Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Край - A great Ukrainian musical tradition!
Nice to have a front-row seat to a musical moment of "living history" in Ukraine!
Sofia Rotaru version from 1979:
The sentiment and tradition carried on by a new generation:
Friday, October 07, 2011
Spectacular violinist coming to Canadian stages starting in Vancouver
One of the performers traveling across Canada Lviv , Ukraine where she studied music and launched a musical career that had her performing on stages throughout Europe .
With charming candour, she admits to an abiding love of Ukrainian folk music, the stage, and pleasing audiences with her music. This woman's joy of performing shines through the minute she first pulls the bow across the strings. She'll then take you on a musical journey that is guaranteed to pluck the heartstrings of any Ukrainian folk music lover.
Innesa has her own website which is www.innesa.com and you can read more about her and order her CDs there.
Meanwhile, I found a few YouTube videos of Innesa performing. They’ll give you an idea of her onstage charisma. But there’s nothing like the real thing! So I hope you'll join me in seeing her perform live on stage inVancouver
This is Vivaldi's Storm, which opened the show we chatted on:
This is her performing Podolianka at her own wedding.
...and someone else's wedding (where she puts me in mind of the late Al Czerny):
For those earlybirds amongst us, here she is doing a medley of Ukrainian Christmas tunes:
And one more medley of Ukrainian folk tunes:
See you at the show!
In a recent interview on Nash Holos Ukrainian Roots Radio, she revealed that she was a child prodigy at age 6. While she studied classical violin, she was also enthralled by the beauty and power of traditional Ukrainian folk music. In fact she was so drawn to it that she developed her own "fusion" style of contemporary Ukrainian folk music.
With charming candour, she admits to an abiding love of Ukrainian folk music, the stage, and pleasing audiences with her music. This woman's joy of performing shines through the minute she first pulls the bow across the strings. She'll then take you on a musical journey that is guaranteed to pluck the heartstrings of any Ukrainian folk music lover.
This will be Innesa's first trip to Canada Vancouver on Tuesday, October 11 at the Vancouver Center
If you haven't bought your tickets yet, don't wait a minute longer! This will be a show you don't want to miss.
Along with Innesa, you'll be delighted with the performances of two outstanding singers fromUkraine as well as the spectacular Donbas Song and Dance Company of Ukraine Western Canada can be purchased from Ticketmaster, and elsewhere from the venues where the show is being held. Details at the Boen Arts website and in earlier posts (here and here).
Along with Innesa, you'll be delighted with the performances of two outstanding singers from
Innesa has her own website which is www.innesa.com and you can read more about her and order her CDs there.
Meanwhile, I found a few YouTube videos of Innesa performing. They’ll give you an idea of her onstage charisma. But there’s nothing like the real thing! So I hope you'll join me in seeing her perform live on stage in
This is Vivaldi's Storm, which opened the show we chatted on:
This is her performing Podolianka at her own wedding.
...and someone else's wedding (where she puts me in mind of the late Al Czerny):
For those earlybirds amongst us, here she is doing a medley of Ukrainian Christmas tunes:
And one more medley of Ukrainian folk tunes:
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Theresa Sokyrka - Ukrainian Canadian Idol
An absolute joy to listen to, and talk with! If you missed the interview with Theresa Sokyrka on Nash Holos Ukrainian Roots Radio a couple of weeks ago, or would like to hear it again, you can catch it on the Interviews page at the Nash Holos website.
We chatted about her music career, her Ukrainian roots, her experience on Canadian Idol, and other things.
Many thanks to Theresa for the interview. I was unfortunately unable to take in her live performance in Parksville (minor surgery the day before) and hope to get a chance to chat with her in person next time she's on the Island.
In the meantime, enjoy these videos I found of her on YouTube:
We chatted about her music career, her Ukrainian roots, her experience on Canadian Idol, and other things.
Many thanks to Theresa for the interview. I was unfortunately unable to take in her live performance in Parksville (minor surgery the day before) and hope to get a chance to chat with her in person next time she's on the Island.
In the meantime, enjoy these videos I found of her on YouTube:
Wednesday, September 07, 2011
Musical mockument of Ukraine's "democrats"
My friend Stepan Pasicznuk (a.k.a. "Ludwig") employed his classic Brit wit in this song he wrote about the pathetic state of Ukraine's parliament.
These clowns want all the perks of a civil society without putting out any effort to be civil themselves, much less act with any decorum or dignity in their role as representatives of their country and constituents.
They deserve much more contempt than this gentle satire but it's nonetheless quite amusing and cutting enough.
These clowns want all the perks of a civil society without putting out any effort to be civil themselves, much less act with any decorum or dignity in their role as representatives of their country and constituents.
They deserve much more contempt than this gentle satire but it's nonetheless quite amusing and cutting enough.
Friday, July 08, 2011
Updated info on Talents of Ukraine tour
The itinerary and other details of the Honored Academic Song and Dance Company of Ukraine "Donbas" 2011 Canadian tour are now available at the Boen Performing Arts website.
You can find an overview of the group and a video in
You can find an overview of the group and a video in
Wednesday, July 06, 2011
Talents of Ukraine – 2011 Canadian Tour
Boen Performing Arts is bringing another fabulous Ukrainian act to Canada this fall.
Just got word of it and waiting to get details from Ken Kachmar of Boen Arts ... this story is so new it it wasn't even posted on their website the last time I checked!
Here's what is known so far:
The show tour, dedicated to the 120th anniversary of Ukrainians in Canada, will feature The Honored Academic Song and Dance Company of Ukraine "Donbas."
The group began its creative activity in 1937 in the city of Donetsk, Ukraine and since then has enchanted audiences with the bright spectacle of the song and dance of their native land.
Many well known choreographers have worked in this Dance Company, including Pavlo Virsky, Oleksiy Homon, and Valentyn Mykhailow.
Donbas has performed in Poland, Romania, Germany, Spain, France, Greece, Portugal and other European venues. During the last decade, under the direction of Valentyn Kichik and artistic direction of Oleksander Prokopenko, they performed in the USA, China, Syria and three times in Brazil.
I couldn't find a website for them but did come across this delightful YouTube video of a group by that name. If it's the same group then Canadian audiences are in for a real treat!
Featured soloists are violinist Innesa Tymochko and singers Svitlana Sasu and Yevhen Vaskin.
Innesa Tymochko has performed at concerts, banquets, festivals, on television, radio, and in theaters throughout Europe, including Belgium, Spain, France, Netherlands, Portugal, Austria, Serbia, Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Germany, Russia and Chernohirja. In 2005 she was a featured performer at the internationally acclaimed Eurovision Awards, Europe's answer to America's Grammy Awards, held in Kyiv.
Yevhen Vaskin has a charming tenor voice and a varied repertoire ranging from folk songs to contemporary arrangements of original compositions. He has performed extensively on the international scene and has won several all-Ukrainian vocal competitions.
Svitlana Sasu is a Ukrainian actress and singer, originally from Moldova, who currently lives and works in Kyiv. She has won many awards, including the International vocal competition "Baltic Trembita" in Tallin, Estonia (2005), the International competition "Perlyna" (Pearl) in Tyraspil, Moldova (2007), an international competition of Ukrainian songs "Hilka Kalyny" (Rasberry branch) in Rome, Italy (2010, and in 2011, she was the winner of the International singing competition of Ukrainian Romance in Lviv, Ukraine, honouring the beloved Ukrainian American singer, the late Kvitka Cisyk.
So far this is where The Talents of Ukraine 2011 Canadian Tour is booked to perform:
Vancouver on Tuesday, October 11 at The Centre For Performing Arts, 777 Homer St. (Tickets)
Vernon on Wednesday, October 12 at the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre (Tickets)
Edmonton on Friday, October 14 at the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, 11455 — 87 Avenue (Tickets)
More details as I get them. Stay tuned!
Just got word of it and waiting to get details from Ken Kachmar of Boen Arts ... this story is so new it it wasn't even posted on their website the last time I checked!
Here's what is known so far:
The show tour, dedicated to the 120th anniversary of Ukrainians in Canada, will feature The Honored Academic Song and Dance Company of Ukraine "Donbas."
The group began its creative activity in 1937 in the city of Donetsk, Ukraine and since then has enchanted audiences with the bright spectacle of the song and dance of their native land.
Many well known choreographers have worked in this Dance Company, including Pavlo Virsky, Oleksiy Homon, and Valentyn Mykhailow.
Donbas has performed in Poland, Romania, Germany, Spain, France, Greece, Portugal and other European venues. During the last decade, under the direction of Valentyn Kichik and artistic direction of Oleksander Prokopenko, they performed in the USA, China, Syria and three times in Brazil.
I couldn't find a website for them but did come across this delightful YouTube video of a group by that name. If it's the same group then Canadian audiences are in for a real treat!
Featured soloists are violinist Innesa Tymochko and singers Svitlana Sasu and Yevhen Vaskin.
Innesa Tymochko has performed at concerts, banquets, festivals, on television, radio, and in theaters throughout Europe, including Belgium, Spain, France, Netherlands, Portugal, Austria, Serbia, Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Germany, Russia and Chernohirja. In 2005 she was a featured performer at the internationally acclaimed Eurovision Awards, Europe's answer to America's Grammy Awards, held in Kyiv.
Yevhen Vaskin has a charming tenor voice and a varied repertoire ranging from folk songs to contemporary arrangements of original compositions. He has performed extensively on the international scene and has won several all-Ukrainian vocal competitions.
Svitlana Sasu is a Ukrainian actress and singer, originally from Moldova, who currently lives and works in Kyiv. She has won many awards, including the International vocal competition "Baltic Trembita" in Tallin, Estonia (2005), the International competition "Perlyna" (Pearl) in Tyraspil, Moldova (2007), an international competition of Ukrainian songs "Hilka Kalyny" (Rasberry branch) in Rome, Italy (2010, and in 2011, she was the winner of the International singing competition of Ukrainian Romance in Lviv, Ukraine, honouring the beloved Ukrainian American singer, the late Kvitka Cisyk.
So far this is where The Talents of Ukraine 2011 Canadian Tour is booked to perform:
Vancouver on Tuesday, October 11 at The Centre For Performing Arts, 777 Homer St. (Tickets)
Vernon on Wednesday, October 12 at the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre (Tickets)
Edmonton on Friday, October 14 at the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, 11455 — 87 Avenue (Tickets)
More details as I get them. Stay tuned!
Sunday, July 03, 2011
Kubasonics on hold after 15th anniversary celebrations
In 15 years The Kubasonics have gone where few polka bands have gone before.
But then, The Kubasonics are not your average polka band.
Their unique brand of speed-folk incorporates elements of
But then, The Kubasonics are not your average polka band.
Their unique brand of speed-folk incorporates elements of
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Thursday, June 16, 2011
New York Ukrainian Polka band Hrim releases new album
Hrim is a Ukrainian band based out of New York City which just released their self-titled debut album in May 2011.
Since its inception in 2005, Hrim has performed at festivals, weddings, zabavas, and other functions throughout North America in cities including New York, Philadelphia, Boston, Chicago, Buffalo, Washington D.C., Toronto, Montreal, and many more.
The band recently performed at the Hopak in the Park festival in Melbourne, Australia along with a sold-out zabava there.
The band continues to perform non-stop and hopes to explore other areas of the Ukrainian diaspora with their music.
Their sound is a mix of traditional music styles – polkas, tangos, and waltzes fused with more modern rock, ska, and punk styles. It is a distinctly Ukrainian sound, yet absolutely unique to the group.
Hrim consists of Roman Palylyk (bass and vocals), Peter Drobenko (accordion), Will Wyatt (guitar), Peter Kolinsky (vocals), and John Drobenko (drums).
The band was fortunate to collaborate with other talented musicians on the album including Slau Halatyn (backing vocals and guitar), Andrij Stasiw (piano and composer), and Olenka Dolak (cello).
You can find out more about Hrim at their MySpace page.You can also follow them on Twitter and Facebook. To purchase the album, visit their CD Baby page where you can either download mp3s or buy a physical CD. Hrim will be releasing the album on iTunes as well.
You’ll be able to hear Hrim on Nash Holos Ukrainian Roots Radio in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, here’s a sneak preview from a couple of years ago at the Toronto Ukrainian Festival.
Enjoy!
Since its inception in 2005, Hrim has performed at festivals, weddings, zabavas, and other functions throughout North America in cities including New York, Philadelphia, Boston, Chicago, Buffalo, Washington D.C., Toronto, Montreal, and many more.
The band recently performed at the Hopak in the Park festival in Melbourne, Australia along with a sold-out zabava there.
The band continues to perform non-stop and hopes to explore other areas of the Ukrainian diaspora with their music.
Their sound is a mix of traditional music styles – polkas, tangos, and waltzes fused with more modern rock, ska, and punk styles. It is a distinctly Ukrainian sound, yet absolutely unique to the group.
Hrim consists of Roman Palylyk (bass and vocals), Peter Drobenko (accordion), Will Wyatt (guitar), Peter Kolinsky (vocals), and John Drobenko (drums).
The band was fortunate to collaborate with other talented musicians on the album including Slau Halatyn (backing vocals and guitar), Andrij Stasiw (piano and composer), and Olenka Dolak (cello).
You can find out more about Hrim at their MySpace page.You can also follow them on Twitter and Facebook. To purchase the album, visit their CD Baby page where you can either download mp3s or buy a physical CD. Hrim will be releasing the album on iTunes as well.
You’ll be able to hear Hrim on Nash Holos Ukrainian Roots Radio in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, here’s a sneak preview from a couple of years ago at the Toronto Ukrainian Festival.
Enjoy!
Sunday, June 05, 2011
Baritone Michael Minsky's Ukrainian recordings: A historical treasure
Michael Minsky was a brilliant opera star who sang in virtually every major concert hall in the United States.
Born in Russia in 1918, Minsky studied music at the University of Kazan and the Moscow conservatory. When WWII broke out, however, he was drafted into the Red Army and was soon captured by the Nazis.
He ended up in a slave labour camp and then in several “displaced persons” (refugee) camps after the war.
Although ethnically Russian, in the camps he was surrounded by Ukrainians and soon fell in love with the people, the music and the culture.
He joined several choirs, including the Don Cossack Choir and the Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus. From 1948 to 1984 Minsky sang with such Ukrainian musical luminaries as Ivan Zadorozny, Volodymyr Bozyk and Hryhory Kytasty.
In 1949 Minsky and the Bandurist Chorus traveled to America, where they were received at the White House and performed many concerts.
In 1950 Minsky made his first recording and went on to record another 20 with various Ukrainian artists, including songs of the Ukrainian Legion of World War I and the Ukrainian Underground Army. In 1953 he was granted American citizenship.
Minsky was very active in the Ukrainian community in the United States and Canada. In 1971 the Ukrainian community in Minneapolis honoured Minsky with a gala concert. Later that year he went on a concert tour to Ukrainian centers in Great Britain, then in 1972 to Australia. On his return to Europe he produced a series of records with the Vienna Symphony Orchestra.
By the mid 1960s, Minsky was spending most of his time in Europe. In 1978, he settled permanently in Zwolle, the Netherlands. Holland was where, in 1967, Minsky met his wife, Irina Jacoba.
Irina had no inkling of the prolific extent of her husband’s Ukrainian musical career ... until after his death in 1988. Astounded at the size of his repertoire, and realizing its historic significance, she took upon herself the gargantuan task of compiling and restoring the entire collection.
Somehow I ended up on Irina's bulk email list, and kept getting emails from her asking for help with the project.
Intrigued, I emailed her back a few times and finally connected with her by skype to get some details on the project and her progress so far.
What an incredible experience to encounter the fierce determination of this fascinating Dutch woman! Equally incredible was the story about her project and the love and devotion of her Russian husband for Ukrainian culture. (Interview on the this past Sunday's Vancouver edition of Nash Holos Ukrainian Roots Radio. It will air again on the international edition this weekend on PCJ Radio. Archives on the Nash Holos and PCJ websites.)
Working with volunteers, Irina has almost achieved her goal of compiling and restoring all of Michael Minsky's Ukrainian recordings. However, she is still missing these items:
ARKA 405a
Гей, пластуни! Пісня закарпатських пластунів. Слова: С. Черкасенко. Музика – Я. Ярославенко М. Фоменко. Сольо: М. Мінський. М. Фоменко: ф-но.
Hey, boy scouts! Song of the transcarpathian boy scouts. Lyrics: S. Cherkasenko. Music: Ia. Iaroslavenko/M. Fomenko. M. Minsky, baritone. M. Fomenko, piano.
ARKA 405b
При ватрі. Пластова пісня. Слова: Ю. Старосольський. Музика: Я. Пясецький/М. Фоменко. М. Мінський, баритон. М. Фоменко, ф-но
By the Camp-Fire. Ukrainian scout song. Lyrics: Iuri Starosolsky. Music: Iuri Piasetsky, M. Fomenko. M. Minsky, baritone. M. Fomenko, piano.
BMP 101a
Іди від мене. Leave me.
BMP 101b
Гей, маршують вже повстанці. Marching freedom fighters.
Ансамбль бандуристів під орудою Стефана Ганушевського
Bandurist Ensemble under the direction of Stefan Hanushevsky
TREMBITA 300a
Забудь мене. Forget me.
TREMBITA 300b
Тихесенький вечір. Tranquil evening.
Музика: К. Стеценко. Сольо: М. Мінський.
Music: K. Stetsenko. Soloist: M. Minsky.
SEAGRAM, 29-9-1951 Archive nr. 2000.097.r002.4
Арія султана з опери Запорожець за Дунаєм
Sultan’s aria from the opera Kozak beyond the Danube
RUSALKA LP
М. Мінський співає українські пісні
M. Minsky sings in Ukrainian.
UCH 302a
Гомін села. Humming village.
UCH 302b
Сусідка. Neighbor girl.
Музика: А. Гнатишин. Солісти: Мінський і Сілецький
Хор Трембіта. Дириґент – Кирило Цепенда.
Music: A. Hnatyshyn. Soloists: Minsky and Siletsky.
Ukrainian choir Trembita. Kyryko Tsependa, conductor.
RCA 2220
У мене був коханий, рідний край. Музика : М. Лисенко
I once had a beloved homeland. Music: M. Lysenko
О, ще не всі умерли жалі. Музика – Яків Степовий
Not all sorrows passed away. Music: Iakiv Stepovyi
RCA 2221
Ще день, чи два – аріосо з опери Кармелюк. Музика: В. Костенко
A day, or two – arioso from the opera Karmeliuk. Music: V. Kostenko.
RCA 2222
Як стрільці йшли з України. Музика: Р. Купчинський/М. Фоменко
When the freedom fighters left Ukraine. Music: R. Kupchynsky/M.Fomenko
RCA 2223
Мав я раз дівчиноньку. Мізика: Р. Купчинський М. Фоменко
I had a sweetheart, once. Music: R. Kupchynskyi/M. Fomenko
Альбом з двох плит. Богдан Пюрко при фортепіані
Two record album. Bohdan Piurko, piano.
Irina is appealing to the public to help her complete this collection of Michael Minsky’s restored Ukrainian works. She’s hoping that whoever might have these items would be willing to donate (or even sell) them to her. If you or someone you know has any of them, please contact Irina by email to make arrangements.
(Sources: Wikipedia, Antonio Hopla, Irina Jacoba on Nash Holos.)
 |
| Michael Minsky. Photo/portrait from CD cover: Bandura: Michael Minsky, songs of a Don Cossack |
He ended up in a slave labour camp and then in several “displaced persons” (refugee) camps after the war.
Although ethnically Russian, in the camps he was surrounded by Ukrainians and soon fell in love with the people, the music and the culture.
He joined several choirs, including the Don Cossack Choir and the Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus. From 1948 to 1984 Minsky sang with such Ukrainian musical luminaries as Ivan Zadorozny, Volodymyr Bozyk and Hryhory Kytasty.
In 1949 Minsky and the Bandurist Chorus traveled to America, where they were received at the White House and performed many concerts.
In 1950 Minsky made his first recording and went on to record another 20 with various Ukrainian artists, including songs of the Ukrainian Legion of World War I and the Ukrainian Underground Army. In 1953 he was granted American citizenship.
Minsky was very active in the Ukrainian community in the United States and Canada. In 1971 the Ukrainian community in Minneapolis honoured Minsky with a gala concert. Later that year he went on a concert tour to Ukrainian centers in Great Britain, then in 1972 to Australia. On his return to Europe he produced a series of records with the Vienna Symphony Orchestra.
By the mid 1960s, Minsky was spending most of his time in Europe. In 1978, he settled permanently in Zwolle, the Netherlands. Holland was where, in 1967, Minsky met his wife, Irina Jacoba.
Irina had no inkling of the prolific extent of her husband’s Ukrainian musical career ... until after his death in 1988. Astounded at the size of his repertoire, and realizing its historic significance, she took upon herself the gargantuan task of compiling and restoring the entire collection.
Somehow I ended up on Irina's bulk email list, and kept getting emails from her asking for help with the project.
Intrigued, I emailed her back a few times and finally connected with her by skype to get some details on the project and her progress so far.
What an incredible experience to encounter the fierce determination of this fascinating Dutch woman! Equally incredible was the story about her project and the love and devotion of her Russian husband for Ukrainian culture. (Interview on the this past Sunday's Vancouver edition of Nash Holos Ukrainian Roots Radio. It will air again on the international edition this weekend on PCJ Radio. Archives on the Nash Holos and PCJ websites.)
Working with volunteers, Irina has almost achieved her goal of compiling and restoring all of Michael Minsky's Ukrainian recordings. However, she is still missing these items:
ARKA 405a
Гей, пластуни! Пісня закарпатських пластунів. Слова: С. Черкасенко. Музика – Я. Ярославенко М. Фоменко. Сольо: М. Мінський. М. Фоменко: ф-но.
Hey, boy scouts! Song of the transcarpathian boy scouts. Lyrics: S. Cherkasenko. Music: Ia. Iaroslavenko/M. Fomenko. M. Minsky, baritone. M. Fomenko, piano.
ARKA 405b
При ватрі. Пластова пісня. Слова: Ю. Старосольський. Музика: Я. Пясецький/М. Фоменко. М. Мінський, баритон. М. Фоменко, ф-но
By the Camp-Fire. Ukrainian scout song. Lyrics: Iuri Starosolsky. Music: Iuri Piasetsky, M. Fomenko. M. Minsky, baritone. M. Fomenko, piano.
BMP 101a
Іди від мене. Leave me.
BMP 101b
Гей, маршують вже повстанці. Marching freedom fighters.
Ансамбль бандуристів під орудою Стефана Ганушевського
Bandurist Ensemble under the direction of Stefan Hanushevsky
TREMBITA 300a
Забудь мене. Forget me.
TREMBITA 300b
Тихесенький вечір. Tranquil evening.
Музика: К. Стеценко. Сольо: М. Мінський.
Music: K. Stetsenko. Soloist: M. Minsky.
SEAGRAM, 29-9-1951 Archive nr. 2000.097.r002.4
Арія султана з опери Запорожець за Дунаєм
Sultan’s aria from the opera Kozak beyond the Danube
RUSALKA LP
М. Мінський співає українські пісні
M. Minsky sings in Ukrainian.
UCH 302a
Гомін села. Humming village.
UCH 302b
Сусідка. Neighbor girl.
Музика: А. Гнатишин. Солісти: Мінський і Сілецький
Хор Трембіта. Дириґент – Кирило Цепенда.
Music: A. Hnatyshyn. Soloists: Minsky and Siletsky.
Ukrainian choir Trembita. Kyryko Tsependa, conductor.
RCA 2220
У мене був коханий, рідний край. Музика : М. Лисенко
I once had a beloved homeland. Music: M. Lysenko
О, ще не всі умерли жалі. Музика – Яків Степовий
Not all sorrows passed away. Music: Iakiv Stepovyi
RCA 2221
Ще день, чи два – аріосо з опери Кармелюк. Музика: В. Костенко
A day, or two – arioso from the opera Karmeliuk. Music: V. Kostenko.
RCA 2222
Як стрільці йшли з України. Музика: Р. Купчинський/М. Фоменко
When the freedom fighters left Ukraine. Music: R. Kupchynsky/M.Fomenko
RCA 2223
Мав я раз дівчиноньку. Мізика: Р. Купчинський М. Фоменко
I had a sweetheart, once. Music: R. Kupchynskyi/M. Fomenko
Альбом з двох плит. Богдан Пюрко при фортепіані
Two record album. Bohdan Piurko, piano.
Irina is appealing to the public to help her complete this collection of Michael Minsky’s restored Ukrainian works. She’s hoping that whoever might have these items would be willing to donate (or even sell) them to her. If you or someone you know has any of them, please contact Irina by email to make arrangements.
(Sources: Wikipedia, Antonio Hopla, Irina Jacoba on Nash Holos.)
Thursday, June 02, 2011
Ukrainian Dancers wow audience and panelists on Australia's Got Talent
Can't help wondering how Simon Cowell would react but the Ozzies certainly appreciate good music and good dancing!
Of course who in their right mind doesn't love Ukrainian dancing when they see it? LOL
This Australian bunch of Ukrainian dancers is fantastic.
Enjoy!
Of course who in their right mind doesn't love Ukrainian dancing when they see it? LOL
This Australian bunch of Ukrainian dancers is fantastic.
Enjoy!
Monday, February 21, 2011
Nash Holos - Feb. 20, 2011
The podcast of this week's edition Nash Holos is now available for download!
• Kultural Capsule with Vasyl Pawlowsky features Stepan Pasicznyk (Ludwig), former accordionist with The Ukrainians and now with The Ukes
• A Spiritual Moment of Ukrainian Christian Heritage with Fr. Ihor Kutash of Montreal
• Ukrainian proverb of the week
• Upcoming events in BC’s Ukrainian community
• Plenty of great Ukrainian music!
Enjoy!
• Kultural Capsule with Vasyl Pawlowsky features Stepan Pasicznyk (Ludwig), former accordionist with The Ukrainians and now with The Ukes
• A Spiritual Moment of Ukrainian Christian Heritage with Fr. Ihor Kutash of Montreal
• Ukrainian proverb of the week
• Upcoming events in BC’s Ukrainian community
• Plenty of great Ukrainian music!
Enjoy!
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
These Ukrainians definitely can dance!
Virsky, Ukraine's National Dance Company, will kick off their 2010 Canadian concert tour October 7 in Vancouver!
The Vancouver concert happens at the Vancouver Centre for Performing Arts, 777 Homer Street, Vancouver. Showtime is 7:30 pm.
Tickets on sale now at Ticketmaster or call 604-280-4444. (Or, tune in to Nash Holos for ticket giveaways.)
You don't want to miss this performance! Here's a sneak preview:
The Vancouver concert happens at the Vancouver Centre for Performing Arts, 777 Homer Street, Vancouver. Showtime is 7:30 pm.
Tickets on sale now at Ticketmaster or call 604-280-4444. (Or, tune in to Nash Holos for ticket giveaways.)
You don't want to miss this performance! Here's a sneak preview:
Monday, September 27, 2010
Thugs attack music lovers in Ukraine
A Kyiv Post article reports that some two dozen of Ukraine's neantherthals came out of their caves last night, taking baseball bats to a rock festival last night in Irpen, a town outside Kyiv.
These thugs injured several security guards severely enough that they required hospitalization. The neanderthal elements in charge of the state police have, of course, made no arrests. Which kind of makes one wonder just who instigated this attack.
It is heartbreaking to see Ukraine being dragged back into the dark ages. It is equally disgusting that no western government can seem to fathom the global implications, much less possesses sufficient balls to take a stand.
This includes our own Prime Minister who either doesn't know or (more likely) doesn't care enough about human rights and press freedom violations to do more than pose for a photo with Ukraine's current president. You'd think he could at least mention these violations in one of his statements of Canada's concerns.
When Ukrainian music lovers can't safely enjoy an outdoor music concert, and politicians accuse Ukrainian rock bands (of all people!) of "promoting fascism and xenophobia" it's a huge step back for democracy.
Here in the west, celebrities are (so far) free to criticize politicians and the government and call them to account. But Ukraine's current government prefers to live in a time warp. It appears that few politicians in the former soviet union are willing to allow this kind of freedom. Those who are willing to don't last long in office.
It's clear this current regime appears bound and determined to bring back the "glory days" of the old soviet union... when intimidation tactics and thuggery were the modus operandi of the state.
OTOH maybe it's not a step backwards. Seems like not much has really changed since the collapse of the iron curtain ... except to get worse. Ditto the indifference of western governments.
Read the article here.
These thugs injured several security guards severely enough that they required hospitalization. The neanderthal elements in charge of the state police have, of course, made no arrests. Which kind of makes one wonder just who instigated this attack.
It is heartbreaking to see Ukraine being dragged back into the dark ages. It is equally disgusting that no western government can seem to fathom the global implications, much less possesses sufficient balls to take a stand.
This includes our own Prime Minister who either doesn't know or (more likely) doesn't care enough about human rights and press freedom violations to do more than pose for a photo with Ukraine's current president. You'd think he could at least mention these violations in one of his statements of Canada's concerns.
When Ukrainian music lovers can't safely enjoy an outdoor music concert, and politicians accuse Ukrainian rock bands (of all people!) of "promoting fascism and xenophobia" it's a huge step back for democracy.
Here in the west, celebrities are (so far) free to criticize politicians and the government and call them to account. But Ukraine's current government prefers to live in a time warp. It appears that few politicians in the former soviet union are willing to allow this kind of freedom. Those who are willing to don't last long in office.
It's clear this current regime appears bound and determined to bring back the "glory days" of the old soviet union... when intimidation tactics and thuggery were the modus operandi of the state.
OTOH maybe it's not a step backwards. Seems like not much has really changed since the collapse of the iron curtain ... except to get worse. Ditto the indifference of western governments.
Read the article here.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Vintage Bridal Gown Fashion Show and High Tea at St. Mary's
The Vancouver Vancouver
This unique event will feature bridal gowns going back to the early 20th century and continuing up to today. Young women in the local Ukrainian community will model several vintage gowns.
Other gowns will be on display along with traditional Ukrainian wedding artifacts and photos. As well, there will be a “Guess Who the Bride Is?” contest.
To wrap up the show, Svitanok Chorus will sing pre wedding songs and feature a reenactment by a soloist “bride to be” from their musical Vinkopletennia, a traditional Ukrainian bridal shower.
The High Tea following the fashion show will feature delicious home-made delicacies by the ladies of the parish.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $4 for children under 12. Please book in advance and help the ladies prepare enough food.
Tickets are available from Sophia at 604 568-2034, Nadia at 604 432-7144 or Ann (Kvitka) at 604 925-2581.
This unique event will feature bridal gowns going back to the early 20th century and continuing up to today. Young women in the local Ukrainian community will model several vintage gowns.
Other gowns will be on display along with traditional Ukrainian wedding artifacts and photos. As well, there will be a “Guess Who the Bride Is?” contest.
To wrap up the show, Svitanok Chorus will sing pre wedding songs and feature a reenactment by a soloist “bride to be” from their musical Vinkopletennia, a traditional Ukrainian bridal shower.
The High Tea following the fashion show will feature delicious home-made delicacies by the ladies of the parish.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $4 for children under 12. Please book in advance and help the ladies prepare enough food.
Tickets are available from Sophia at 604 568-2034, Nadia at 604 432-7144 or Ann (Kvitka) at 604 925-2581.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Ukrainian folk group Zubrivka at the Toronto Ukrainian Festival
Here's the schedule for their festival performances:
Saturday, September 18 from 6:30 – 8:30 pm EDT
Sunday, September 19 from 3:30 – 4:00 pm EDT
Bloor West Village Ukrainian Festival
2440 Bloor St. W
Toronto ON
This TV special about them is in Ukrainian but even if you don't understand the language, you'll understand the universal language of the music.
Enjoy!
Saturday, September 18 from 6:30 – 8:30 pm EDT
Sunday, September 19 from 3:30 – 4:00 pm EDT
Bloor West Village Ukrainian Festival
2440 Bloor St. W
Toronto ON
This TV special about them is in Ukrainian but even if you don't understand the language, you'll understand the universal language of the music.
Enjoy!
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Astounding talent - virtuoso violinist Vasyl Popadiuk
If you are anywhere near Toronto this coming weekend, do not miss the chance to see this amazing musician perform live.
I have a couple of his CDs... which get a fair bit of airplay on Nash Holos. They are incredible enough as it is, but no comparison to seeing him on stage. So if you haen't yet, you can only imagine!
The first time I saw him was back in 1993, in Vancouver's Centennial Theatre. At the time he was with the Hopak Ukrainian Folk Dance Company of Ukraine. The troupe disbanded shortly thereafter, presumably due to a good number of members falling in love with Canada and deciding to stay.
However, the show was, in a word, spectacular. One of the acts was this young man sawing away on a violin ... and the way the hairs stood up on the back of my neck, I just knew that wouldn't be last I'd see or hear of him.
He settled in Toronto, where he developed a cabaret act calling himself Papa Duke. I'm told he has since recently relocated to Ottawa.
An earlier post I did on him just ahead of his concert in Hamilton last year featured a few videos of him performing.
Here's another one:
I have a couple of his CDs... which get a fair bit of airplay on Nash Holos. They are incredible enough as it is, but no comparison to seeing him on stage. So if you haen't yet, you can only imagine!
The first time I saw him was back in 1993, in Vancouver's Centennial Theatre. At the time he was with the Hopak Ukrainian Folk Dance Company of Ukraine. The troupe disbanded shortly thereafter, presumably due to a good number of members falling in love with Canada and deciding to stay.
However, the show was, in a word, spectacular. One of the acts was this young man sawing away on a violin ... and the way the hairs stood up on the back of my neck, I just knew that wouldn't be last I'd see or hear of him.
He settled in Toronto, where he developed a cabaret act calling himself Papa Duke. I'm told he has since recently relocated to Ottawa.
An earlier post I did on him just ahead of his concert in Hamilton last year featured a few videos of him performing.
Here's another one:
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
See Dunai at the Toronto Ukrainian Festival
Here's a sneak peek of what Dunai may have in store for you this coming weekend at the Toronto Ukrainian Festival.
They're playing a traditional Ukrainian folksong, Yikhaly Kozaky (Їхали Козаки), actually quite a gruesome and tragic tale played in a very upbeat polka style ... which is the norm for this song btw.
Well, who said Ukrainians don't have a sense of humour? OK it can be somewhat twisted at times but, what they hey. If you can't laugh what's the point of being alive?
For the Ukrainian-impaired, they give the plotline in English before they start playing.
Enjoy!
They're playing a traditional Ukrainian folksong, Yikhaly Kozaky (Їхали Козаки), actually quite a gruesome and tragic tale played in a very upbeat polka style ... which is the norm for this song btw.
Well, who said Ukrainians don't have a sense of humour? OK it can be somewhat twisted at times but, what they hey. If you can't laugh what's the point of being alive?
For the Ukrainian-impaired, they give the plotline in English before they start playing.
Enjoy!
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Nash Holos podcast and audio archives updated for this week
For those who didn't catch the program when it aired on Sunday, visit the Nash Holos website for the podcast!
Here's what's on:
I'll be posting a few videos of these acts that I particularly like. Here's one by Mad Heads.
Enjoy!
Here's what's on:
- Meylakh Sheyket, of the Jewish Heritage Museum in Lviv, Ukraine, talks about he month of Elul on the Jewish calendar, and how it is observed by the Jewish community in Ukraine.
- Vasyl Pawlowsky presents another Kultural Capsule on the Montreal Ukrainian Festival which took place last weekend.
- Irena Bell, of the Ukrainian Hour Radio Program in Ottawa, profiles Martha Bielish, the first female Ukrainian Canadian senator
I'll be posting a few videos of these acts that I particularly like. Here's one by Mad Heads.
Enjoy!
Friday, September 03, 2010
Ukraine's Eurovision near-wins
On last Sunday's radio program (international edition) I played Ukraine's 2007 and 2008 entries. The latter was a request from a new listener in Japan, and I thought it would be fun to play them back to back. Both years, Ukraine came second in the Eurovision contest.
There was a very lively discussion on this blog back in 2008 about these artists and the direction Ukrainian music has been taking. You can check it out here, but in the meantime, here's the wild and crazy 2007 entry.
There was a very lively discussion on this blog back in 2008 about these artists and the direction Ukrainian music has been taking. You can check it out here, but in the meantime, here's the wild and crazy 2007 entry.
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