Cheremosh benefit and Ball a family reunion

November 12- 25, 2009: Ukrainian News

Approximately 220 current dancers, alumni and supporters attended the 2009 Benefit and Ball organized by the Ukrainian Cheremosh Society at the Chateau Louis Conference Centre in Edmonton, Oct. 24.

The gathering was reminiscent of a family reunion, noted the Benefit & Ball Committee Chair and Alumni Director, Gail Wacko.

"My best friends today are from alumni and this truly is a family, and the, word in Ukrainian is rodyna, (which) is a much stronger and deeper word, and that is the connection that makes me proud... as Cheremosh dancers we still dance within our hearts," she added.

Wacko also asked for a moment of silence for the Cheremosh Society's first President, Orest Mulka who passed away Oct. 3 (see also Ukrainian News, October 29 - November 11, 2009). "He was a huge, huge part of our past and he continues to be a very important part of our present," she noted.

The evening had a construction theme based upon its tagline of "cornerstones of the Past... Building Blocks for the Future", one that was used in previous promotional material.

In accordance with the theme, Master of Ceremonies Nick Frederick, who is the husband of Cheremosh alumnus and former past president of the society, Tricia Bayrock, was actually called the construction foreman.

Among the highlights was a presentation of the "Embroidered Memories" print by artist Larisa Sembaliuk Cheladyn to Aboriginal Relations Minister Gene Zwozdesky, who served as Musical Director and Conductor for Cheremosh from the 1970s to the 1990s.

Zwozdesky, who said he was "overwhelmed" by the honour, noted that "Cheremosh has just an incredible job since it was formed in 1969 by Chester and Luba (Kuc)."

The "Embroidered Memories" print, which was created as a fundraiser for the 2007 Benefit and Ball "Journey to the Great Wall", features women's embroidery patterns, originally designed by the Kuc's and Paul Sembaliuk in the 1970s and used by Cheremosh for more than three decades.

This year's Gala witnessed the unveiling of the second Sembaliuk Cheladyn print commissioned for Cheremosh, "Once a Kozak...", inspired by the men. This limited edition lithograph features both a barrel, used as a prop during the Zaporizhian numbers of the 80s, along with the cannon, which is used in today's productions — linking past and present.

Past President Jason Golinowski spoke about the Cheremosh Ukrainian dance Company's current production under Artistic Director Mykola Kanevets, of "Razom", which is done jointly with Calgary's Tryzub and Winnipeg's Rusalka.

"It really showcases the leadership that's happening in the Ukrainian Dance community across the Prairies where we are able to now get thee companies together and really showcase the diversity and intricacy of the different styles that are evolving with Cheremosh," he said.

Golinowski added that the evening was "supporting a really great cast of people", who volunteer their time .

Alumnus Kevin Zarsky, who is coordinating Cheremosh's official 40th anniversary celebrations next year said there will be a number of events throughout the year, culminating with a gala closing event planned for October or November, 2010.

The evening also featured several performance by the Cheremosh Dancers as well as music by Millenia Musical Ensemble.

Aside from Wacko, other members of the 2009 Benefit & Ball Committee included: Sacha Belseck, Morgan Demers, Adriana Koziak, Leanne Koziak, Melania Koziak, Debbie Koziak-Koper, Dean Krawchuk, Brooke Miller, Phil Sembaliuk, Patty Wacko, Michele Wygera-Schuster, and Karen Zarsky

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