Ballet Theatre of Maryland Mixed Repertoire Benefit Concert for the Carole Casio Fund at the Mark Cascia Vineyards

I am grateful to the Ballet Theatre of Maryland for the opportunity to stage three pieces as a Tribute, celebrating the legacy of renown Ukrainian Folk Stage Dance Pioneer and Choreographic Artist, Pavlo Virsky, their Mixed Repertoire Benefit Concert for the Carole Cascio Fund, on Sunday October 5,  at Mark Casia Vineyards in Stevensville, MD.

It was the work of Pavlo Virsky himself that was my both my Introduction and Inspiration to Dance.  When I was 2 years old, my grandfather shared with me a video of Virsky’s esteemed Dance Company and I was utterly captivated. I recall thinking that I was being given a glimpse into Heaven and that the Dancers were Angels.

I will be staging: WE ARE FROM UKRAINE (Ми з України) - a colorful, a multi-regional welcome dance, featuring various Ukrainian regional dance styles and costumes, culminating in the presentation of Bread and Salt, an expression of Hospitality, Goodwill and Friendship dating back to ancient times. In this staging, I have scaled it for a smaller ensemble.

PLESKACH (Плескач) - the title of this dance, “Pleskach,” is derived from the verb “pleskaty” which means “to clap.”  This dance depicts a group of village maidens who enjoy a delightful game of “paddy-cake.” True to Virsky’s unique choreographic style, he imbues his female dancers’ movement with quickness and lyricism, always emanating an impression of graciousness and open heartedness.

PODOLYANYCHKA (Подоляночка) - In staging this beautiful piece depicting the courting traditions of young people, I have adapted it to reflect Ivana Kupala, a folk tradition that occurs during the Summer Solstace. Young ladies, full of hope and anticipation, weave flowered wreaths and set them adrift in the river with a prayer that Providence carries their wreath to be discovered by the young man they are destined to marry.

What makes this project particularly special is that two of the three dances that I am setting are from that video that so profoundly impacted me and ultimately set the trajectory for my life.  With respect to the third dance… in 2017, in a full circle, ‘dream come true’ moment, I had a tremendously fulfilling and professionally affirming opportunity to train for two months, as a guest, at the Virsky studio in Kyiv.  The third dance that I will be staging, I learned while there.

It is truly an honor, and I am grateful to the Ballet Theatre of Maryland, for the opportunity to share the work of Pavlo Virsky with new audiences, particularly amid the current heartache and destruction.  Prayers for the people of Ukraine.

For registration information and more: https://www.carolecasciofund.org