Northrop Dance Presents Virsky Ukrainian National Dance Co 10/11

Northrop Dance at the University of Minnesota presents the Virsky Ukrainian National Dance Company on October 11 at 4 pm, rounding out the U of M Homecoming week. Named after and founded by national icon Pavlo Virsky, the troupe takes pride in their homeland, embracing the beauty of its native country through folkloric tradition, humor, and optimism. From the Carpathian Hills to the cosmopolitan city of Kiev, Ukraine is a bastion of folklore, popular dance and music, and remains one of the last strongholds of traditional culture in all of Eastern Europe.

The program includes a vivacious gypsy dance, lyrical dances portraying young love, a traditional number with bread and salt as a symbol of the earnestness and compassion of the Ukrainian people, and a light-hearted, playful Cossak dance called Povzunets showcasing technical mastery and impressive ability. Using elevated passion and romance, each performance portrays vivid colors, acrobatic athleticism, and exuberant speed exemplifying the quintessential world of Ukraine.

The history of the ensemble goes back to 1937 when Pavlo Virsky and Mykola Bolotov, well-known Ukranian ballet-masters, brought together a group of folk dancers. Virsky trained as a ballet dancer, but found his passion in folk dancing, which he believed represented a nation's heart and heritage. In 1940, the dance company was named Ukraine's Song and Dance Company, which was later changed to today's Virsky Ukrainian National Dance Company in order to include his name. From 1955 to 1975, Virsky headed the ensemble, and it was under his guidance that the ensemble matured into a highly professional dance company whose art has continuously impressed countless reviewers and the general public around the world. Proceeding from the folk traditions, Virsky created several artistic choreographic compositions that are still performed today by his company.
Myroslav Vantukh | Artistic Director

Myroslav Vantukh, a Virsky disciple and great expert in folk traditions and ethnography, has been in charge of the ensemble since 1980. His objectives as artistic director are the careful preservation and development of folk choreographic art. Vantukh himself has created The Carparthians, Tambourine Dance, The Young Years, In Peace and Harmony, and the Russian Suite as part of the company's repertoire. First class performances and expressiveness of the dancers, exquisite moves and the bright palette of costumes, the wealth of tunes and completeness of the choreographic plot are among characteristic features of the new numbers. Vantukh has also continued the two year choreographic training school founded by Virsky, which since 1992 was revamped as a choreographic school for children called The Ballet School of the Ukrainian National Dance Company.

The ensemble has toured many different lands far from its native Ukraine. Among the extensive list of countries toured are Austria, England, Argentina, Bulgaria, Brazil, Belgium, Venezuela, Greece, Ecuador, Italy, India, Spain, Canada, Columbia, China, Cuba, Korea, Mexico, Mongolia, Germany, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovak Republic, the United States of America, Hungary, France, Czech Republic, Chile, and Switzerland.

Pavlo Virsky | Co-Founder, past Artistic Director

From 1955 to 1975, Pavlo Virsky headed the ensemble, and his outstanding talent was magnificently implemented in the performances of the company. It was under his guidance that the ensemble matured into a highly professional dance company whose art has won the hearts of countless reviewers and the general public around the world.

Proceeding from the folk traditions, Pavlo Virsky created such artistic choreographic compositions as We're from Ukraine, The Sailors, The Dolls, We Remember, and The Funny Zaporizhia Cossack Dance Povzunets. Full of soft humor are The Stepp Wagoner's Delight and Under the Cherry Tree while A Girl from Podillya is soft and romantic, and The Weeping Willow is even sad.

Individual tickets ($10-$55) and Northrop Dance Season tickets ($40 - $402) are on sale at northrop.umn.edu or through the Northrop Ticket Office at 612-624-2345, or room 105 Northrop, 84 Church Street SE, Minneapolis. Virsky Ukrainian National Dance Company is the first event in Northrop's inaugural Family Dance Series ($89 - $173) with family-friendly programming and times. Ask for available discounts. Visit northrop.umn.edu for more information.

Special support given by Tapestry Folkdance Center, Ethnic Dance Theatre, and the Ukrainian Event Center.

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