Shumka Dancers Tickets
All Events
Edmonton, Canada
Edmonton, Canada
Overall Rating
4.5
By Lori
Shumka
Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium - Calgary
The Disney theme was immature and out of character for a historically classy and traditional dance company. Moreover, there was no connection to the second theme after the intermission. I was wondering if the show was over after the first act/performance and so were other patrons seated next to me. The overall quality of synchronization and effort was not what I was expecting. Shumka used to produce better dancers in the 70s and 80s.
By Julian
Excellent entertainment
Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium - Calgary
For an group of young people, they are skilled, full of energy and urgently needed currently, to show how Ukrainian dancing evolved, starting 500 years ago south of Kyiv, Ukraine
By MJKowalsky
outstanding
Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium - Calgary
Shumka concert was wonderful, so full of color. I would definitely see them again. Everyone I talked to after who attended the performance was equally pleased they had attended.
By e. k.
Shumka is awesome
Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium - Calgary
First class high energy performance. I highly recommend it. Well coordinated and so much talent on the stage.
By Sandra
Excellent concert
Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium - Calgary
Loved the concert but there is no need to abandon paper programs. Fumbling with a small screen to try to read about the various dances was really annoying.
By Myron
Amazing
Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium - Calgary
Had a good mix of entertainment I really enjoyed this production, was bold to add in a movie script which was done very good
By D. M.
Fantastic
Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium - Calgary
Great energy and pride in the culture . Best evening in a long time
By Allan
Absolutely Amazing!
Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium - Calgary
A truly amazing show and performance overflowing with fantastic costumes, music, dancing, talent and energy. Shumka never disappoints, and tonight was no exception.
By KC
Couldn’t get enough!
Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium - Calgary
Loved everything about! Takes me back to my younger days and the love of Ukrainian dance.
By Jude
Awesome
Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium - Edmonton
Everything was amazing. Thoroughly enjoyed the performance! Well done 👍
Details
Shumka Dancers on Tour
Established in Edmonton, Alberta in 1959, the Ukrainian Shumka Dancers is Canada's only professional Ukrainian dance company. Shumka presents dance-theatre touring productions, as well as intimate concert repertoire across the country and around the world. Seen by millions on international television broadcasts, the company has presented command performances for Queens, Prime Ministers, and Presidents, and have performed alongside the likes of Andrea Bocelli, Julie Andrews and Ukrainian artists including Ruslana. Along with Alberta Ballet and Edmonton Opera, Shumka is honoured to be a resident company of the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium.
More than 60 years of performance history has shaped Shumka's signature music and dance style. While maintaining deep respect for their heritage, Shumka continually challenges conventional boundaries to define the experience of Ukrainian dance in the context of today's society.
Shumka has self-presented nine cross-Canada tours, and toured China and Ukraine on two occasions. One of Shumka's biggest productions was its presentation of Shumka's Cinderella which premiered in 2000 and toured Canada, China and Ukraine. (Director: Gordon Gordey / Choreography: John Pichlyk, Viktor Lytvynov / Music: Yuri Shevchenko / Costume and Set Design: Maria Levytska)
In 2016, Shumka premiered Kobzar. Inspired by the words and works of eminent Ukrainian writer Taras Shevchenko, Kobzar uses folk and character dance to bring his poignant message to the stage. Basing its narrative on four 'pillars' of Shevchenko's thought - Destiny, Soul, Courage and Hope - Shumka explores the timelessness of his expression. Using his powerful words as the guiding principle, this work delves into the emotional struggle of many of the world's nations as they strive to break free from oppression and unite in hope to fulfill their destiny. (Director: John Pichlyk / Choreography: Viktor Lytvynov, John Pichlyk / Music: Yuri Shevchenko / Costume Design: Maria Levytska / Set Design/Projections: Valeriy Semenko)
Shumka premiered two new works in 2018. Ancestors & Elders is a collaborative piece created with numerous local Indigenous artists. The work explores the relationship between Ukraine's first settlers to Canada and the Indigenous peoples they encountered here. A critical and community success, Ancestors & Elders explores the power of tradition and truth. (Director: Joseph Hoffman & Barry Bilinsky / Choreography: Joseph Hoffman, Tasha Orysiuk, Paul Olijnyk, Adrian LaChance / Music: Anders Hunter, Carissa Klopoushak, Mike Romaniak; Costume Design: Megan Koshka / Set Design/Projections: Svitlana Kravchuk, Lana Whiskeyjack, Elijah Lindenberger)
Shumka premiered a documentary called Dancing on Eggshells: The Making of Ancestors & Elders in September of 2019. It is currently available on Telus On Demand. (Film Directors: Leslie Sereda & Steve Glassman.)
Mosquito's Wedding (All We Need Is Love) was inspired by a traditional Ukrainian folk song. This family-focused dance theatre production features insect characters from various "regions" of Ukraine. Along with a message of acceptance and diversity, Mosquito's Wedding set a new path in the area of production for the company with a Disney-esque look and feel. (Director: Leslie Sereda / Choreography: Leslie Sereda; Joseph Hoffman, Tasha Orysiuk, Paul Olijnyk / Music: Andriy Shoost / Costume Design: Anna Ipatieva / Set Design/Projections: Andrii Zliobin)
Shumka presents Shumka's Nutcracker annually in Edmonton and other Canadian centres. A lush production of Tchaikovsky's Christmas classic, this Nutcracker has Ukrainian themes, added musical elements and symbols. Each year, Shumka is joined on stage by guest artists including dancers from the National Opera of Ukraine and Virsky Ukrainian National Folkdance Ensemble. (Creative Producer: Michael H. Sulyma / Choreography: Viktor Lytvynov, John Pichlyk / Music: P.I. Tchaikovsky, Yuri Shevchenko / Costume and Set Design: Maria Levytska)
Shumka is currently creating a new work called Echoes of Hopak. The Hopak is the ultimate celebration of Ukrainian culture. It is not only the national dance of Ukraine but it also symbolizes the cultural pride of the Ukrainian diaspora. The dance we recognize today has evolved over hundreds of years from a participatory act of village entertainment to the presentational experience that is performed on stages around the world. In 2020 Shumka is celebrating its 60 Anniversary as a Canadian Dance institution. The company's choreographic journey over those years runs parallel with the evolution of Hopak. This piece will explore the historical journey of Hopak while also paying tribute to 60 years of Shumka's artistic journey.
Shumka is also creating a new suite of dances with the working title, Tradition in Motion. A regional dance spectacular that celebrates the intricate footwork and vibrant colours of our roots in Ukraine, this collage of traditional movement features the regions of Volyn, Pollisia, Podillia, Bukovyna, Zakarpattia and the Lemkivshchyna.
Part of Shumka's mandate is the creation of a centre of excellence in dance education to prepare the next generation of dancers in the art form. The Shumka School of Dance trains over 200 young dancers using North America's only syllabus for Ukrainian dance, in addition to contemporary movement and RAD ballet instruction.
Studia Shumka - a junior performing ensemble and bridging program between the School and the professional company - was established in the Fall of 2018.
Shumka also offers Ukrainian-dance and RAD-based fitness classes for seniors and adults including its popular Seniors Can Shumka and Silver Swans programs.
Shumka is based in the Shumka Dance Centre in downtown Edmonton. For more information, visit shumka.com or contact darka.tarnawsky@shumka.com.