YORKTON — The Kalyna Ukrainian Dance School has been a big part of life in Yorkton for half a century, teaching dance and culture to its members, while hosting an annual event that carries a big economic spinoff.
Now the club is getting ready to host another big event: its 50th anniversary celebration Nov. 22.
Cally Holinaty, who is the annual festival’s chairwoman, a club vice-president and a dancer, noted the dance club was established in 1975 as a project of the Ukrainian Catholic Women’s League Branch No. 2. She said it was an “extremely successful” venture that fostered interest in the preservation of celebrating Ukrainian culture, by teaching young people how to dance in the traditional ways of their ancestors.
Kalyna is the Ukrainian word for the viburnum plant. It is a national and ethnic symbol of Ukraine, representing beauty, love, motherhood and the homeland.
This year the club has 69 families and 112 dancers, with 10 groups, ranging in age from three to adults. And with lots of two-year-olds interested, Holinaty said the school started an eight-week parent-and-tot program. The number of dancers is on the rise, as last year the club had 60 families and 98 students.
Registration has rebounded after it dropped during and immediately after the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.
“The last few years, we’ve grown a significant amount,” she said. “When we look back to … when we had our 25th anniversary, we’re actually equivalent to what we had then.”
She describes the club as a family and they treat everyone accordingly.
“There’s no such thing as outsiders, and when you enter our club, we’re very close-knit … and any newcomers that come, they’re welcomed with open arms,” said Holinaty.
Even when she was a young dancer in the club in the 1990s and early 2000s, Holinaty said everybody got along and did things together.
“We have lots of alumni who danced and now their kids are dancing with us, so it’s nice that we can still be a part of it,” she said.
Holinaty has lots of experience with the club. She danced with them from when she was four to 17 years old; she recalled being a dancer during the 25th anniversary. Eventually she left the club and the community to go to school, but returned to the city and Kalyna nine years ago.
The 50th milestone has been a focal point this year. When the club held its Valentine’s Day social, it distributed shot glasses to mark 50 years. Holinaty said alumni approached Kalyna about having a big event, so on Nov. 22, they will have a gala to mark the occasion at the Gallagher Centre’s Flexi-hall.
Highlights will include a traditional Ukrainian supper, speeches, history and history. The Kalyna dancers will perform and Sloohai will provide live music.
A cash lottery, a silent auction, a slide show with pictures and other activities are scheduled to be part of the event.
“We can see each other all over again and visit. Everybody’s older, and we’re hoping that some of the old instructors will attend, so invitations are sent to them and to past-presidents. All of the dancers we are asking [to attend].”
The dance club hopes to attract about 700 people for the milestone event. Tickets went on sale in late September. They also have sponsors and are looking for more.
“We’re hoping to have a lot of history and see where 50 years has come, from the beginning to now. Fifty years is a big accomplishment.”
People are very proud of the club and the milestone, she said. The club has a Ukrainian dance festival each year that has become a big event for the community, as it attracts 19 or 20 clubs from Saskatchewan and Manitoba and over 1,000 dancers.
Holinaty noted the club had to expand the event to four days and start it on a Thursday due to the demand. The next festival will be April 30-May 3.
“It’s a great time. All of the different costumes, the regions, and even just the history as well,” said Holinaty, who noted the 2026 festival will be the 23rd edition.
The club’s current executive is president Lana Klemetski, vice-presidents Lara Buchholzer, Kristene Girard and Holinaty, treasurer Marcy Hiduk and secretary Carla Kruk. Instructors are Karen Sarafincian, Dan Kozak and AnnaLee Parnetta.
