By Eugene A. Luciw
21st Annual Ukrainian Folk Festival
For Info: www.tryzub.org or 267-664-3857
The 21st Annual Ukrainian Folk Festival will take place, on Sunday, August 26, from 12:00 to 8:00 PM, at the UKRAINIAN AMERICAN SPORT CENTER, Lower State and County Line Roads, Horsham. PA 19044:
Exciting, spectacular, dazzling, breathtaking, exhilarating, spirited, soulful, enchanting, captivating, and intriguing – modest words which describe but by no means fully capture the essence of Ukrainian folk art, song, music, and dance. From the rich color and deep symbolism of the delicate “pysanka” (Ukrainian Easter Egg) to the thunderous power, rhythm and strength of “HOPAK” – the world’s most exciting folk dance – and every brilliant “Kolomiyka” (polka) and soulful folk song in between, experience the 21st Annual Ukrainian Folk Festival. It features the following headline entertainers:
Zoriany Ukrainian Dance, Music and Song Academy (Kirovohrad, Ukraine). Forty (40) exceptional professional dancers, singers and musicians, in collaboration with the original choreographer, Anatoliy Krivokhyza, recreate and recast a thrilling, indeed stunning, stage performance, which the Yatran Ukrainian National Dance Company from their home city had featured during their renowned 1978 USA tour. Yatran had received rave reviews from legendary dance critic, Clive Barns, after their Radio City Music Hall performance in New York. This multi-talented ensemble “does it all”: it dances, sings plays music and features Ukraine’s national musical instruments like the “Tsymbaly” and the “Bandura”. Watching Ukrainian folk dancing to the accompaniment of live music is particularly thrilling. www.tryzub.org
DESNA Ukrainian Dance Company (Toronto, Canada), for over 35 years, has dazzled audiences throughout North America and abroad with a wide repertoire of Ukrainian dances. Under the direction of Virsky Ukrainian National Dance Ensemble-trained Yuri & Luba Grekov, DESNA presents technically demanding and exhilarating dances accented by exquisite costumes and diverse music. This celebration of movement creates a vibrant spectacle for all audiences to enjoy. www.Desna.ca
Violinist Innesa Tymochko Dekajlo (Lviv, Ukraine) starting at the age of six, Innesa has studied violin with some of Europe’s greatest masters. She has fused the beauty, power and soul of traditional Ukrainian folk music with the classical string instrument – the violin. Her fresh, inventive style has gained critical acclaim from both classical and traditional music critics. Innesa has toured throughout Europe and North America. www.innesa.com
VOX ETHNIKA BAND (New York City) is an extremely talented vocal and instrumental orchestra. Its unique compositional approach to music has received wide recognition in the USA, Canada and Europe; its style of transforming East European folk music is influential. Vox Ethnica is the only band that performs all manner of Eastern European Folk and Pop music (Ukrainian, Lemko, Rusyn, Czech, Slovak, and Polish) set to unique modern arrangements. The band also flourishes as one of the most popular niche dance bands in America. It carries a wide, varied and rich repertoire of timeless Ukrainian, American and World dance music – rock n’ roll, pop, polka, ballroom, jazz, Latin, folk, the twenties, contemporary, top hits, and everything in between. Enjoy Vox Ethnika on stage and as your band for social dancing. www.voxethnika.com
PROGRAM: 12:00 noon – festival begins & concessions open.
1:30 P.M. to 4:30 P.M. Gala Stage Show
4:30 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. – Public Social Dance (“ZABAVA”) traditional, modern, contemporary, ballroom and Polka – The Vox Ethnika Band
FOOD: Homemade Ukrainian ethnic foods (pierogies, holuptsi, kowbasa sausage, etc.) and baked goods;
BBQ, Picnic fare and cool refreshments
ETHNIC BAZAAR: Folk arts and crafts market and displays.
KID’S FUN: Children’s games, amusements, face painting and fun area
ADMISSION – $15; Students-$10; Children 14 & under – Free; Free Parking
PROCEEDS BENEFIT CULTURAL PROGRAMMING AND YOUTH SOCCER.

