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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.
Outstanding production. Great entertainment. Such unique creativity. The dance moves from traditional to unexpected. Costumes were so detailed and unique. Stage sets were outstanding especially Mosquitoes. Took us on a high energy trip from first act to Hopak!! Thanks so much for a fantastic nights entertainment we were not just audience we participated!!!
i took my dad to see this performance. he and i were completely blown away. awesome!
Loved the kids and the costumes. Fun to also see where the kids are in ballet classes and contemporary classes.
It was great to see the performers of all ages being able t
Amazing use of dance styles, characters, costumes, music, set, backdrop plus adaptation of story line. Best use of imaginations to create a humorous entertaining experience. Bravo!
Not what I have been used to with Ukrainian Dancing,but I really enjoyed the performance.The costuming was spectacular.I especially liked the Lasybugs.The music was so in keeping with the theme. Well done!
We took our grandchildren. The granddaughter who's 8 took Ukrainian dance lessons. She really enjoyed it. The grandson is 3 and was able to sit & enjoy it as it was just the right length of show. The costumes were amazing.
Expected more Shumka - more dancing to enjoy what they do best. This was more okay than dancing. Was disappointed.
The Ancestor and Elders production was a joy to watch and shows how through dance the indigenous community and Ukrainian community can teach fellow Canadians the importance of our heritage.
Felt OVERWHELMING emotions when they did the Residential School scene & I'm not really the type of person that is able to understand dance [i.e.: Ballet, etc.] . I had gone mainly to see the Shumka Dancers & was amazed by the Native Dancers!
We loved the performance of the Shumka dancers. The indigenous dancers had some good moments but couldn’t keep up to the pace of the Shumka.
This was a wonderful joining of two Cultures. The costumes and performances were amazing. I hope they consider doing this again or taking the show on the road.
This was a great show put together to show how the Native peoples and Ukrainian settlers interacted in the early years.
A very bold, artistic, and sensitive depiction of Canadian history and cultures. I am very proud and feel privileged to not only view, but truly feel a part of the show. Should be taken on he road.
April 27, 2018... will be a day and night I will never forget! For those of you considering to ...or are definitely going to ...Shumka’s concert tonight... YOU WILL BE AMAZED at all the dancing and your heart will be touched VERY DEEPLY (bring Kleenex... ) at the history and story being presented ... by both the Shumka Dancers and our Indigenous (First) Peoples. The final ‘HOPAK’ with both kinds of dancers... dancing with each other... was a BEAUTIFUL TRIBUTE to both cultures coming together as a FAMILY! As a GRAND FINALE.... everyone is invited to join in with ALL the dancers... in a ROUND DANCE ... winding off stage then through the theatre to on stage again! IT WAS A FIRST ... for the Jubilee Auditorium .... I AM SURE ! If you have never seen Ukrainian or Indigenous dancing before... you will be mesmerized by the beauty, athleticism, and energy it takes... to accomplish this story-telling in a very meaningful and artistically beautiful way...(not to mention the intricacies of the cultural and colourful hand-made costumes and regalia)! I could go on ... but still not give them enough credit and appreciation. You have to go see for yourself! I’m sorry I do not have pictures of the show during the show.... because it is not allowed. I know my Gido (Grandpa Jacob) and Baba (Grandma Helen) and daddy (Peter Balanchuk) all in heaven ... and my Metis Family (mom’s side of the family) in heaven...were with us there... and so proud that Bryce Monteith and I were at this concert together... honouring ALL our family’s heritage. It was beyond BEAUTIFUL and MEANINGFUL... for us and I’m POSITIVE.... many if not all...who were there last night! I wish we could see it AGAIN !!! We enjoyed every minute of it - this is an historical event.
8/10 great stage presentation with amazing costumes
What a wonderful show. It was a Christmas gift for our family and all four of us have enjoyed it immensely. Beautiful production; joy to watch. Thank you Shumka!!!
The most spectacular Nut Cracker I've ever attended. The power of the dancers, the spectacular costumes, time loved music, sets made it an all round perfect performance! I plan on bringing all my older grandkids next year. Thank you Shumka and co-dancers!
I had the priveledge of taking my daughter and her friend to this performance on the 30th of December, 2017. The Nutcracker is a Christmas tradition in our home so we always look forward to going. I had never, however, heard of this interpretation 'Shumka's' Nutcracker so thought we would give it a try. Well, what a fantastic surprise! The music was some of the traditional and then new performances added that we had never heard before. The dancers added an upbeat kick to the regular show with the best part in the second half when all the dancers were on stage dancing a Ukeranian number. It was breathtaking! The costumes and set were lively and colourful! I'd see this version again anyday!
Amazing talent, beautiful stage set up. A great show with amazing dancers. Great to see kids taking part in this amazing show. I can’t wait for next year!
