The Hafford Cheremka Dance Club held its annual dance recital April 3. Parents, grandparents and friends attended the recital to watch the wonderful display of dance talent.
Carla Tanchak welcomed the audience to the evening recital and was master of ceremony for the evening program.
Deep within each dancer was the desire to showcase the power and beauty of Ukrainian dance. Each dancer, regardless of age, had the ability to showcase their cultural pride in a unique way as each dance told a story or expressed an emotion without the use of words, only music and movement. The colourful costumes, fancy footwork and boundless energy often had the audience applauding or tapping toes. It was an incredible display of skill and talent, obviously built on a foundation of discipline, dedication and practice.
Group performances included Senior Bukovina, Intermediate Hutzul, and beginner-junior-intermediate-senior Poltava arrangements. Dance duets were performed by Rayleen Roth and Erica Horner (Volyn), Rayleen Roth and Joseph Tanchak (Bukovina), Brooke Kowalchuk and Leah Kohut (Poltava), Ashley Kowalchuk and Jenny Markewich (Poltava) and Joseph Tanchak and Cabri Tanchak (Poltava). Solo performances were made by Joseph Tanchak (Bukovina), Brooke Kowalchuk (Poltava), Cabri Tanchak (Hutzul) Justin Yasieniuk (Poltava) and Mitchell Tanchak (Poltava).
The Yasieniuk family of four performed the Poltava dance. The Pavlychenko Folklorique Ensemble made two special dance appearances. Their passion for dance held the audience in awe as they told a story with music and dance.
The 2010-11 beginners instructed by Centaine Regainski were Lonnie Yasieniuk, Carsen Dirksen, Courtney Yasieniuk, Jaylynn Taylor, Amber Toews, Kirsten Welkie, Jessica Rice, Chelsea Boyko and Reese Cherwinski. Centaine also instructed the senior group of Sarah Shewchuk, Frankie Yasieniuk, Allanna Hawrysh, Megan Jones, Scott Markewich, Tyler Yasieniuk, Ashley Kowalchuk and Jenny Markewich.
Joleen Michalenko instructed the Junior dancers of Cabri Tanchak, Brooke Kowalchuk, Taylinn Cherwinski, Mitchell Tanchak, Leah Kohut, Alicia Rice, Jerie Yasieniuk and Justin Yasieniuk.
Jared Suwala instructed the Intermediate group of Joseph Tanchak, Kolten Yasieniuk, Erica Horner, Marina Rice, Rayleen Roth, Andrew Derksen and Michael Horner.
Parents, grandparents, instructors and students should be commended on their patience, hard work and ability to perform in front of an audience.
Special recognition is extended to the community women and all volunteers who assisted with the preparation and success of Malanka. It is the undying volunteerism within the community that makes events such a success. Acknowledgement was also extended to Blaine Lake Composite School for use of the gym for practices and to Vanessa Horner for making the arrangements. Recognition was also given to Denise Kowalchuk and Tammy Markewich who were part of the executive team for many years.
The evening concluded with door prizes and 50/50 draws and dessert and beverages.
