The E.A. Rawlinson Centre will be enveloped in a splash of colour this weekend as the 30th annual Barveenok Ukrainian Dance Festival takes the stage.
The festival, featuring group, solo and small group performances from P.A’s talented Ukrainian dancers, runs Saturday and Sunday at the Rawlinson.
Festival organizer Dorothy Kawula said the group spent time reflecting on what it means to be able to put on the show for 30 years.
“It’s pretty significant,” she said. “We were going through all of the different festivals or different clubs that have attended in the past, and they range from all across western Canada. It shows the dedication of the Ukrainian community and the Ukrainian dance community. It’s really exciting.”
While this year’s show won’t be as big as last year’s extravaganza held to mark 125 years of Ukrainian immigration to Canada, the show will still be a treat to take un.
“People can expect amazing costumes and music,” Kawula said. “There’s a lot of energy and joy in Ukrainian dance. It really passes on to the audience.”
In honour of the festival’s 30th anniversary, students were given the opportunity to attend a workshop Friday evening to better understand the dance’s history.
For more on this story, please see the April 22 print or e-edition of the Daily Herald.