After two years of plying their trade in the shadows of the pandemic, Zirka Ukrainian Dance Ensemble is ready to once again perform and shed a little light on a dark time in the world.

And, considering the war in Ukraine, the group is using its recital, which is normally held for Zirka families, as an opportunity to bring the entire community together at a zabava to benefit Ukraine.

Zirka committee member Rachel Jensen said many people in the Parkland have strong ties to Ukraine.

“We just felt we needed to do something, especially after two years of not being able to do anything, no Ukrainian festival, no nothing. So with restrictions lifting we said, ‘let’s do our part’,” she said, adding all proceeds from the event will be donated to humanitarian relief in Ukraine

“It’s not about Zirka or anything, it’s about the Ukrainian community and putting our culture out there and doing our part for the humanitarian efforts in Ukraine.”

The recital and zabava, which will mark the 50th anniversary of the ensemble, are set for April 30 at the Selo Ukraina Hall with the recital starting at 3 p.m.

The recital will feature some special guests, Jensen said.

“We’ve invited to be guest performers the D-Town Steppers, the Métis group. And the reason for that is we have a partnership with the Northwest Métis Council as we practice at their facility,” she said.

“We’ve been trying to figure out ways that we can share each other’s culture, so this is a great way to showcase that we have a peaceful, a very respectful partnership with each other.”

Following the recital, cocktails will be held somewhere around 5 p.m. or 5:30 p.m.. followed by dinner and a special presentation.

'Danny and Patti Zabiaka are instructors that have been with our group for over 25 years of those 50 years. They have been there for decades. So there’s going to be a special presentation for them because they’re moving on to the next stage of their lives out to Alberta.” Jensen said.

“A special thank you for all their dedication to the group.”

Then comes the zabava featuring the live music of Sloohai.

Originally planned as a smaller event for the Zirka family at the Métis Community Centre where the group practices, as the idea evolved it became necessary to find a larger venue.

“As the idea built we thought let’s bring in a live band, let’s have a bar. Let’s have a good old-fashioned zabava, door prizes and a raffle and a late lunch, all that stuff,” Jensen said, adding the decision was made to move the event to the Selo Hall. “It’s the biggest facility around. It’s also supporting that venue, as well, which also is very tied to Ukrainian heritage and culture and history. It’s a great venue, you can camp there, there’s a lot of good things about that place. It’s a good move for us.”

Tickets for the event are $65 each, while those five and under will be admitted free of charge. Jensen said while the group normally tries to make its events a little more affordable for families, the circumstances dictate a bump in prices.

“We are trying to raise some funds to send over to Ukraine. We stepped it up a notch for this one. But if you think about what you’re getting, you’re getting a lot for that. A full night of dancing at the zabava, the late lunch, the full dinner and that little extra is helping Ukraine,” she said. “The $65 ticket gets you in for the whole thing, all the way from the recital to the end. But then we’re also doing a $35 ticket which is just for the zabava only, if people just want to come for that part just to enjoy the evening and the music.”

A sellout would mean the group could send as much as $4,000 to Ukraine, Jensen said, more if sponsors can be found to help cover some of the costs.

But no matter the final dollar amount raised, simply holding the event is important, Jensen said.

“You can raise money, yes, but you know it’s also important to be positive and to celebrate. There’s a Ukrainian song out there and the way part of the song goes is Ukraine is in deep sorrow, but stand up, wave the flag and rejoice, because we will be okay,” she said. “We have so much here in Canada. As people we’re so lucky, you know, we need to do this for our family in Ukraine. So we’re hoping that we get good support from the community, so that we can send those proceeds over.”