It's been a few months since Lorelle Holowaty and Lisa Bilinski started advertising a prospective Ukrainian dance club - referred to as the Zhvavi Ukrainian Dancers - and it has expanded to 21 members from Humboldt and area (as far away as Naicam).
"We always hope for more," Holowaty said. "I think that was a pretty darn good number to start."
There's roughly an even number of boys and girls from all age and skill levels, though Holowaty says there are more beginners and intermediate students than experienced.
"It's a very athletic form of dancing," she said. "There are a lot of hockey players that have taken Ukrainian dancing for endurance and to strengthen them"
They mostly range in age from 4-13. Holowaty said that if there is enough interest from adults, they'll add an adult class.
The club isn't just about dancing; it's about preserving and making students aware of Ukrainian traditions, such as decorating Ukrainian Easter eggs.
"I like it because it's carrying on the tradition," she said. "The tradition is not as plentiful as it used to be."
Lorelle and Bilinski came up with the idea because Ukraine traditions were important to both of them, and they talked about it for about a year before actually putting the idea in motion. From the time they started planning, it took about two years to bring everything together. They advertised for students and a teacher, and it grew from there.
"It's bringing another cultural aspect to the region," Holowaty said.
And to celebrate that cultural aspect, the club has several fundraisers in the works. One will see the students selling Ukrainian Easter baskets with sausage and perogies. The other will take place in April and is set to be a blowout with music and performances from the dancers. In addition to performing at the fundraiser, the dancers have a final recital in May.
Overall, Holowaty says reaction to the club has been very positive, with excitement coming from both students and parents.
