The Ukrainian Shumka Dancers return once more to the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium this coming Saturday in what promises to be an unprecedented whirlwind of flashing colour, thrilling spectacle, powerful athleticism and dazzling footwork.
One of Edmonton’s most cherished institutions, the 48-member dance troupe is hosting its annual fundraiser Red Boots and Bubbly: Shumka’s New Works Gala. Hosts for this special 51st anniversary evening are Jean Marc Genereux of So You Think You Can Dance Canada and Global Television’s Lorraine Mansbridge.
Three newly choreographed Ukrainian pieces will be featured along with a contemporary fusion titled Through a Dreamer’s Eyes, co-choreographed by Genereux and Shumka’s artistic director Dave Ganert.
“Shumka is very close to the MS Society and we help raise awareness for it. Some of our dancers have developed muscular dystrophy and for a dancer to lose mobility is traumatic. So we wanted to do a piece about physical limits,” says Ganert explaining how Through a Dreamer’s Eyes came to fruition.
Genereux, a former champion ballroom dancer, has a daughter with physical and neurological limitations and was thrilled to be approached. “He wanted to do a piece of hope and awareness and he wanted to explore the journey together. You many not see the heel-toe-kick. But it’s a piece that speaks to the human condition, the human soul.”
This hybrid is performed to Celine Dion’s Fly and A New Day, and the words are sung by Montreal singer/songwriter Annie Villeneuve, one of two entertainers chosen to sing I Believe at Vancouver 2010 Olympic opening ceremonies.
Sturgeon County’s Trinity Chopyk dances in this fusion and in another new work Cadence of Kolynia, a dynamic choreography that celebrates the youth of Hutsulsky, a mountaineering people famed for their woodcarvings.
The other two new dances are Volyn, an energetic number packed with leaps and high kicks, and Ukrainian Doll Dance, a light comedic Christmasy choreography adapted from The Nutcracker.
“It’s an evening of humility, courage and passion. It’s the place to be on Nov. 20.”
