Ukrainian Zabava festival celebrates world Ukrainian culture
at Harbourfront Centre - September 2 through September 5, 2005

MUSIC: Ukrainian Zabava presents a unique range of Ukrainian and Ukrainian-inspired music, both traditional and contemporary! The weekend holds multiple performances of beautiful acappella songs by the Metelysia Vocal Ensemble as well as Michael Kostowskyj’s and Victor Mishalow's  solo performances on the Bandura, the national stringed instrument of Ukraine. The Canadian Bandura Capella and Chorus also celebrates the Ukrainian bandurists. Blues-rooted singer Suzie Vinnick performs an interesting counterpoint show accompanied by the dancing talents of Desna Ukrainian Dance Company mixing in her own songs and being complemented by traditional Ukrainian dance numbers. Toronto’s violin virtuoso Vasyl Popadiuk spices things up with his genre-defying group The Papa Duke band, which combines traditional Slavic and gypsy music with classic pop and jazz. Another musical mix comes with Washington DC’s Scythian band (who effortlessly fuse Celtic and Ukrainian styles) while Edmonton's The Kubasonics combine clever Canadian inspired humour with talented renditions of classic Ukrainian and Ukrainian-Canadian folk songs. Ukrainian-American group Ephyra play their hybrid of folk-rock with a Ukrainian twist.

Things heat up as the Prolisok Youth Ensemble, Montreal’s The Carpathians Musical Ensemble and the Toronto trio RUTA give inspiring performances of Ukrainian music. The talented vocal duo of Inessa Bratushchyk and Orest Khoma will show you why they are acclaimed artists of Ukraine with two performances on Saturday afternoon. Vocalist Oleh Buncha also graces us with his beautiful voice, and the Pid Oblachkom Musical and Vocal Ensemble performs contemporary sounds from the Ukraine. Saturday evening features British-based band The Ukrainians - whose concerts, as described by Q magazine, are "like attending the mother of all parties." Sunday evening brings a special Harbourfront Centre debut performance by Ukrainian pop singer Vika Vasilevich.

VISUAL ARTS: Experience the beauty and artistry of Ukraine with these new exhibits, including Intersection, curated by Darka Griffin and featuring work from Sofia Isajiw, Vera Jacyk, Inya Levytsky, Olya Mistchenko, Terry Pidsadny, Olexander Wlasenko, Anna Yuschuk and Vladimir Zabeida - who explore Ukrainian-Canadian identity through installation, printmaking, drawings, photography and painting.

Kyiv photographer Kyrylo Kysliakov presents the Canadian premiere of his New York exhibition Faces of the Orange Revolution, a collection of 36 photos documenting the 2004 demonstrations that overturned corrupt elections.

Sandra Semchuk and James Nicholas present enemy aliens castle mountain internment camp (about the internment of Ukrainians in Canada during the First World War), solo photography shows on display at the York Quay Gallery. 

Last but not least - artist Pavlo Lopata paints icons, Hryhoryj Dyczok makes pysanky (Easter Eggs) and a group of enthusiasts create contemporary beaded jewelry throughout the weekend as part of the Culture in Action workshops and demonstrations.

FOOD: Satisfy your appetite and learn from the pros, Ukrainian style! Chef Natalie Hladun from Natalie’s Kitchen holds demonstrations and interactive classes, preparing uniquely Ukrainian foods: Perogies (authentic and the ‘Potato and Cheddar’ variety) and Cabbage rolls stuffed with rice and mushrooms. Paska (traditional braided bread) making is taught by Future Bakery, Toronto’s oldest Ukrainian Bakery. Ukrainian borscht is again being demonstrated by Ukrainian cooking expert Mrs. Hanya Cirka, while Chef Oryst Pidzamecky of Oryan Catering will teach audiences how to make Ukrainian crepes stuffed with cheese and authentic Ukrainian Chicken Kyiv (Kiev). For those craving more contemporary dishes, world renowned chef Ken Kostick will also prepare a Ukrainian/Canadian fusion meal, while food stylist Olga Kaminski holds classes with food styling tips and demos. A $1 sampling fee applies to all demos.

More recent films include one of the most highly acclaimed films from Ukraine, Mamay (2003), which shows the love story between a Ukrainian Cossack and a Tatar woman who together defy ethnic and religious taboos. Mamay will be followed with a Q & A session with Dr. Yuri Shevchuk of Columbia University, lecturer of Ukrainian Language and Culture. Between Hitler and Stalin—Ukraine in World War II (2003) is the story of the struggle which took place on the territory of Ukraine between Nazi Germany and Soviet Russia, with the Ukrainians fighting both sides for their freedom.

Three recently produced short films are screened together. The Wayfarers (Podorozhni) by director Ihor Strembitsky is a Ukrainian film sensation and also this year's winner of the coveted Palme d'Or du cour metrage at the 2005 Cannes International Film Festival and is a 10 minute documentary series of  portraits of people in a psychiatric hospital. Parched Land (Peresokhla zamlia) is a beautifully shot 25-minute feature film directed by Taras Tomenko and based on a short story by Gabriel Garcia Marquez . A parable about a man bestowed with a divine opportunity (which he initially fails to recognize and squanders) and then when everything seems irreparably lost, recovers in a moment of spiritual clarity. Tragic Love for Unfaithful Nuska (Trahichna liubov do zradlyvoyi Nusky) is a tongue-in-cheek sepia-toned melodrama from Director Taras Tkachenko that tells the tale of two adolescents vying for attention of the young woman-next-door who is unaware of the passions she provokes in her suitors. It is a lighthearted and moving comedy about a first love evolving against the background of a 1970s Ukrainian town, whose denizens try to escape from the absurdity and boredom of Soviet life. Works by filmmakers like Sanin, Strembitsky, Tomenko and Tkachenko prompt many film critics to compare today's emerging Ukrainian cinema with that of the post-war France's captivating New Wave cinema.

The Canadian documentary A Church in Two Worlds is a story that begins in 1958 in Saskatoon when Jerry Sywanyk receives a phone call from one of his sisters back home in Markova, a tiny Ukrainian farming community on the edge of the Carpathians. Their village church, Blessed Mary, had burned to the ground early that morning. The documentary goes on to explore the larger story of Ukrainian Catholicism before, during and after communism.

For a little bit of humour see Dora Was Dysfunctional (1994) by director Andrea Odezynska. When Dora was four, her Ukrainian grandmother taught her how to tell her fate in love. Twenty years later, Dora improvises her own version of a medieval love spell, but does it deliver what she needs? This comedy romance was short listed at the Academy Awards, the Hampton Film Festival and the Rotterdam Film Festival. This film has screened on HBO and Showtime.

DANCE: Acclaimed Ukrainian-Canadian modern dancer and choreographer Sasha Ivanochko will perform the original solo work Is this love?  while dazzling Ukrainian dance numbers are intertwined with great Canadian homemade songs as Suzie Vinnick and the Desna Ukrainian Dance Company of Toronto share the stage and perform live! The University of Toronto's Silhouettes Dance Company present a contemporary program of dances. Visitors are encouraged to participate in the Interactive Ukrainian Dance workshops led by Desna Ukrainian Dance Company throughout the weekend. You will also have a chance to enjoy Vatra, a sparkling ensemble from Brampton. All weekend at the Lakeside Terrace Tent, audiences can see a visual arts tribute to Vasil Avramenko - known as the founder of Ukrainian dance in North America. These panels, prepared by the Shevchenko Foundation, commemorate the 80th anniversary of Avramenko's arrival in Canada.

THEATRE/Cabaret: Classic Canadian comedienne Luba Goy hosts two cabaret evenings with furiously energetic music from The Scythians, comedy by Jo-Ann Waytowich (and by Ihor Baczynskyj) and musical theatre from performer Lada Darewych! This show includes Waytowich’s beloved larger-than-life character Ivanka, from The Ivanka Chronicles.

KIDS/Families: Kids learn to make real pysanky (Easter Eggs), a fun Ukrainian tradition as their Make and Take craft from the Kidzone tent! Try it at home too with an egg painting kit, available at the Sculpture Court Market - just one of many cultural items made in the Ukraine and Canada available for purchase. Some of the many other kids and family activities this weekend under the theme of Culture in Action include beading, bandura workshops, icon painting and more! On September 5 special family events include magic with Vladimir - Master of Illusion & Levitation. 

Ukrainian Zabava is a co-presentation of Harbourfront Centre and the Ukrainian Culture Festival, presenters of the 9th Annual Bloor West Village Ukraine Festival on Bloor Street West between Runnymede and Jane Streets (August 26-28, 2005). Last year over 300,000 people experienced Ukrainian hospitality on Bloor Street West. Both sites will offer the individual and families an opportunity to see, taste, hear and feel the traditional and current trends in Ukrainian music, food, song and dance. Bloor West Village Ukrainian Festival public information at 416-410-9965 or www.ukrainianfestival.com

Complete listings: Ukrainian Zabava - September 2 to 5, 2005
All events are free admssion (visit www.harbourfrontcentre.com for full schedules)

Visual Arts - Friday September 2 through Monday September 5
enemy aliens castle mountain internment camp
(York Quay Gallery: Sept. 2, 3, 4 - noon to 8 p.m.; Sept. 5 - noon to 6 p.m.)
Faces of the Orange Revolution
(The Loft: Sept. 2 - 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Sept. 3, 4 - 1 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Sept 5 - 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.)
Intersection: An Exhibition of Contemporary Ukrainian Canadian Artists
(Marilyn Brewer Community Space: Sept. 2 - 6 p.m. to midnight; Sept. 3, 4 - noon to midnight; Sept. 5 - noon to 6 p.m.) 

Friday September 2
Music - Metelysia Vocal Ensemble (7 p.m. - Toronto Star Stage)
Families Craft/Workshop - Culture in Action: Pysanky (easter eggs) demonstration, beading, bandura workshop, icon painting and more. Includes Avramenko visual arts display (7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Lakeside Terrace Tent).
Film - Freedom had a Price with Q&A with Professor Luciuk (7:30 p.m. - Studio Theatre)
Music/Dance - Suzie Vinnick with Desna Dance Company (8 p.m. - CIBC Stage)
Music - Michael Kostowskyj (9 p.m. - Toronto Star Stage)
Music - Vasyl Popadiuk & The Papa Duke band (9:30 p.m. - CIBC Stage)
Music - Scythian (11 p.m. - Brigantine Room)

Saturday September 3
Kids - Make and Take Crafts for kids decorating Pysanky (easter eggs) (1 p.m. to 5 p.m. - Kidzone Tent)
Families Craft/Workshop - Culture in Action: Pysanky (easter eggs) demonstration, beading, bandura workshop, icon painting and more. Includes Avramenko visual arts display (12 p.m. to 8 p.m., Lakeside Terrace Tent).
Music - Michael Kostowskyj (12 p.m. - Toronto Star Stage)
Food - Natalie's Kitchen Perogie Class (12 p.m. - Lakeside Terrace)
Dance/Workshop - Interactive Ukrainian Dance w/ Desna Ukrainian Dance Company
(12:30 p.m. & 2:30 p.m. - Brigantine Room)
Film - Teach me to dance (1:30 p.m. - Studio Theatre)
Music - Prolisok Youth Ensemble (2 p.m. - CIBC Stage)
Food - Natalie's Kitchen Perogie Class (2 p.m. - Lakeside Terrace)
Music - Inessa and Orest Bratushchyk  (2:30 p.m. - Toronto Star Stage)
Film - Laughter in my soul (3 p.m. - Studio Theatre)
Music - The Carpathians Musical Ensemble (3:30 p.m. - CIBC Stage)
Music -  Inessa and Orest Bratushchyk (4 p.m. - Toronto Star Stage)
Food - Ken Kostick, Ukrainian-Canadian fusion food demonstration (4 p.m. - Lakeside Terrace)
Film - Ukrainian Shorts: Wayfarers, Parched Land, Tragic Love for Unfaithful Nuska (4 p.m. - Studio Theatre)
Dance - Silhouettes Modern Dance Company (4:30 p.m. - Brigantine Room)
Music - Vocalist Oleh Buncha and Dance Group (6 p.m. - Toronto Star Stage)
Dance - Sasha Ivanochko (6 p.m. - Studio Theatre)
Film - Mamay w/ Q&A with Dr. Yuri Shevchuk (8 p.m. - Studio Theatre)
Music - The Ukrainians (9:30 p.m. - CIBC Stage)
Music - Cabaret evening hosted by Luba Goy feat. music from Scythian and more (11 p.m. - Brigantine Room)
Music - Kubasonics (11 p.m. - Lakeside Terrace)

Sunday September 4
Food/Workshop - Future Bakery Bread Demonstration Class (12 noon - Lakeside Terrace)
Kids - Make and Take Crafts for kids decorating Pysanky (easter eggs) (1 p.m. to 5 p.m. - Kidzone Tent)
Kids/Craft/Workshop - Culture in Action: Pysanky (easter eggs) demonstration, beading, bandura workshop, icon painting and more. Includes Avramenko visual arts display (12 to 8 p.m. - Lakeside Terrace Tent).
Dance - Interactive Ukrainian Dance with Desna Ukrainian Dance (12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. - Brigantine Room)
Music - Victor Mishalow (12:30 p.m. - Toronto Star Stage)
Film - Strongest Man in the World (1:30 p.m. - Studio Theatre)
Music - Kubasonics (2 p.m. - CIBC Stage)
Food/Workshop - Olga Kaminski Food Stylist Demonstration Class (2 p.m. - Lakeside Terrace)
Music - Metelysia (3 p.m. - Toronto Star Stage)
Film - Between Hitler and Stalin (3:30 p.m. - Studio Theatre)
Music - Scythian (3:30 p.m. - CIBC Stage)
Food/Workshop - Future Bakery Bread Demonstration Class ( 4 p.m. - Lakeside Terrace)
Dance - Silhouettes Modern Dance (4:30 p.m. - Brigantine Room)
Music - Ruta (5 p.m. - Toronto Star Stage)
Food - Natalie's Kitchen Cabbage Rolls Demonstration (6 p.m. - Lakeside Terrace)
Dance - Sasha Ivanochko (6 p.m. - Studio Theatre)
Dance - Vatra Dance (6:30 p.m. - Toronto Star Stage)
Film - Mamay screening w/Q&A with Dr. Yuri Shevchuk (7:30 p.m. - Studio Theatre)
Dance - Pid Oblachkom w/Vatra dancers (8 p.m. - CIBC Stage)
Music - Vika Vasilevich (9:30 p.m. - CIBC Stage)
Music - Cabaret evening hosted by Luba Goy feat. music from Scythian and more (11 p.m. - Brigantine Room)
Music - Ephyra (11 p.m. - Lakeside Terrace)

Monday, September 5
Kids/Craft/Workshop - Culture in Action: Pysanky (easter eggs) demonstration, beading, bandura workshop, icon painting and more. Includes Avramenko visual arts display (12 to 6 p.m. - Lakeside Terrace Tent).
Kids - Make and Take Crafts for kids decorating Pysanky (easter eggs) (1 p.m. to 5 p.m. - Kidzone Tent)
Film - A Church in Two Worlds (1 p.m. - Studio Theatre)
Music - The Canadian Bandura Capella and Chorus (3 p.m. - CIBC Stage)
Film - Dora was Dysfunctional (3:30 p.m. - Studio Theatre)
Kids -  Magic with Vladimir - Master of Illusion & Levitation (1 p.m. and 4 p.m. - Toronto Star Stage)
Kids/Literary - Kids reading and crafts by Halia Dmytryshyn (1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. - Brigantine Room)
Food - Oryan Catering's Chiken Kyiv Demonstration (4 p.m. - Lakeside Terrace)
Festival Finale! >> Music/Dance - Pid Oblachkom featuring Desna Ukrainian Dance (4:30 p.m. - CIBC Stage)

Media Contacts:
Shane Gerard, 416-973-4655, sgerard@harbourfrontcentre.com
Bill Bobek, 416-973-4428, wbobek@harbourfrontcentre.com
Rebecca Webster, 416-973-4518, rwebster@harbourfrontcentre.com 

For additional Bloor West Village Ukrainian Festival information contact Halia Hrycyna at 416-410-9965