and want to support their upcoming projects, you will be in good company to join them on Saturday Feb 7 at the "Show Me the Money" Fundraising Gala! on Saturday, February 7, 2015 at the Palace, 3223 Parsons Road (99 Street) Edmonton. 

I understand Suzanna and the board have arranged for live performances by Mercury Opera, Viter Ukrainian Dancers & Folk Choir, and Toy Guns Dance Theatre. That is, after the highly social cocktails, delicious dinner and amazing dance social by Steppe.

Contact SJI at , 780-439-2320, arts_culture@stjohnsinstitute.com for tickets!!

Classical Music for Ukraine

Canada has certainly been a friend in need, an advocate for governmental support, and local activism during the recent political and military upheaval in Ukraine. Since the remarkable Revolution of Dignity in November 2013, Ukraine has both triumphed and been challenged, as it sets its course for the future - a true battle in no uncertain terms. Calgarians have been raising funds to materially and emotionally support those in the "line of fire", especially (but not solely) through medical aid support.

In a celebration of our deepest human values, Calgary's Stephania Romaniuk, and advanced students of the Mount Royal Conservatory have joined efforts for a fundraising concert, a program of Classical Music for Ukraine, Sunday, February 15, 2015 at 2 p.m. at the Leacock Theatre, Mount Royal University, 4825 Mount Royal Gate SW Calgary, AB T3E 6K6.

Nando Malysh 2015

Stephania's gregarious nature, and heart of gold have invited others to passionately embrace this lovely call to duty. The program features the talents of Stephania Romaniuk, mezzo-soprano & artistic director, Tanya Chumak, ballerina, Daniel Dastoor, violin, Cheryl Emery, piano, Lindsey Herle, violin, Minja McKenna, viola, and Andrew Tai-Soon Park, cello. The concert of art songs, arias and instrumental music will also embrace select Ukrainian art songs, gems to welcome into the Classical canon. A rich, fulfilling musical experience awaits.

Stephania's ambition is to travel to Ukraine to contribute in person to the humanitarian effort in person later this spring. A three city concert tour to Odessa, Lviv, Kyiv (Odessa Opera House - Kvitka Cisyk Tribute Concert featuring Dzhamala and other Ukrainian pop stars, Lviv Pototsky Palace featuring Oksana Mukha, Pavlo Tabakov, Choir "Orfei" and others, and L'viv Military Hospital, Kyiv Philharmonia and Canadian Embassy in Kyiv) April 2-12, 2015.

Stephania Romaniuk 2015

If you are needing a study break with beautiful classical music, or mission driven to help an important cause, you will be in good company at Classical Music for Ukraine. For more information on how to get the most of your music-listening experience, or how to contribute to the "help Ukraine" effort, please contact Stephania at 587.228.0220.

Stephania and string quartet will also be performing the repertoire from these tour dates in the Calgary's competitive city-wide Performing Arts Festival in March 2015. The musicians have also been invited to perform (other repertoire) at the BELLA: Fundraiser for the Calgary Health Region, taking place March 11, 2015 at Holt Renfrew (Tickets $500/Seat, $5,000 per VIP table of 6)

Hart's Annual Summer Camp Auction 2015

The wonderful people at HART are again sending thousands of underprivileged children from Ukraine, Moldova and Belarus to summer camp.  And you can be part of this life changing experience for these beautiful children.  Children with special needs, socio-economic difficulty, street kids, foster kids, orphans, gypsies, and otherwise displaced children are welcomed into the HART summer camp experience.  The socio-political and economic reality of their everyday growing up is a difficult place to dream, and hope for a positive future.  And the HART program aspires to give these children a breathing space, an opportunity for dreams - dreams of a peaceful future.  Give them the gift of "resilience", contribute to HART.  

On March 13, 2015, Calgary's Centre Street Church at 3900 2nd Street NE is the venue for a silent and live auction, a delicious Ukrainian dinner, Ukrainian dance performance, and live commentary to accompany the photo video presentation of HART's work.  

Contact their office here in Calgary for further information about HART, and for tickets.
317 - 37 Ave. NE, Suite 200
Calgary, AB, Canada
T2E 6P6
E-mail: office@hart.ca
Telephone: 403.230.8263

Information: Toll Free: 1-888-788-3880

Ukrainian Fashion Design

shopping in Lviv!  

Recently the Italian Valentino Fashion House featured a new collection for spring summer - the 2015 designs drew inspiration from the traditional embroidery and clothing items of Eastern Europe. Shoes, embroidered shirts, sleeveless jackets with sheepskin trim, and the traditional shape of a zhupan - a women's over-vest. Guests appreciated the colorful red and black embroidery and the braided hair designs. The explosion of floral embroideries on elegantly styled fashions certainly caught observers by surprise, but why?

Not long ago, while walking in Lviv's attractive arts scene, overwhelmed with the beautiful design, I nonchalantly photographed these amazing boots for sale. They were by far the most interesting adaptations of traditional/modern footwear. I should have bought them on the spot and regret walking past. Alas, my achingly heavy suitcase contained so many treasures there was no room for more. But you can be assured that my next trip will certainly focus on the remarkably beautiful designer fashions being created in Ukraine. Ethnic elements, traditional shapes, designs, so feminine, and luxurious - just have to get there soon!!

ps can you recommend any online shopping for these types of fashions?

May the Circle Be Unbroken

In the deep, darkest, coldest part of the winter comes the light - a message of hope through eternity.  I have been thinking about recent highly magnified Hubble telescope images that show three pillars of dust, and the birth of new stars beyond.  Am I the only one whose meditations lead me to link these images to the Three Wise Men following the Star to Bethlehem - to a perfect moment in time and place, a little enclosed space, to witness to the birth of the energy that is our universe? Where does the Light of Love and Life come from? Are words enough to convey such a deep and profound mystery?  Can a human mind even comprehend the immensity of its message?

My husband brought in our Diduch-Grandfather to our Sviata Vecherya feast last night - the eve of Christmas by the Eastern Christian tradition.  Is it possible that the ancients had glimmers of these same images - deep in their meditative quests for understanding? Twelve meatless dishes, kutia, borsch, holubtsi, varenyky, mushrooms of all sorts, fish of several types, stewed fruit - dishes made of simple ingredients.  Watching the stars, learning to see beyond them....  Like life, Sviata Vecherya is time consuming, layered with flavours of the field, the forest, the rivers, and the orchard.  Layered with the flavours of joy, sorrow, passion and inquiry!  What a delicious meal!

Khrystos Razhdayetsia - Slavimo Yoho!!