2023Performers

Verkhovyna School of Dance & Studia Shumka

Verkhovyna School of Dance

Named after the highlands in Ukraine, Verkhovyna School of Dance provides a platform for youth to express their culture, heritage and pride through dance. Our instructors have extensive experience and encourage students to strive for excellence while fostering a positive and enjoyable learning environment. 

Studia Shumka

In Fall of 2018, Shumka established a new program under the Shumka family, Studia Shumka. This junior performing ensemble acts as a bridging program between the Shumka School of Dance and the professional Shumka company. Many of the dancers are also Junior Instructors in the Shumka School of Dance.

These emerging young artists train over ten hours per week in Ukrainian, character, ballet and contemporary dance, and have built a repertoire for performances throughout the community. On occasion they train, rehearse and perform with the professional Shumka dance company, in anticipation of their evolution into the next step of the Shumka Family.

Sunday, January 22 • 1:00 pm • New Moon Pavilion (91 St & 118 Ave)

Renelle

Renelle

Renelle is a Franco-Albertan artist who has a background in Television, dance & music. This multi-disciplinary artist loves to share her life experiences and creativity through different art forms. Whether on stage, on screen or in her everyday life, Renelle always shares her joie de vivre with everyone.

Saturday, January 21 • 12:00 pm • The Northern Lights Igloo (93 St & 118 Ave)

Saturday, January 21 • 1:00 pm • The Nina Haggerty Gallery (9225 & 118 Ave)

Zachary Willier

Zachary Willier

Zachary Willier is a 17-year-old indigenous singer, songwriter and fiddler who is currently based out of Edmonton. He loves to bring back old songs as well as write his own songs for performing, to showcase his own unique style of singing and playing.

Saturday, January 21 • 2:00 pm • The Nina Haggerty Gallery (9225 & 118 Ave)

Saturday, January 21 • 3:00 pm • Kitchen Party • New Moon Pavilion (91 St & 118 Ave)

Sunday, January 22 • 2:45 pm • The Hearth (9210 & 118 Ave)

Sunday, January 22 • 3:00 pm • Kitchen Party • New Moon Pavilion (91 St & 118 Ave)

Sunday, January 22 • 4:45 pm • The Hearth (9210 & 118 Ave)

The St. Nicholas Mandolin Ensemble

The St. Nicholas Mandolin Ensemble

The St. Nicholas Mandolin Ensemble was formed in 1979 and have enthralled many audiences over the decades! They have produced 5 CDs, published a book of Ukrainian songs, and have performed widely in Edmonton and the surrounding area. The ensemble, though smaller in size now, still brings vibrant and joyous music to all audiences!

Sunday, January 22 • 1:00 pm • The Hearth (9210 & 118 Ave)

Marango Pie

Marango Pie

Marango Pie was formed as a trio in 2016 by Ernie Miciak, mandolin, Trevor Payne, guitar, and Bob Kochan, percussion, flutes, whistles. The Pigeon/Battle Lake area musicians added neighbor Linden Dahler on drums and Trevor’s son Mathew Payne on bass. With regular fiddler Rachel Melenka on sabbatical in Ireland the group will be joined by well known local world music fiddle favorite Cam Neufeld.

Saturday, January 21 • 3:00 pm • Kitchen Party • New Moon Pavilion (91 St & 118 Ave)

Sunday, January 22 • 5:15 pm • New Moon Pavilion (91 St & 118 Ave)

Sunday, January 22 • 2:00 pm • The Northern Lights Igloo (93 St & 118 Ave)

Sunday, January 22 • 3:00 pm • Kitchen Party • New Moon Pavilion (91 St & 118 Ave)

Edmonton School of Ukrainian Dance & Vohon Ukrainian Dance Ensemble

Edmonton School of Ukrainian Dance & Vohon Ukrainian Dance Ensemble

This year the Edmonton School of Ukrainian Dance is celebrating its 35th year, and over the years we have gained plenty of recognition for being a leader in bringing Ukrainian dance into the community. The Edmonton School of Ukrainian Dance has progressed in taking Ukrainian dance into the next millennium. The school consists of over 80 students, ranging in ages from 3, with our beginners’ class, to 65 years young with Vatra, our adult class. Under the direction of Ken Kachmar and instructors Trish Kushniruk, Debbie Kachmar Potter, Andrew Tyrkalo, Matthew Karpiak, Mikaila Petrov, Kennedy Kachmar, and Shaughnessy Potter we continue to specialize in Ballet, Character Dance and Ukrainian Folk Dance with a focus on child development. Children are taught systematically, following sequential instruction, and learning through fun and repetition.

Sunday, January 22 • 2:00 pm • New Moon Pavilion (91 St & 118 Ave)

Zorianka & Viter Ukrainian Dance Ensemble

Zorianka & Viter Ukrainian Dance Ensemble

Zorianka Ukrainian dancers has been around for over 40 years and continue to spread our Beautiful Ukrainian culture through dance and costume. Zorianka is a fun, family oriented group that loves to perform near and far. 

Viter Ukrainian Dancers and Folk Choir

“In its over twenty-five year history, Viter has aimed to infuse the folk art of traditional Ukrainian dance and song with modern themes, preserving Ukrainian cultural elements while introducing a contemporary flair.”

Sunday, January 22 • 12:15 pm • New Moon Pavilion (91 St & 118 Ave)

Calvin Vollrath

Calvin Vollrath

Canada's Fiddling Sensation, 2X Grand North American Fiddle Champion. North American Fiddler's Hall of Fame. Released 72 albums. Played on 100s of albums for other artists. Loves to play and entertain the folks of the world. 

Violoneux canadien sensationnel, 2X grand champion nord-américain de violon.  Temple de la renommée du violoniste nord-américain.  72 albums sortis.  Joué sur des centaines d'albums par d'autres artistes.  Aime jouer et divertir les gens du monde.

Saturday, January 21 • 1:00 pm • The Hearth (9210 & 118 Ave)

Saturday, January 21 • 3:00 pm • Kitchen Party •New Moon Pavilion (91 St & 118 Ave)

Saturday, January 21 • 5:00 pm • New Moon Pavilion (91 St & 118 Ave)

Sunday, January 22 • 2:00 pm • The Hearth (9210 & 118 Ave)

Sunday, January 22 • 3:00 pm • Kitchen Party •New Moon Pavilion (91 St & 118 Ave)

Sunday, January 22 • 4:00 pm • The Northern Lights Igloo (93 St & 118 Ave)

Zéphyr

Zéphyr

Founded in 2002, Zéphyr is the dance troupe of La Girandole. Specializing in French-Canadian dance, the school dance offers talented young people the opportunity to further develop their artistic potential by performing regularly on stage. 

La troupe de danse professionnelle de la Girandole, depuis 2002

Zéphyr est la troupe de danse de La Girandole. Elle offre la possibilité à des jeunes de talent de développer davantage leur potentiel artistique en se produisant régulièrement sur scène. 

Saturday, January 21 • 4:00 pm • New Moon Pavilion (91 St & 118 Ave)

Wajjo Drummers

Wajjo Drummers

WAJJO African Drummers performs throughout North America since 1990. Working with musicians from various ethnic backgrounds, they create a musical tradition that reflects the rich cultural diversity of Canada. They can also offer African and Canadian traditional song and Irish dance.

Les Tambours africains WAJJO se produisent partout en Amérique du Nord depuis 1990. Travaillant avec des musiciens de diverses origines ethniques, ils créent une tradition musicale qui reflète la riche diversité culturelle du Canada. Ils proposent également des chants traditionnels africains et canadiens ainsi que des danses irlandaises.

Saturday, January 21 • 1:15 pm • New Moon Pavilion (91 St & 118 Ave)

Jay Gilday

Jay Gilday

A vagabond turned mailman, Jay Gilday has searched for himself in the depths of Folk, blues, traditional, rock and most recently soul music. The quest continues as Jay takes his experiences as a half-Dene, half-Canadian Irish youth travelling the roads of Canada, the daily roller-coaster of work, family, and performance and weaves them into song. Jay’s live performance is executed with a trained voice and a passion to drive it backed up by a heavy-hitting guitar, finger-style or flat-picked, your choice!

Saturday & Sunday • 5:15 pm • Big Bear Yurt (92 St & 118 Ave)

Connie LeGrande

Connie LeGrande

Cikwes, Connie LeGrande is a nehiyaw soul singer and songwriter from Bigstone Cree Nation. She currently resides in Edmonton, Alberta, In 2019 her album ISKO was nominated for Best Folk Album at the Indigenous Music Awards. A graduate with her Master's in Music from York University in 2022, Connie's music explores her language and music methods that include chanting, also known as spirit markers or syllabics.

Saturday & Sunday • 4:25 pm • Big Bear Yurt (92 St & 118 Ave)

Rellik

Rellik

Rellik is an award-winning, nominated Alt-Country / Hip Hop fusion artist from Edmonton, Alberta. Male Artist of the Year at the 2022 Indigenous Superstars Awards and recipient of a 2022 Okimâw Award celebrating Indigenous men who contribute to their communities. His steadfast band Signal From Earth newest release, "This Town" is currently being played on radio stations across North America, Europe and the UK. Rellik is also a key member of the WIndspeaker Media team and on-air host of ‘The Tribe Drive’ at 89.3 The Raven in Edmonton.

Saturday & Sunday • 3:30 pm • Big Bear Yurt (92 St & 118 Ave)

Lakota Tootoosis

Lakota Tootoosis

Lakota Tootoosis is Plains Cree from the Poundmaker Cree Nation. He has been hoop dancing for over ten years; he’s performed in Taiwan, and Alaska and travels extensively throughout North America entertaining audiences at various venues. The hoop dance is a formation storytelling dance; you will see formations like the butterfly, eagle and the world to name a few. You can use your imagination to see a variety of images transform throughout his performance. 

Saturday, January 21 • 12:00 pm • The Hearth (9210 & 118 Ave)

Saturday & Sunday • 2:45 pm • Big Bear Yurt (92 St & 118 Ave)

Sunday, January 22 • 12:00 pm • The Hearth (9210 & 118 Ave)

Mary Stinchcombe

Mary Stinchcombe

Mary Stinchcombe is an upcoming Metis singer-songwriter based in Sherwood Park. Her notable performances were for the Premier of Alberta, the 93rd Metis Assembly and the 2020 Indspire Awards Show. She is known for singing songs from Broadway, classics, country jazz, blues, oldies and has had radio airtime in Canada and the US.

Saturday & Sunday • 12:20 pm • Big Bear Yurt (92 St & 118 Ave)

Alex Kusturok

Alex Kusturok

Alex (3rd Generation fiddle player) followed his mother Patti to Old time dances around Manitoba where he was enriched with the Métis fiddle from a very young age. By age 7, the passion for music became apparent and fiddle became the focus of Alex's life.

Saturday, January 21 • 5:00 pm • The Nina Haggerty Gallery (9225 & 118 Ave)

Sunday, January 22 • 5:00 pm • The Carrot Community Arts Coffeehouse (9351 – 118 Ave)