CANORA - On Jan. 12, a Malanka (Ukrainian New Year) celebration was held at Canora Rainbow Hall.
Approximately 150 people showed up despite temperatures ranging around -40°C. The event was hosted to close out the old year and ring in the New Year. The activities started out with Father Yurii, Dobroidika Ludmilla and some of the guests singing Ukrainian Christmas carols. Dobroidika also sang a beautiful solo.
Following the singing, the Rainbow Hall ladies provided “a great New Year’s Eve supper,” according to reports from the event. This consisted of turkey, dressing, cranberry sauce, meatballs in mushroom gravy, mashed potatoes, gravy, broccoli salad, coleslaw, baked cornmeal, mixed veggies, kutia, wheat salad, along with dessert consisting of two different kinds of trifles.
After supper, the guests enjoyed entertainment from the Canora Veselka Dance Club. Numerous groups ranging in ages from three years to 16 years performed in a variety of different Ukrainian dance ensembles.
According to information provided by the Club, “Canora Veselka was very honoured to be asked to perform at the Canora Malanka. Our dancers from novice to senior performed a portion of the many dances they are preparing to enter into competitions this year. We love being able to showcase our dancers’ dedication to learning and preserving Ukrainian culture and dance.”
Canora Veselka Dance School is a non-profit organization that was established in 1974 with the primary objective of “restoring, preserving and furthering the beautiful art of Ukrainian folk dancing. Today our organization endeavors to maintain that commitment by providing instruction in a wonderful blend of different Ukrainian dances from various regions.”
The Club offers programming for children and youth ages 3-18., and currently has 40 dancers instructed by Liana and Serhiy Zabutnyy from Regina.
Those interested in seeing the dancers perform their full collection of dances can see them in action in Regina at the Tavria Dance Festival March 15-17, the Yorkton Kalyna Dance Festival April 26-28 and at the annual Canora Veselka Ukrainian Dance Concert in Canora on May 5.
Following the performances all those in attendance had the opportunity to hit the dance floor, with music provided by the Zayshley band.
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