Ukrainian dance club hosting benefit concert for refugees
By Lethbridge Herald on May 14, 2022.
Herald photo by Alejandra Pulido-Guzman
Lead instructor of the Troyanda Ukrainian Dance Club, Anastasia Sereda along with another senior dancer, roll a wagon full of Little Stars dancers across the stage as they prepare for their Dance for Ukraine benefit concert performance at the Yates.Alejandra Pulido-Guzman – LETHBRIDGE HERALD – apulido@lethbridgeherald.com
The Troyanda Ukrainian Dance Club is hosting a benefit performance Sunday with proceeds donated to Ukraine Humanitarian Aid for Ukrainian individuals who have arrived in Alberta.
“All tickets are available by donation, we don’t have a set price and all the money is going towards the humanitarian relief of Ukraine but we’re directing it through to Alberta,” said Donna Whitten, president of the Troyanda Ukrainian Dance Club.
She said they are keeping the money in the province to help the Ukrainians that are coming here and the families that may be taking in people and local community charities that may be lending the extra support.
Dance for Ukraine benefit concert is presented by the Troyanda Ukrainian Dance Club and will have special guests Bridge Brass Quartet and Interludo String Duo for a performance filled with dance and music Sunday afternoon at the Yates Memorial Theatre.
“There will be quite a few dances from the different levels, all the way from three-year-olds up to very senior dancers and also the parents of dancers,” said Kiann Bohnert, TUDC dancer.
Alexandra Wiliams, a dancer who has been dancing for 17 years said they will be performing a welcome dance that incorporates every group they have, all the ages into one big dance to welcome everyone to the show, get them situated and let them know they are going to have a great time.
“Among the dances that the ensemble is doing this weekend, we have a Bukovny dance and our Hopak which is the big dance at the very end of the show, which is quite long. It has lots of energy, lots of different colours and movements and we haven’t done it in a very long time,” said Williams.
Those in attendance will also be able to take part on 50/50, a silent auction and a raffle.
“We decided to do our silent auction online so that anyone who maybe can’t come could also bid on some of our items,” said Whitten.
She said the items will be on display at the event on the second floor foyer, but the bidding will take place online.
“The local area seniors at the Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization, the quilters associated with them, quilted us a really beautiful quilt that we’re raffling off and they also provided some other quilted and sewn items for the silent auction,” said Whitten.
The event will take place Sunday May 15 at 1:30 p.m. at the Yates Memorial Theatre.
Whitten is encouraging attendees to arrive early to have time to browse the silent auction items, and get their 50/50 and raffle tickets as the intermission is only 15 minutes.
For more of information visit the Troyanda Ukrainian Dance Club Facebook page.
Follow @APulidoHerald on Twitter
17-16
