Cabaret Night to benefit Ukrainian American Cultural Center of New Jersey (03/12/06)

Cabaret Night to benefit Ukrainian American Cultural Center of New Jersey

by Yarema Belej

WHIPPANY, N.J. - While contractors bulldoze and labor to construct the foundation of the Ukrainian American Cultural Center of New Jersey (UACCNJ), the growing Ukrainian community in New Jersey and the surrounding area rallies around the project.

"We are starting to see a lot more participation in the project," said Michael Zawadiwsky, fund-raising chairman for the UACCNJ, "people are coming up to me and asking how they can help."

Interesting methods are being utilized in attempts to raise money and support for the vital project, including the raffling off of a brand new Lexus ES-330, and a Cabaret Night that will include comedy and music.

"We are looking to spur enthusiasm for the project," said Chris Bilanycz, chairperson of the Cabaret Night, "plus, everyone needs a good laugh."

Coinciding with the raffle drawing on April 1 will be a Cabaret Night called "Enchanted Evening," highlighted by a performance of the Chicago comedy troupe "Spalenyi Teatr," and a musical performance by vocalist Olya Fryz accompanied by Andrij Stasiw.

Spalenyi Teatr is a group of nine Ukrainian Americans from the Ukrainian American Youth Association (SUM) in Chicago. Their performance pokes fun at the experiences of growing up as Ukrainian Americans. This comedy troupe has taken over the legacy left behind by the group that had existed early in the 1990s under the same name.

The new incarnation of the comedy troupe came in 2005, filling a void that had been felt for more than a dozen years. The group performs under the direction of Oleh Kulas, a graduate from the Second City Training Center in Chicago.

"The comedy resonates with many Ukrainian Americans," said Mr. Kulas, "it is a blend of acts and improvisation that involves the audience."

Performing mainly in the Chicagoland area, this upcoming performance is the troupe's first foray to the East Coast. "We are very excited to be coming out to the East Coast," said Mr. Kulas. (Look ahead to future performances of Spalenyi Teatr on May 20 in Chicago, and in Wisconsin at a date that will be announced in the future.)

Ms. Fryz is an accomplished singer and musician who has recorded four albums during her career. With a love of Ukrainian music that has spanned the scope of original, folk and children's songs, Ms. Fryz's albums can be found in many Ukrainian homes.

"We used to do a lot of these Cabaret performances," said Ms. Fryz, "but recently I have been promoting my CD for children, so it will be nice to perform some fun and more adult songs." She added, "I am really happy to see all the Ukrainian organizations working together on this project, it's inspiring."

Performing with her during the Cabaret Night will be Mr. Stasiw, a professional accompanist, who also is the musical director and conductor of Prolisok, a girls' choir of the Ukrainian American Youth Association in New York and Yonkers, N.Y. He has several recordings with contemporary and opera artists, including "Olya," "Darka and Slavko" and "Ika."

Those feeling lucky have a chance to win a luxury automobile for only $20 a ticket. The Lexus ES-330 is a beautiful car that was provided by Warnock Lexus located on Route 10 in Livingston, N.J. The number of raffle tickets is limited to 3,500, thus giving ticket buyers better odds to win.

The sparkling new car can be seen in the parking lot of St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church on the corner of Route 10 and Jefferson Road in Whippany, N.J. It has graced the intersection for a few weeks under a protective tent (when the weather is cooperative).

The Cabaret Night committee and the members of the UACCNJ committee encourage everyone to come and support a project that is vital to the preservation and betterment of the Ukrainian American community in New Jersey.

To obtain tickets for the raffle or the Cabaret Night, please visit the website of the Ukrainian American Cultural Center of New Jersey, http://uaccnj.org, or call Chris Bilanycz, 973-285-5006.

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