Graduated Steps Taken in Chaika's “The Life of a Ukrainian Dancer”

By John Pidkowich

Chaika Ukrainian Song & Dance Ensemble, presented by the Ukrainian National Federation Hamilton Branch, performed its annual spring concert with this year’s theme The Life of a Ukrainian Dancer. The Sunday afternoon concert, held on May 30 at Sir John A. MacDonald Secondary School Auditorium brought together generations of enthusiastic family members, friends and supporters of Chaika whose young performers showed what they accomplished from training and practise, offered in an all-energetic, spirited, and well-executed show of song and dance.

Since 1957, Chaika has been dedicated to the preservation of Ukrainian folk song and dance in Canada. With over 100 enrolled students, some now second and even third generation family members in Chaika, these children are provided with the opportunity to be “seen and heard” throughout the year by delighted audiences in Hamilton and the surrounding area, thanks to the efforts of the Chaika executive chaired by Taras Jackiw, Artistic Director Helen Senchyshak-D’Addario and instructors, and, of course, the parents.

Chaika’s Spring Concert opened with a Welcome Dance by the senior and some younger age-level dancers representing various regions of Ukraine: Bukovyna, Hutzulschyna and Transcarpathia (Zakarpattya) in the west, and Poltava in Central Ukraine. The opening number was immediately followed by the Junior Choir under the direction of Anna Kachmar, including the youngest members of Chaika, singing “The Frolicking Squirrels, “Rabbit in the Wheat”, and “The Month of June”.

Once the concert’s swift pace had been established, the audience was able to sit back and introduced to the theme The Life of a Ukrainian Dancer. The song and dance performances by the different groups within Chaika followed a story line of “graduated steps” taken by a Chaika Ukrainian dancer from learning the basic steps at the primary level through growth at the intermediate level, all the while gaining confidence and moving on further to develop into a senior dancer executing intricate steps with ease, form and flow. The story and matched performances not only gave a chronological order of a student graduating through levels of difficulty but, also the social interaction and personal growth experienced in Chaika. The Life of a Ukrainian Dancer was narrated on-stage as told by a caring Dido (grandfather), played by Rob Paul, to his very attentive young grandchildren, played by Colson Swinarchin and Jessica Barton. Baba (grandmother), played by Karen Dieroff, at times would interject “staryj’s” story telling with loving sense of humour, concluding with a command performance with her life-long dance partner.

Through the “Life of a Ukrainian Dancer”, the youngest Chaika members in the primary group danced the Hopachok, under the watchful eye of Tanya Tymkiv. The Junior group kept their stride in the Hutzuliata and Kozachok, under the instruction of Ann Rebalka and Ray Swinarchin. Greater demands were placed on the Intermediate group in the Hutzulka and Poltava Dance (Karen Dieroff and Taras Gulka). The Senior groups were charged with the tireless responsibility, stamina and ability to carry on their shoulders (and legs!) the majority of the concert programme. The Senior C’s performed a rendition of a polka and the Vesnianka, under the direction of Mike Stechey and Lesia Zahachewsky; the Senior B’s danced the Kolomeyka and the Wind dance (Helen Senchyshak-D’Addario and Mike Sidlar); and the Senior A’s, mentored and coached by Mike Stechey and Tanya Tymkiw, gave their interpretation of the Droboyka, a Hoe Down given a Ukrainian look in red boots and jeans, the girls-only Bereznyanka, and the crowd pleasing Hopak finale with anticipated reprise.

The concert’s well-rounded programme was evident in the variety of dance skills by group level, further enhanced and complemented by Ukrainian song. What performance could be complete without the tradition of Ukrainians singing! The Junior Choir returned to the programme to sing a Boyko melody The Ducklings, The Happy Girl Olena, and Hopachok. The Senior Choir sang Carpathian Melodies, a tango melody Soloviyu; M. Khpomeya’s Ponad Prutom moya Kolomyja and Volodymyr Ivasiuk’s Chervona Ruta, Vodohraj, Pisnia bude pomizh nas, all conducted under the capable direction of Nila Genyk. After intermission, a combined full choir reset the concert’s tone with the enchanting Moon and the Stars.

The entire concert experience was amplified and heightened by live music performed by Morris Hucal and Wayne Picyk on accordions, Andrew Polimeni on drums and Karen Aniol on violin. These fine musicians provided the performers with a boost to the timing of their dance steps and kicks while providing the dancers the necessary rhythm to help count, keep pace and stay in form, some of the many attributes Chaika has achieved and worthy to be called a true ensemble.

Parents interested in enrolling their children in Chaika (to be at least 5 years of age by December 31, 2010) may register them on September 10, 2010, between 6:30 pm. and 7:30 pm. at the UNF Hamilton Hall, 170 Parkdale Ave. North. For more information, visit www.chaika.ca or e-mail taras@chaika.ca

 PHOTOS

1 - Chaika Ukrainian Song & Dance Ensemble

2 - Intermediate group

3 - Senior A group dances the Hopak