Viter celebrates 20th anniversary at Arden

Viter Ukrainian Dancers and Folk Choir are officially of voting age and then some.

For 20 years the troupe has committed its full resources to the beauty of dance. This season the company celebrates its two-decade anniversary on June 20 to 21 at the Arden Theatre.

The 29 dancers and 38 choristers perform At the Bazaar, a major in-house choreography specifically designed to highlight and preserve Ukrainian culture.

Unlike most area Ukrainian troupes, Viter's brand relies on storytelling songs as well as dance and music.

“We started off as part of the Shumka group and then we split off. In 2008, we added the choir. We put dancers, singers and musicians on stage, and through their interactions, we tell a story,” said Viter artistic director Tasha Orysiuk.

At the Bazaar relates the tale of a budding romance between Darko, a gypsy boy and Solomyia, a quiet peasant girl. Set in a village market, the two teens attempt to meet while circumstances push them apart.

However, Darko's younger brother Nico, fun-loving guy, and Hanusia, Solomyia's sister, a mischievous sibling with a knack for trouble, help the two find their way into a dance.

Orysiuk believes the many bazaar's comedic characters – farmers, gypsies, couples, hat makers, tambourine makers and the flower lady – will stimulate nostalgic memories of the old country and dazzle with their intricate high-velocity footwork.

In the second half, the company presents The Dream, a shorter choreography that sketches the story of a young girl with a child.

“She takes a moment to feed the child and falls asleep with her son. She is a serf and will never have freedom. She dreams her son is free and falls in love with a girl and owns his own land. When she wakes up, nothing has changed and she must hurry to meet her quota.”

In a mix of ballet and contemporary Ukrainian dance steps, the story is adapted from Taras Shevchenko's poem also titled The Dream. St. Albert dancer Trevor Boyd stickhandles the male lead role as the son.

“To me this is an important story that is still going on today. They're still struggling,” Orysiuk notes.

She is confident in describing the performances as compelling and electric.

“It's going to be very entertaining and kids will enjoy it as much as adults especially with lots of upbeat energy.”