Syzokryli, Cheres to perform at New York's Town Hall (01/19/03)

Syzokryli, Cheres to perform at New York's Town Hall

NEW YORK - The Town Hall kicks off its Music and Dance Fest with the Syzokryli Ukrainian Dance Ensemble on Friday, January 31, at 8 p.m. The troupe will be joined by the Cheres Ukrainian Folk Ensemble.

Syzokryli offer insight into the Ukrainian culture through their spell-binding steps and stirring music. Audiences at Syzokryli performances discover indigenous music, learn the meanings of songs passed down through generations, understand ethnic rituals and life celebrations, and watch how a dance tells a story.

Under the artistic direction of Roma Pryma-Bohachevsky, Syzokryli will mesmerize the audience with the energy and vitality of Ukrainian dance, from acrobatic numbers such as the Hopak - called the most exciting folk dance in the world - to lyrical balletic interpretations such as "Fight for Freedom," commemorating the Chornobyl nuclear disaster.

The Syzokryli Dance Ensemble was founded in 1978 by artistic director and choreographer Roma Pryma-Bohachevsky. Since then, the troupe's goal has been to preserve, and promote Ukrainian culture, and to captivate audiences with its dynamic dance technique. Based in New York City the ensemble consists of passionate dancers, many of whom have been dancing since they were small children. The ensemble's rich repertoire encompasses Ms. Bohachevsky's beautifully choreographed regional folk dances, her interpretive ballets and character dances - many drawing on the history of Ukraine.

Syzokryli have performed extensively over the years throughout the US including Lincoln Center, Madison Square Garden and the Brooklyn Academy of Music. In 1992 Syzokryli concluded a highly successful tour of Ukraine, appearing in opera houses in Kyiv, Lviv, Kharkiv and Ivano-Frankivsk.

The acclaimed Cheres Ukrainian Folk Ensemble will present the best mountain music from Eastern Europe available live today in New York City, allowing the audience to experience rousing centuries-old folk hits. Cheres' musical arsenal is purely acoustic, including a wide array of pipes, clarinet, violin, cymbals, double bass and more.

Led by music director Andriy Milavsky, these virtuosos weave breathtaking instrumentals and spirited songs from Ukraine and its neighboring Carpathian countries such as Romania, Hungary and Moldova.

Tickets for the show are $35 and $30; they may be purchased at The Town Hall Box Office, 123 W. 43rd St., (212) 840-2824. For more information log on to http://www.the-townhall-nyc.org. Tickets are available also through TicketMaster (212) 307-4100.

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