A Ukrainian dance troupe will perform at two South Okanagan locations during a 2024 Canadian tour.
Tryzub Ukrainian Dance Society is staging its 50th anniversary tour, with several performances slated for British Columbia and Alberta venues during the year.
On May 23, the Calgary-based dance troupe will perform at the Cleland Community Theatre in Penticton. On May 25, they’ll be at Venables Theatre in Oliver. These are the first two performances in their 16-city Canadian tour.
The performance, Dzvinka, is an original two-hour stage production.
It is the story of a Ukrainian folk hero, Oleksa Dovbush. The story of Dovbush has been compared to the Robin Hood story.
The dance troupe will tell the story through the eyes of Dzvinka, a female character.
The show features elaborate costumes created in Ukraine and original music which was composed and recorded in Ukraine.
The tour is working together with the Ukraine Nightingale Project to raise more than $150,000 to help Ukrainian newcomers in western Canada.
During the tour, the troupe will have sponsorship opportunities available.
Jennifer Martison, director of the Ukraine Nightingale Project, said people in Summerland have bought a sponsorship to bring some members of the dance troupe to the community’s Sunflower Cafe for an appearance on May 24.
Martison said the two Okanagan events in last year’s tour were both sold out.