Cabaret night raises spirits, and funds for cultural center (06/25/06)

Cabaret night raises spirits, and funds for cultural center

by Yarema Belej

WHIPPANY, N.J. - Laughter and checks abounded as more than 300 people attended the "Enchanted Evening" cabaret night on April 1 at the elegant Birchwood Manor, a fund-raising event for the Ukrainian American Cultural Center of New Jersey (UACCNJ).

Hailed as a rousing success by the organizers of the evening, known as the WOW Committee - for Women of Whippany - donations along with the proceeds of the car raffle and cabaret night were estimated at more than $155,000. This money will be a very valuable contribution to the effort being put forth to raise money for the project, which has already broken ground and erected a frame for the cultural center.

"It could not have turned out any better," said Michael Zawadiwsky, chair of the UACCNJ fund-raising committee. "We succeeded in rolling out our pledge and recognition program and it was a great initial response. The entertainment was fantastic. The players were great, everyone could relate to their jokes, from the camps and schools we attended throughout our lives."

The cabaret night began with a cocktail hour early in the evening, followed by a delicious dinner during which Mr. Zawadiwsky spoke about the efforts that were, and are being put forth to raise more money for the project. Also speaking during the dinner was Orest Kucyna, project construction chairman, who gave a presentation describing the physical progress of the project to date, complete with a slideshow.

Olya Fryz then regaled the audience with beautiful singing perfectly suited for a cabaret night. She was accompanied by the very talented pianist Andrij Stasiw.

Later on that night members of a Chicago-based comedy troupe named "Spalenyi Teatr" jumped, leaped and even danced all over that same stage, getting many laughs out of the audience. Their skits touched on many themes familiar to any Ukrainian who has grown up in the diaspora. From borsch to folk songs to misbehaving in Ukrainian school, the performers were masterful in shedding humor to very normal aspects of life.

"The visit was great," said the troupe's director, Oleh Kulas. "Everyone was very cordial and really took care of us during our entire stay. We all had a great time." Mr. Kulas not only directed the performance but was also a very active participant in the skits that pleased the crowd.

The comedy troupe is planning a local show for their Ukrainian community at the Ukrainian American Youth Association (SUM) branch in Chicago, probably in the fall, said Olena Drozd, one of the performers. She added that the group's next performance would comprise a few skits at a Chicago SUM concert, called "Selo Fest," on May 20."

This was the first full show that the troupe performed but there is hope, according to Mr. Kulas, that "New Jersey, as well as Selo Fest, will be the springboard for getting our name out there. And maybe you'll be seeing more of us within the Ukrainian diaspora."

The raffle of a new Lexus ES-330 during the "Enchanged Evening" was a very successful venture, raising over $25,000 for the UACCNJ following several months of ticket sales. The winner was a resident of Whippany, N.J.

All in all, the cabaret night was a very unique and successful method of combining entertainment with fund-raising. The Ukrainian American community of New Jersey is now a few steps closer to realizing its dream of a new cultural center, which is slated to open this fall.

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