Gimli Barvinok Ukrainian dancers performed for residents in Betel Home last week, bringing smiles to every face in the room.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Gimli Barvinok dancers performed at Betel Home annually. Though club president Chelsey McColl reached out to them to come back last year, they still weren’t having large groups come in. This year, though, Betel Home volunteer Pat Nuspl reached out to McColl about bringing the dance club back, and she was eager to say yes.
“It only seemed right to go back,” said McColl. “Their faces light up when [the dancers] go on stage. They clap, they yell; it’s really nice to see.”
On May 1, four of five Gimli Barvinok dance groups filled Betel Home, dressed in traditional outfits of various colours. The Beginner 1 and Beginner 2 groups each performed a Poltava, while Intermediate 1 performed a Hutsul and Intermediate 2 performed a Bukovyna. Each group did well, said McColl, and the Betel Home residents enjoyed every step.
“I think this is particularly enjoyable for them because of the kids,” said Nuspl. “You can just see it all over their faces, lit with million-dollar smiles.”
Gimli Barvinok performs at Betel Home as the finale to their season. The group starts dancing in September, has their Malanka in February, and ends in April with their spring concert. Because they practice until the spring show, Gimli Barvinok performs for Betel Home right after that to ensure they’re in their best form for the residents.
Nuspl said numerous residents had family members or people they knew performing in the group. Resident Lucy Marks saw her granddaughter and great-niece dance that evening and was beyond proud of them.
“The kids come and they’re a breath of energy,” said Nuspl. “I think it’s a really, really good connection when the children have a connection to the care homes. It’s good for both sides.”
Gimli Barvinok has 32 dancers this year, plus three adult dancers who couldn’t make the performance at Betel Home. All groups perform at the club’s Malanka and spring concert. The Beginner 1, Beginner 2, Intermediate 1, and Intermediate 2 groups performed at Manitoba’s Ukrainian Dance Festival, with one group receiving gold for participation and the others all receiving silver. Both intermediate groups also performed at the Troyanda festival in Brandon, where Intermediate 1 received gold and silver and Intermediate 2 silver.
McColl said the group hopes to perform at Betel Home again next year. This Saturday, Betel Home is holding a bake sale and bazaar fundraiser to raise funds for the Handi Van, courtyard, and maintenance.
