Reception at UNA raises funds for 40th anniversary concert honoring Roma Pryma-Bohachevsky (05/30/04)

Reception at UNA raises funds for 40th anniversary concert honoring Roma Pryma-Bohachevsky

PARSIPPANY, N.J. - The Ukrainian National Association and the parents of dancers of the Iskra dance studio in Whippany, N.J., hosted a wine-and-cheese reception here at the UNA Corporate Headquarters building on Sunday, May 23, with the goal of raising funds for a gala celebration of the 40th anniversary of the work of Roma Pryma-Bohachevsky.

The internationally recognized dancer, choreographer, artistic director and dance instructor recently marked four decades of her creative work in the realm of ballet and Ukrainian folk dance. The anniversary is to be capped off with a special performance by all her students - members of various troupes in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut - at Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall in November.

UNA Treasurer Roma Lisovich welcomed guests to the reception. She was joined by parents of the Iskra dance ensemble's members, who belong to three different groups (organized by proficiency level and age).

Ms. Lisovich noted Ms. Pryma-Bohachevsky's unequaled contributions to Ukrainian culture through the preservation and development of dance, as well as her highly successful efforts to popularize Ukrainian dance to non-Ukrainian audiences in Europe and North America.

A film highlighting the life and work of Ms. Pryma-Bohachevsky was screened during the event, and archival materials were on display to supplement the presentation.

Many participants reminisced about experiences with "Pani Roma," as she is known by her students and supporters, and, indeed, the entire Ukrainian American community.

A raffle was organized to raise additional funds, with the prize being a beautiful headdress, a Ukrainian vinok, worn by dancers from the Poltava region of Ukraine. The winner of the raffle was Nadia Matkiwsky, whose children were and whose grandchildren are students of Ms. Pryma-Bohachevsky's dance studios.

In addition, many guests made donations beyond the $50 ticket price to the reception, and persons unable to attend the event forwarded their contributions.

Guests were somewhat worried that Ms. Pryma-Bohachevsky's daughter, Ania Lonkevych, who was scheduled to attend the reception, did not arrive.

As fate would have it, on the very day that supporters and fans of Ms. Pryma-Bohachevsky's work were gathering to pay tribute to her work and to raise funds for the jubilee concert, she passed away at the age of 77 after a bout with cancer. Reception participants, though aware that their beloved Pani Roma was seriously ill, would hear of her death later that day.

The show, however, will go on in November - as will Pani Roma's legacy.

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Donations in support of the 40th Anniversary Jubilee Concert of the Roma Pryma-Bohachevsky School of Ukrainian Dance are being accepted. Checks should be made payable to UCDA Inc. and mailed to UCDA, c/o Emilia Liteplo, 941 57th St., Brooklyn, NY 11219.

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