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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.
The show was absolutely stunning! Beautiful dancing, costumes, and props. We plan on attending Clara's Dream as an annual Christmas tradition. You will not be disappointed and the show was well worth the money.
Excellent dancing, costumes were amazing, would recommend
Clara’s dream was a wonderful experience. The dancing, the set, and the spirit were all amazing. Bravo to the cast and crew for a great show!
Shumka's Nutcracker was simply amazing. The costumes, backdrops etc. were very bright and elaborate. Energy simply radiated out into the audience. Would go back and see this again.
Awesome Artistry and performance from all the performers. Can't wait for their next production.
The dancers were absolutely amazing! The set and costumes were magical, and the overall atmosphere of the entire performance was exciting and energizing
This is an amazing production and well worth seeing again. The men's choir was superb and of course the dancers phenomenal.
We had real good seats , Sound system was right on , we have never had a bad time at the Jubilee Auditorium. I will try to get all my shows booked at the Jubilee Auditorium.
A wonderful performance by Shumka and the Ukrainian Bandurist Choir.
Thoroughly enjoyed the unique combination of the splendid male voices, with outstanding harmony, together with our invigorating Shumka in their artistic splendour !
Loved the traditional dancing!!! Loved the choir too
Shumka's traditional Hopak was the BEST I have "experienced" and not just seen, in over 40 years going to Ukrainian dance concerts. Every dance couple were just solid!!! The Bandurist Chorus were powerful and pure in voice.
A great concert with various degrees of action. Music was really good. A few problems with the sound system during the performance - very distracting.
the dancers and chorus did awesomely! They did an excellent job! was worth going! However, the sound system technical team made at least 4 mistakes plus at least 1 lighting mistake. We felt like the Sony Centre technical team was sabotaging the show with their poor equipment or poor technical team or they just didn't care so much from the beginning.
Would have preferred more dancing. Bandurist choir good but too long for those of us with limited Ukrainian. Subtitles would be of benefit.
Was concerned for the ears with some of the technological issues with the microphones
The entire performance was more than I expected. New dance arrangements and the music from the coral group was superb.
How wonderful! Beautiful imagery, over the top dancing and singing.... Stunning
The Shumka dancers are gifted beautiful dancers and their colorful costumes made this a spectacular show.
I knew many of the Shumka dancers from my past, 1978. This was an opportunity to introduce Shumka to my 25 year old daughter. She was as mesmerized as I always was. Fate accomplice. Thank you! They are timeless.
