Local dance group joined by visiting Ukrainian singers at Northern Jubilee show

Dancers from Edmonton will take to the stage with singers from Ukraine at the Northern Jubilee Auditorium Friday. CTV News Edmonton's Connor Hogg reports.

A group of Edmonton dancers are preparing to put on an unforgettable show with some Ukrainian singers by their sides.

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Jared Bezovie is a dancer with the Vohon Ukrainian Dance Ensemble and says this one will be the biggest show yet, performing at the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium on Saturday.

“It’s just so much bigger than any stage we get to dance on normally that you can really just let yourself dance full out,” Bezovie told CTV News Edmonton.

“You’re running, you’re not holding back the whole time.”

Bezovie says the show named “Svitlo,” is rooted in Ukrainian folklore with themes around light and darkness.

“Some of the ladies get to dance while they’re singing in one of our new pieces and it’ll bring a tear to your eye, it’s so awesome,” he said.

Both groups have already performed in Grande Prairie, Calgary, Regina and Saskatoon. The dancers will be joined by eight singers from Ukraine’s Gerdan Theatre.

“We were so excited because this is a new experience for our group to sing and dance together,” said Anastasia Kostiuk, director of Gerdan Theatre.

Kostiuk says it’s a chance for Canadians to hear and and watch Ukrainian culture, especially those who left the country and are seeking connection.

While the group is sharing their culture, they’ve also learned more about themselves. Kostiuk says while being in Canada, the group has even learned some Ukrainian songs they forgot.

“Ukrainians in Canada saved the songs for us and I think we will bring them to Ukraine,” she said.

People can still purchase tickets online for the show at 7:30 p.m. on Friday.

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Connor Hogg