A taste of the old country

Chris Clegg
South Peace News

The 2009 Malanka was held Jan. 17 to a packed house at the Elks Hall on the Stampede Grounds. After a delicious meal, High Prairie’s own Zirka Dancers and Vohon, a professional dance group from Edmonton, performed to the delight of several hundred in attendance. This year’s Zirkas are probably the youngest in its long and proud history but that didn’t stop them from providing non-stop entertainment for all. The character sketches were particularly enjoyed because it brought a little humour to the show. When Vohon took to the stage, however, they brought incredible energy to the hall. It wasn’t long before the audience was clapping and stomping their feet to the music. High Prairie’s own Zirka Ladies were not to be outdone as they proved there was plenty of local talent during their performance.

In past years the High Prairie Zirka Dancers suffered from lack of boys. This year was the exception as eight boys and 14 girls comprised the club. Above, Samuel Basarab struts his stuff during a Beginner 2 Group dance.

The costumes worn by the dancers are always colourful and eye-catching. Georgia Boechers, left, and Desire Bissell show how colourful the traditional costumes are during their Beginner 2 dance.

Rabbit ears and all, the bunnies are trying to wake their mother during the Beginner 2 dance. Lying down is instructor Diana Bissell. Dancers, left-right, are Finn Marko, Brielle Kit, Kirsten Bruder and Elizabeth Romick.

Senior dancer Adria Cisaroski, above, performed a solo with Sharlie Zabolotniuk. They were the two oldest dancers in the club this year.

Sharlie Zabolotniuk performed a popular Poltava solo as one of only two senior dancers in the club this year. Zabolotniuk and Adria Cisaroski helped instruct the younger dancers all year.

The Railroad Character Dance performed by the Zirka Juniors was one of the most popular dances at Malanka. Above, Cohen Lussier, left, admonishes Deklan Kit for his shoddy railroad work.

Vohon from Edmonton entertained the audience with several dances. The profession dance group has travelled throughout the world performing.

Two of the female dancers in the Zirka Juniors are shown above including Kelsi Smith, left, and Samara Giroux-Snelling. The girls brought picnic baskets which quickly drew the attention of the hungry railroad workers. Of course, the girls relented and fed the hungry workers.

Zirka is fortunate to have a group of 10 ladies who continue the tradition of dancing. In their character sketch, the ladies had trouble deciding whose bra got into the wrong laundry basket. Left-right are Lindsey Coade, Patti Lanigan, Lori Zabolotniuk and Kristy Boechers.

The Vohon ladies were not to be outdone by the men and their high-flying acrobats. They brought grace and beauty to the show in their dazzling costumes and precision dance footwork.

Not to be outdone by the Vohon ladies, the Zirka Ladies proved practice makes perfect as they added their grace and beauty to the show. Left-right are Kirsten Friesen-Dupres and Patti Lanigan.

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