All the right moves

River Park South

Grant Park

South Pointe

A south Winnipeg-based Ukrainian dance school is commemorating 55 years in operation, and everyone is invited to help it celebrate.

Organizers at Sopilka Ukrainian Dance School, located at 4-651 Stafford St., are preparing for an anniversary gala event on Saturday, Feb. 7 in the grand ballroom at Canad Inns Polo Park (1405 St. Matthew’s Ave.).

“We’re celebrating our 55th anniversary, and this will be an opportunity to celebrate Ukrainian culture in music and dance,” said Venessa Schreyer, president of the school’s board of directors.

“The gala will be an opportunity for Ukrainian and non-Ukrainian community members to experience a fun and elevated event that honours and celebrates our 55 years.”

The gala will feature performances by the school’s dance ensembles, with special guests including the Hoosli Ukrainian Male Chorus and Troyanda Ukrainian Dance Ensemble. There will also be dinner, live music by Sloohai, an archives display area and an alumni wall.

To add an extra touch of class to mark the anniversary celebration, Sopilka has been working with guest choreographer Serhij Koroliuk to create a new suite of dances based on Ukrainian tradition.

“Approximately 57 youth, ages 12 to 19, will participate, gaining technical training, mentorship, and a deeper understanding of Ukrainian cultural narratives,” said Schreyer, who lives in River Park South.

“The suite will include original pieces, accompanied by music from Ukrainian composers and costumes inspired by Malanka archetypes. The work will debut at (the gala) and remain in repertoire for future festivals, community celebrations, and tours.”

The school was founded in 1971, under the direction of Vicky Adams, as part of a Ukrainian language program at Holy Family Ukrainian Catholic Parish, and was originally called the South Winnipeg School of Dance. Sopilka’s current artistic director is Kristina Frykas.

Sopilka’s evolution has been a family affair for Schreyer, who served on its parent advisory committee before her time on the board. She and her husband, Ian Tratch, were both dancers at the school, and now their daughters Tatiana, who has been dancing for 12 years, and Analeisa, who has been dancing for 10, are involved.

The connection runs even deeper, as Ian’s mother, Donna Tratch, and his aunt, Jaqui Joys, were instructors in the school’s early years.

Another longtime dancer at the school is MacKenzie Drul, 20, who is now also an instructor. The South Pointe resident said Sopilka has been an important part of her life since 2011.

“I love the energy that goes into it. Everything is so energetic and fast and upbeat. I love moving fast, and everything has a meaning,” Drul said. “It’s about telling stories, too.”

The south Winnipegger encourages any youngsters who haven’t tried Ukrainian dance to consider giving it a try — especially boys, as “we need more boys taking part.”

Making lifelong friendships is another aspect of participation in Sopilka, Drul said, and the experience of the Frykas and Tratch families can attest to that.

Visit sopilkadance.com for more information and to buy tickets. At press time, a limited number of tickets were left. A percentage of the gala proceeds will be donated to the Ukrainian Canadian Congress.