Although many people have already kicked off the new year, Westlock’s Ukrainian community is holding off until Jan.14 for its Malanka celebration.
Charmaine Babiak, president of the Westlock Ukrainian Dance Society said the celebration of Ukrainian new year is similar to that of the traditional new year, adding it provides entertainment for all ages
“It’s just good food and good fun,” she said.
The event kicks off at the Westlock Community Hall at 5:30 p.m. with cocktails, followed by a Ukrainian dinner. After dinner, there will be a performance by The Westlock Ukrainian Dancers, which comprises between 35 and 40 talented individuals.
“We’ve got dancers from age four to 75,” Babiak said. “It’s quite a diverse group.”
There will silent auction and dance to follow, with the band The Cimmarons providing entertainment.
“They’re an older Ukrainian band. They play lots of good polkas and stuff,” Babiak said.
New this year is a 50/50 draw that aims to raise funds so the society can purchase new equipment and costumes for the dancers.
Babiak said the society was on hiatus for a few years and has been back up and running for the last five years. They hope to get bigger and better heading into the future.
“We’re working to buy equipment and hopefully get some mirrors and more costuming and stuff like that,” she said, adding the society also hopes to gain exposure through events like this.
Malanka is the Ukrainian new year and is celebrated in mid-January, aligning with the Julian calendar, which is about two weeks behind the now-used Gregorian calendar.
The society expects to see 450 people in attendance and by the end of last week, they had already sold 350 tickets.
Tickets are available from Fountain Tire or by calling Babiak at 780-349-4759. Tickets cost $30 for those 12 and up, $20 for those between five and 11 years old, with those aged four and under getting in for free.
