TORONTO—The sound of violins, guitars, and voices swept through the traditional rain at the annual Bloor West Village Ukrainian Festival last Saturday. Each September on the corner of Bloor St. and Jane St., an audience gathers with blue, yellow and black umbrellas to take in the wet performers on stage.
The festival injects Ukrainian performing groups with both excitement and anxiety. The amount of work and effort that artists and dancers pour into the festival reflects their respect for their Ukrainian roots. Once the music stops, the stage lights dim and the crowd dissolves, Bloor and Jane are left in the cold to reminisce until next year.
For lovers of different cultures and those who value Canada’s unique cultural diversity, Ukrainian folk dancing offers a remedy for the dull autumn chill hailing the beginning of winter. The DESNA Ukrainian Dance Company of Toronto, which won this year’s best non-commercial performance of the festival, is always searching for new dancers.
A bouquet of international dance
“DESNA is an international dance company, and we deliver international dance choreography,” said Yuri Grekov, one of DESNA’s artistic directors. Grekov and his wife Luba have taught at DESNA for over ten years. Both graduated from Ukraine’s famous Virsky National Academy of Dance.
DESNA’s repertoire includes country, gypsy and Kuban dances, Moldavian and even the South African Miners’ performances.
“These dances effectively develop the feel of the rhythm in dancers,” Grekov explained.
DESNA also teaches the Vaganova method ballet barre and the world renowned Virsky style of instruction. Posture, movement of the head, correct placement of the body, endurance, and expression make up the discipline of the Vaganova method. The Virsky style is the most authentic style of Ukrainian dance.
Looking into soul of Ukrainian dance
When piano chords echo in the hall, students hold the barre, bend their knees into a plié, and curl the other arm into the first position. The head follows the arm as it flows through the air like a wing. The rhythm picks up and the legs draw a rond de jambe on the ground or in the air. Then the pirouettes swirl until grand battement explodes and the working legs soar to heights over 90 degrees from the floor.
By the end, if sweat is not trickling down the dancers’ backs, it’s assumed they have not put enough effort into the movements.
After the ballet portion of the lesson comes to an end, the fast paced Ukrainian folk music replaces classical piano. The dancers spin, jump, hop, and tumble, perfecting their technique. By the time the three-hour class is finished, the stress from work, that sandwich for lunch, and the pressure from school evaporate with the sweat.
Performing around the world
“Basically it’s the travelling that are really the best of my memories,” said Matthew Moskaluk, who has danced Ukrainian folk dance since the age of four.
With DESNA, dancers had the chance to perform in Rochester, Ukraine, France, and different parts of Canada. To raise funds for the tours, the group hosts galas and performs for corporations or private events like weddings.
Folk dance groups like DESNA give students a chance to experience the world, build discipline, and maintain healthy bodies. For those who love dancing and travelling and want to grow as performers, DESNA invites prospective students aged 13 and up to join their open auditions held on Oct. 7 and 14 at 6:30 p.m. at the Ukrainian Cultural Centre of Toronto.
For more information on the DESNA Ukrainian Dance Company of Toronto please visit www.desna.ca.
