TORONTO – Ukraine’s rockabilly group Ot Vinta, Edmonton’s Volya Ukrainian Dance Ensemble and Detroit’s Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus will headline a line-up of international performers at the 2015 Bloor West Village Toronto Ukrainian Festival running from September 18 to 20.
Ot Vinta, the four-member Ukrainian rockabilly group from Rivne, brings its energetic, irreverent, upbeat music and antics to the festival on Saturday, September 19. Its vibrant mix of guitar, banjo, harmonica, goat-bass, flute, ukulele, percussion and vocals make for a hand-clapping, foot-stomping good time. The group (http://www.ot-vinta.com/) is sponsored by Ukrainian Credit Union Limited.
“They might sing in Ukrainian but everyone understands the infectious sound of rockabilly music,” said Jurij Klufas, chair of the festival. “If you’re looking for an original, high-energy band and a reason to dance in the street, this is it.”
The high-energy action continues with the international-touring Volya Ukrainian Dance Ensemble from Alberta. This Edmonton-based group has been captivating crowds for more than 25 years with its acrobatic dance steps, colorful costumes and mesmerizing choreography (www.volya.ca).
The Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus from Detroit.
Festival-goers will also enjoy the rich, melodic sounds of the Detroit-based Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus. Uniquely combining Ukrainian bandura and choral music, the chorus has captivated audiences for generations in concert halls across the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia and Ukraine (http://bandura.org).
The Northland Power Festival Stage and the Runnymede Community Stage will also feature non-stop entertainment by an array of dancers and musicians from the Greater Toronto area, courtesy of a grant from the Department of Canadian Heritage. The complete 2015 entertainment line-up can be found at: ukrainianfestival.com/performer_bio_2015.htm.
Documentary, animation, feature, short, modern, traditional – there’s a movie style to suit almost every taste at the festival’s annual Film Day on Saturday, September 19.
Featured this year, along with talks from their directors and a live performance, are documentaries “Pride of Ukraine: A Documentary of Hope and Inspiration” and “Music of Survival: The Story of the Ukrainian Bandurist Chorus,” as well as animated-short “My Baba’s Kitchen.” Also screening will be a rarely seen, full-length feature film from 1938 and a variety of films of diverse lengths and genres.
Film Day is being held at the Runnymede Branch of the Toronto Public Library, 2178 Bloor St. W., at 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Admission is free.
The 19th annual BWV Toronto Ukrainian Festival takes place on Bloor Street West between Runnymede Road and Jane Street. The annual event attracts more than 620,000 visitors and also features popular Ukrainian foods, a beverage garden, street parade, film festival, art exhibit, youth program, arts and crafts, vendor market, sidewalk sale and cultural exhibits. Admission is free (www.ukrainianfestival.com).
Ot Vinta from Rivne, Ukraine.