Що То За Предиво! Оh! What a Wonder!

Calgary's Spiritus Chamber Choir just released their newest CD over the weekend!  Artistic Director Timothy Shantz and the choir have created an excellent recording music for the Advent, Christmas and winter season for everyone to enjoy.  Of note for Ukrainiancalgary readers, are two very special pieces of Eastern European and Slavic flavour.

The first of these is a beautiful performance of the Богородице Діво! ( Bohoroditse Devo!)  by Arvo Pärt,  the most prominent living Estonian classical composer.  The piece is a refreshing setting of the familiar Prayer to the Theotokos of Eastern Orthodox tradition - just lovely.  

The other is going to be a favorite everywhere in the Ukrainian world.  Що То За Предиво! (Oh! What a Wonder!) arranged by Vasyl Barvinsky featuring brilliant soprano soloist Nina Hornjatkevyc.  Her pure sound is just a beautiful crowning soprano over Spiritus's full choral embrace. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ev7yRgwJ9V4 Just beautiful!  

Compliments to Spiritus Chamber Choir on the launch of their new CD - All the Stars Looked Down.  For more information and to purchase the recording -  http://spirituschamberchoir.ca/.

UkeTube - Ukrainian Media

With over a million viewers, UkeTube is the Ukrainian version of YouTube - a treasure chest of stuff I have recently discovered and want to share with everyone.  Something I hope you will bookmark and visit often.

Supported by the  Shevchenko Foundation, and a variety of churches, and organizations, the premise of this UkeTube is to ensure that complex ideas and identities are not reduced to a single snapshot that media can manipulate.  Visit often, learn, be entertained, and pass it on!.
http://www.youtube.com/user/uketube

YALYNKA MALANKA in Strathmore 2013

Just east of Calgary is a lovely community called Strathmore, where it turns out there is an active Ukrainian community who are again hosting their annual YALYNKA MALANKA!  Ялинки-Маланка! They certainly have a great band, one of Alberta's best Dance Bands - absolutedanceband.com.  And I can personally attest to some of their strongest culinary traditions in Strathmore - delicious! 

For a late season MALANKA on February 2, 2013 - make sure to book tickets to the YALYNKA MALANKA in Strathmore, Alberta.  

TREMBITA Ukrainian Band CD Release Party

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The TREMBITA Ukrainian Dance Band of central Alberta has just released their newest recording!  In celebration of their 35 years of polka and the KEEP CALM AND POLKA ON movement, the TREMBITA band is releasing their 3rd CD entitled "KEEP CALM AND POLKA ON".

The CD Release party is taking place on Saturday, December 8 at the Ardrossan Recreation Complex.
The Opening Act will be "Psychic City" - another group of fine musicians!

For more information and ADVANCE TICKETS ONLY please contact Slavko at 780-278-8336/780-417-3338 or Paul at 780-916-6786.  You could also email to trembita.band@gmail.com.

Congratulations TREMBITA! I have loved your polkas, waltzes, and kolomeyka dance music over the years,  and hope to again soon!

For more information about Trembita - the Hutsula Horn check this blog site at http://folklored.blogspot.ca/2012/07/trembitas-hutsul-horn.html 

St. Stephen's MALANKA 2013

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Calgary's first Ukrainian New Year's MALANKA Новорічна Маланка! of the season is going to be quite the event!  The lovely people at St. Stephen's Protomartyr Ukrainian Catholic Church have planned a special evening of celebration to mark the Ukrainian New Year on Friday, January 11th, 2013.  For an excellent meal and seasonal entertainment make sure to book your tickets soon!  For more information contact Ed Tysowski - 403-547-3226  or check online at www.protomartyr.ca.  

St. Stephen's is located at 4903-45 Street S. W., Calgary.