Raising funds and spirits: Troyanda Ukrainian Dance Club hosts concert to benefit Ukraine, May 15, 2022 (Photo: LNN)

By Drew Stremick

Raising funds and spirits: Troyanda Ukrainian Dance Club hosts benefit concert

May 15, 2022 | 4:34 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Coinciding with its year-end showcase, the Troyanda Ukrainian Dance Club (TUDC) held a benefit concert on Sunday, May 15 2022 to raise funds for refugees coming to Lethbridge from Ukraine and to support humanitarian relief efforts.

The auditorium at the Yates Memorial Centre in Lethbridge was nearing capacity as many people came out to show support and raise funds.

Attendees browsing items for the silent auction at the Troyanda Ukrainian Dance Club benefit concert, May 15, 2022 (Photo: LNN)

Lead instructor Anastasia Sereda says hosting the benefit concert is one way to show support for those who are displaced because of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

“We really wanted to bring awareness to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine,” said Sereda. “Also, a lot of displaced people are now going to be coming to Lethbridge. We want to show our support in any way we can.”

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Sereda continued, saying the TUDC has a responsibility to share Ukrainian culture and continue to raise awareness.

“As a Ukrainian dance organization,” Sereda said. “We feel like that’s one of our missions is to not only share and educate the public about Ukrainian culture, but also really bring awareness to what’s going on right now in Ukraine.”

The TUDC wasn’t the only group performing at the concert. The Bridge Brass Quintet and the Interludo String Duo donated their time to perform at the event.

Maryna Iamkova poses with her paintings, May 15, 2022 (Photo: LNN)

Display to take donations for the benefit concert, May 15, 2022 (Photo: LNN)

When asked where the money raised will go, Sereda says all the proceeds from the concert will go to a handful of different groups.

“We’re probably going to split up the funds to donate to various organizations,” Sereda said. “Local Ukrainian organizations, the Canada Ukraine Foundation, and we’ll even provide some support to some of our members who are Ukrainian who have had to bring their families here.”

Tickets for the benefit concert were by donation. Another way the TUDC raised funds was through a silent auction, which included a variety of items donated by members of the community, including original works of art painted by Maryna Iamkova, who came to Lethbridge from Ukraine. The TUDC also had a 50/50 draw, and a quilt auction as a way to help raise money. The silent auction is running until May 25, 2022.

Dancers performing Pryvitannya, May 15, 2022 (Photo: LNN)

Some of the items available in the silent auction, May 15, 2022 (Photo: LNN)

A dedication to those currently fighting in Ukraine on one of the quilts, May 15, 2022 (Photo: LNN)