San Diego House of Ukraine festival draws guests from near and far
by Vera Skop
SAN DIEGO - The 31st annual Ukrainian Festival in San Diego was held over Labor Day weekend.
As in past years, the festival kicked off with a bonfire at San Diego's popular Mission Beach, where the event organizers welcomed the Volya Ukrainian Dance Ensemble and Yuna Volya from Edmonton, Alberta, and out-of-town guests from northern California, the Los Angeles area, Arizona, and even New Jersey.
On Saturday night, September 2, Volya and Volya's younger dancers, Yuna Volya, presented an original and spirited dance concert at the Kroc Performing Arts Center. The choreography, costumes and professionalism of this group had the audience captivated throughout the performance.
The annual lawn program was presented on Sunday afternoon, September 3, at the outdoor stage of the House of Pacific Relations in Balboa Park, where the House of Ukraine is one of 30 nationalities represented. Each has its own cottage that displays information about its culture and history.
The Ukrainian program historically draws a huge crowd, and the audience loved the Volya Ensemble, as well as local bandurist Andrij Kytasty.
The festival culminated in a banquet/zabava. The musical group Lviv Myzyky from Sacramento entertained guests at a new venue for the festival, the Handlery Hotel. The high point of the evening was the 45-minute-long "Kolomyika," where Volya members along with guests showed off their dancing talents.
A long-time House of Ukraine member, Mr. Kytasty, was presented with an Award of Excellence for his dedication, hard work and creativity in enhancing the Balboa Park cottage.
The 2006 festival committee members were Katya Priestley, Natalie Gebet, Daria Nelson, Therese Waldman, Laura Nelson and Vera Skop.
Vera Skop, is president of the House of Ukraine.
Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, November 12, 2006, No. 46, Vol. LXXIV
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