SUMMER CHRONICLE (08/16/98)

SUMMER CHRONICLE

Dance Camp concludes with performance

by Ivan Durbak

GLEN SPEY, N.Y. - Each year at this time an amazing artistic event takes place at Verkhovyna: a large group of young people gather at the Ukrainian Fraternal Association's Resort and Youth Center at Glen Spey to learn and practice dance under the renowned Roma Pryma Bohachevsky. This group then puts on a marvelous program that is actually created and choreographed during the two-week camp.

The 24th annual Ukrainian Dance Camp was held on July 26 to August 8; the camp included 78 young campers, 13 counselors, and four staffers. For two weeks the campers worked hard, from morning to night, often 10 to 13 hours a day, to learn the basics and to perfect their dance movements.

During these same two weeks, Ms. Bohachevsky and her assistants, Kristine Izak, Andrij Cybyk and Boris Bohachevsky, took a story based on "The Frog Princess," created a choreography script and music score with the assistance of Ada Helbig, built stage sets and scenery props, and coordinated a colorful and exotic set of costumes to provide a truly lavish show with all the campers and instructors taking part.

The show, narrated by Stefania Bukschowany, played on the big outdoor stage at Verkhovyna on the last day of camp, Saturday August 8; the story involved a king and his three sons searching for their princesses, and included a frog, evil spells, a beautiful princess and the wicked witch Baba Yaga. In the end, goodness triumphs, the evil witch is destroyed, and everybody celebrates happily. The dance selections alternated between lyrical romantic ballets and lively exuberant numbers from the Zakarpattia, Bukovyna and Hutsulschyna regions of Ukraine.

The intricate dance routines, with all the campers and instructors taking part - more than 90 dancers in all - as well as the elaborate sets and costumes, and a lively and well-balanced music score, enthralled a very appreciative audience that frequently interrupted the performance with enthusiastic applause.

The entire two-week camp was very successful, according to camp director Mira Hankewycz, with the campers and instructors at the end tired but satisfied and a little sad at having to say good-bye to their friends and comrades: a happy ending, just like in "The Frog Princess."

A similar performance is scheduled for Soyuzivka on August 22 at the conclusion of the dance camp at the Ukrainian National Association's resort.

Verkhovyna hosts annual Youth Festival

GLEN SPEY, N.Y. - Travelers from near and far arrived here on July 17-19 for the annual Ukrainian Youth Festival at Verkhovyna, the resort of the Ukrainian Fraternal Association.

Ulana Kekish-Solodenko was the mistress of ceremonies for the three-day event, which spotlighted Ukrainian performers from the United States, Canada and Ukraine. Among the festival highlights was the appearance of the Verkhovyna Dance Workshop, composed of young dancers from across North America who - after only three weeks of joint rehearsals under the direction of Roma Pryma Bohachevsky - presented a program of diverse numbers from various regions of Ukraine.

Also on the festival bill were: the Lviviany Folk Ensemble, Liubystok Duo, Mykola and Luba, Irchyk of Lviv, Taras Petrynenko of Kyiv and the Desna Dance Ensemble.

The Troisti Muzyky, three graduates of state conservatories in Ukraine conveyed the haunting quality of music from the Carpathian Mountains. Though they used traditional musical instruments, their innovative arrangements gave a new dimension to the folk music being performed.

Music for visitors' dancing pleasure was provided by Vidlunnia, Fata Morgana, and the Mykola and Luba ensemble.

In addition to music and dance, the festival offered booths with arts and crafts, Ukrainian music, books and educational materials.

The festival was opened on July 17 by the president of the UFA, John Oleksyn, who welcomed the audience and performers, and thanked Western Union and various individuals for their support of the Ukrainian Youth Festival.

Preschoolers' camp concludes second week at resort in Catskills

KERHONKSON, N.Y. - Plast's camp for preschoolers, "Tabir Ptashat," held annually at Soyuzivka in two tours, concluded its second week of activity on July 12.

Camp director Motria Bojko Watters, assisted by 19 parent volunteers who served as counselors, conducted the program geared for children age 4-6, which prepares them for membership in the Plast Ukrainian Youth Organization.

The 55 campers were divided into eight troops for activities ranging from nature walks to games, arts and crafts, singing, puppet theater and a mini-Olympiad. The children also prepared a camp flag that will travel to Stryi, Ukraine, where the "Burlaky" fraternity of Plast conducts a similar "Tabir Ptashat."

The week at the Ukrainian National Association's resort in the Catskills concluded with a special program at which Ms. Watters thanked all the parents and others for their cooperation.

UNA Advisor Stephanie Hawryluk spoke at the program, expressing thanks to the camp leadership and noting that this was the 10th anniversary of the preschoolers' camp. She also presented gifts to all the children, a bouquet of flowers and a donation for the camp's needs to Neonila Sochan, the camp's founder and organizer, and a plaque to Plast's "Pershi Stezhi" sorority for their initiative in organizing the camps since 1988.

The first week of "Tabir Ptashat" took place at Soyuzivka on June 28 through July 5. Forty-seven children enjoyed camp activities directed by Marusia Borkowsky and a staff of 18 dedicated parents.

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