Jun 28, 2026

The Vancouver branch of the AUUC is proud to be a part of the West Coast Ukie Fest celebrating Ukrainian culture on Canada’s stunning west coast.

This two-day Festival will feature an array of exciting activities taking place on Sunday, June 28th and Monday, June 29th.

Sunday, June 28th – Ukrainian Cultural Centre – 805 E. Pender Street, Vancouver.

The festival opens with a day of workshops and a public market. Free Admission!

From 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM, the lower hall fills with vendors — makers, embroiderers, and food artisans — including Kalyna’s Café where you can purchase meals including pyrohy, cabbage rolls, sausage and more. Visit our wonderful vendors and pick up a Ukrainian keepsake or souvenir. There will be a limited supply of frozen pyrohy and borshch for sale so come early to place your orders.

The upper hall will feature exciting workshops for dancers, singers and crafters.

Schedule

10:00 AM to 12:00 PM – Ukrainian Dance Workshop with Stefan Kuziw

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR - Stefan Kuziw has been a recognizable face in the Ukrainian dance community for decades. Ukrainian dance took over his life at an early age, as he was inspired by local and eventually professional dancers and ensembles worldwide. Stefan has taught in most of the local dance schools and ensembles in the Toronto area including: Yavir, Vesnianka, Poltava, Desna, UDS, Vatra, Mak, and Kalyna, and maintains a professional liaison status amongst the most prominent local groups and schools. Stefan had the opportunity to rehearse and perform with Virsky in the early 2000’s and had the privilege of working with Cirque du Soleil and some of Canada's most prominent principal dancers. Stefan has been the Artistic Director with Kalyna Performing Arts Company since 2016.

12:30 PM – 2:00 PM – Cultural/Craft Workshops – Fees apply.
Tanya Znak - Designer/Artist, Bachelor & master’s degrees from Lviv Academy of Art
Pysanky (Egg) - Decorate your own. Learn the symbols of this traditional art.
Svitlana Denysova – Designer - Vinoks - Wreath making (floral head band)
One of the oldest Ukrainian symbols.
Emily Shuya – Vyshyvka - Embroidery. Learn the centuries old cross-stitching.
Make a Bookmark or similar art piece.
Yana Zhezhela - Aroma Candles - Master Class on Candle Making.
Vancouver Ukrainian Folk Orchestra - Join members of the VUFO as they demonstrate various Ukrainian Instruments in their collection. David Skulski – organologist and educator, Liam Watson – bassoonist and Maryana Mukha – bandurist will be on hand to share some of these instruments with you.
To register or for further information about these Cultural/Craft workshops, email Donna at donna_marty@hotmail.com.

2:30 PM – 4:00 PM – EXPLORING THE VOICE with Olesia Shewchuk

An experiential workshop exploring the voice through breath, movement, sound, and song. Participants will explore vocal colour, texture, resonance, dynamics, and expression in a supportive group setting, ending with a group singalong of Ukrainian folk songs.

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR - Olesia Shewchuk is a multidisciplinary artist working as a singer, actor, pianist, dancer, and award-winning filmmaker. She has performed as a vocal soloist with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, the New Westminster Symphony Orchestra, the National Ballet of Ukraine, and City Opera Vancouver, and has appeared in over 24 theatre productions, including leading roles in Camelot, Once, and The Merry Widow. She conducts and arranges music for the Barvinok Ukrainian Choir in Vancouver, and leads community singalongs and music jams on guitar, piano, and accordion. www.olesia.ca

Monday, June 29th – Michael J. Fox Theatre 7:00 PM – 5455 Rumble St., Burnaby

Our Barvinok Choir and Dovbush Dancers will be joining dance ensembles and choirs from our local community as well as guest performers from across Canada. This not to be missed concert will showcase these wonderful groups with Ukrainian culture on full display. And our Take Four quartet will be on hand to greet guests as they arrive at the theatre.

This will be the last public concert at the Michael J. Fox Theatre which is scheduled to close on June 30th. Come visit this lovely theatre for its final public concert.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit: https://ukiefest.my.canva.site/west-coast-ukie-fest/event-schedule?fbclid=IwY2xjawSqrxVleHRuA2FlbQIxMABzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEefAtirn8pLw4kxZUp1UgWwqXOGPhJ2aqjWtJm4nEyvlqls97PCYn-2zOZIHA_aem_tUbgTbZvEKtfFgv0Hk_W6w