The Weyburn Concert Series has secured the highly acclaimed performance group, the Poltava Ensemble, to perform March 1 at 2:00 p.m. in the Cugnet Centre. The Poltava Ensemble of Song, Music and Dance is a 50 member group of Ukrainian dancers, musicians and singers.
The ensemble includes both men and women who have a very high level of technical training in Ukrainian dance, as well as other dance genres such as classical and folk. The ensemble's roots in Saskatchewan began in 1922 with the formation of a children's string orchestra. It has grown notably over the years to now include dancers, singers and musicians.
The ensembles' home base is in Regina, however, they have travelled the world performing at such venues as Drummondville World Festival and Walt Disney World (Florida). They have also taken three international trips to the Ukraine and the famous Folklore Festival in Yalta on the Black Sea.
Performers in the ensemble are able to partake in such festivals after years of training at the Poltava School of Performing Arts in Regina. Students can begin training at the young age of three. Dancers complete seven levels of training before becoming part of the ensemble.
The current ensemble features dancers ranging in age from 15 to 30, while orchestra members range in age from 18 to 80. The ensemble would typically practice at least three times a week, but with a show on the horizon members are spending as many as five nights a week polishing their act.
Attendees are sure to enjoy an afternoon of entertainment by such a critically acclaimed and well travelled ensemble. The ensemble will bring life to the rich heritage of Ukrainian folk music. The orchestra is comprised of strings, winds, brass, keyboard and percussion.
The most unique aspect of this particular ensemble is that all the music performed is live entertainment. It can be noted that the Poltava Ensemble is the only group of its' kind that uses live music for the entirety of the show. There is no other group in Saskatchewan like this, and very few in Canada.
The ensemble has a valued reputation of not only displaying the best of Ukrainian culture, but also incorporating the traditions of those who border with Ukraine such as Russia and Moldova. The afternoon promises to be a multicultural event that celebrates the beauty of the human spirit.
Advance tickets for the performance are available at Superior Office Products or by visiting www.ticketpro.ca. Tickets will also be available at the door.
To round out the cultural experience of the day, the Rotary Club of Weyburn has teamed up with the Weyburn Ukrainian volunteer group to offer their famous Ukrainian meal prior to the concert. The meal will be served between 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. at the Cugnet Centre. Tickets for the meal are also available at Superior Office Products. The meal is not included in the price of the concert ticket.
