UKRAINE BENEFIT CONCERT & SINGERS INVITED
Iveria Men’s Ensemble ‑Yevshan Ukrainian Ensemble ‑Mass Choir
SEYMOUR UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 90 Pearl St, Seymour, CT SUNDAY, NOV. 12
2:30PM — Reception following.
Kindly reserve tickets at Eventbrite.com or get tickets at the door
A joyous and exultant day of celebration featuring:
IVERIA – a genial men’s ensemble to sing exhilarating and intriguing folk music from the Republic of Georgia
YEVSHAN CHORALE – presenting charming and lush folk and liturgical music from Ukraine
Come sing with MASS CHOIR – singing the traditional Molytva za Ukrayinu (Prayer for Ukraine) and Mnohaya Lita (Many Years), a traditional Ukrainian song of well-wishing.
Alex Kuzma, the director of the Yevshan Ukrainian Chorale is pleased to be presenting this concert in Seymour. He states “the…Valley has long had a very vibrant Ukrainian American community. with legendary figures like Igor Sikorsky and Sam Jaskilka. But it’s only recently that we’ve been able to revive the great tradition of Ukrainian choral music in this area,” He recently visited Ukraine in his capacity serving in development with the Catholic University of Ukraine. He notes. “with Ukraine’s heroic people fighting against a massive Russian Invasion, this concert offers a great opportunity to share some of Ukraine’s beautiful artistic spirit and to raise funds for humanitarian aid for some of the embattled communities.”
After the concert, all are welcome to a little Georgian-inspired reception. A so-called “Supra” is an intriguing Georgian custom. It is a feast — a time to eat, toast, make remarks apropos of the day, as well as singing traditional “Table Songs” and dancing. According to one Yevshan singer who has witnessed an authentic Supra in Tblisi, Georgia, “It is a remarkable rich and engaging tradition of warm hospitality and community.”
Admission is free. Donations are being sought to help the grass roots Ukrainian Charity — Promoting the Protection of Solonyanshchyna. The charity work is conducted through the Intercession Church at Solony. A number of parishioners including the parish priest have gone off to the fighting.
Donations of blankets and warm clothing, toiletries, etc. for all ages is immediately needed by the refugees and displaced people. Treats, waterproof boots, underwear etc., are being collected for the troops. Items and funds will be collected the day of the concert.
Lessia Shajenko, a Ukrainian-American from Massachusetts coordinates the collection of funds and needed items for the charity. She will be sharing some pictures and stories from the work in Ukraine. Shajenko states that used and hand-made items are welcomed. She notes that some of the recipient villages have dirt roads, no running water and use outhouses. She states that now they are “destitute…sitting without heat and hungry”. She states that time is of the essence as winter is closing in.
Donations can be made via GiveSendGo at UKRAINE BENEFIT SEYMOUR CT or by cash, cash apps or check.
Please call Joe Matson at 475 – 300-8691 or email joelmatson@yahoo.com for info and to receive music for mass choir and mass choir rehearsal details.
