Vrozhay dance club prepares for annual celebration

While most have already taken down their Christmas trees, Westlock's Vrozhay Ukrainian Dance Club is ready for it annual Malanka! Orthodox New Year's celebration at the Westlock and District Community Hall Jan. 13.

Already sold out, the event seats at least 352 guests, includes a traditional Ukrainian buffet and 30-minute performance by the Vrozhay Dancers alongside their affiliate studio, the Cheremosh School of Dance society in Edmonton.

'All the proceeds go back into our dance society to cover expenses like new costumes, our instructor and the rent for our building" said Vrozhay president Charmaine Babiak.

'I believe Cheremosh is going to do three numbers and we're going to be doing quite a few."

The winter celebration marks the start of a busy season for the club, which has been fundraising with sausage and cash calendars sales, in addition to the funds collected through Malanka!

While the club was in a tight spot in September with dwindling enrolment, Babiak said that's completely turned around with the addition of eight new dancers ages three to five.

Babiak noted it was better to get new dancers when they're young.

'Our numbers have gone up a little bit, we haven't had the younger groups in the last couple years and that's the age-group we need to be able to keep going," she said.

'A lot of our dancers are turning 15-16 and are starting to look to join the Cheremosh junior group in Edmonton."

After the show, the dancers are preparing for their spring competition season.

They will be heading to Grande Prairie for a first-time appearance at the Vitaemo Festival March 24 before heading to the Athabasca Landing Ukrainian Dance Festival in April. Their spring dance season ends with the Cheremosh Dance Festival in St. Albert May 9-13.

Also on the agenda is Vrozhay's annual spring concert May 6. Tickets for that should be on sale in March and will cost $5.