After two months of hard work and training, rehearsing overtime, extra rehearsals, helping the costumes team and fundraising to get us on stage, a party was more than appropriate.

All the way from Toronto Canada flew the famous Ukrainian band Zirka. Performing not only at Hopak in the Park but also for all us performers at the Zabava. The band again delivered an amazing performance of Ukrainian signature Zabava music.

We could finally let our hair down and relax, catching up and getting to know the other performers that danced that day. Ukrainian Beer was the biggest hit amongst the crowd. Some argue that it was only because the bar line was a killer all night and beer had its own table, but we weren’t complaining.

Finally came the time for our traditional kolo. All the performers finally got to show off the best of Ukrainian dancing. Lehenda were more than ready, the girls...

Want to see some brilliant photos from our gig? Here are a couple links…

Dina Studio Photography
https://www.facebook.com/DinaStudio
http://www.dinastudio.com.au/

Tara and Sonia Moravski [Page 4 and the last few pages]
https://m.flickr.com//photos/moravski/sets/72157644354135471/

Check out our Facebook page which has constant updates and photos posted by us and our supporters.
https://www.facebook.com/lehendaukrainiandance?fref=ts

Saturday 28 April 2014, 9.00am.
Sidney Myer Music Bowl
Adrenaline in our blood as we stretched our legs and stood on the stages edge. Looking out at thousands of empty soon to be filled seats. Wondering what other legends have performed on this stage.

Our new company gear on and red boots gleaming, we marched to our positions and prepared for what could only be described as an unfrickenbelievble experience.

Make up and hair finished, costumes, boots and headpieces on. Crowd in their seats. We got on stage and performed two Hopaks; and if we can say so ourselves, we killed it.

The crowd went wild as splits and jumps flew through the air and dancers turned into spinning colors of ribbon. Shock after shock we gave the audience an experience of a lifetime as they wished they were dancing with us too.

Heavy breathing as we raised our arms to finish. Beaming smiles as we bent and...

Our wildest dreams came true for us dancers. We have skyrocketed past our target on our indigogo campaign raising more money than we ever hoped for. From as little as $5 to $500 sponsorship’s, the response towards our campaign was astounding.

Not only did our online campaign reach big. Our own internal fundraising of organic apples and tote bags amongst out peers became a hit too. Who ever thought apples would be so popular?!

Our friends and family are still asking some of us if we’ll sell them again. Such amazing responses have made our hearts throb.

The Lehenda Company would like to thank absolutely everyone for their incredible support as we have grown and worked so hard over the last few months. To all our family, friends, the Ukrainian community and many other generous people and helping hands and huge thank you from all of us!

Kisses and Hugs from all of us as we get back...

As passionate Ukrainian dancers we are extremely eager to get out there and perform. Hyped and ready our only problem is costumes. There are none.

We were able to borrow a small number for some gigs over the last few months. However, the full company will be performing at the Ukrainian festival Hopak in the Park at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl towards the end of April. With many willing hands to make the costumes it comes down to money we don’t have that stops us.

The dances are magnificent. Lehenda are ready and full of excitement.
We are asking everyone and anyone to please donate as little as your morning coffee money to help us get on stage.

The community have worked together to make what we can, assembling beautiful vinoks and getting measurements and drafts to begin creating.

Its a long and strenuous process when you’re starting from scratch. Ukrainian national costumes are...

With so many dancers new to Ukrainian dancing at Lehenda, so too are they new to the dancers who have come together from other groups. In order to perform together on stage you need to have a connection amongst each other. Friendship and trust are vital if you want life and spirit on the stage.

So we could achieve this at our next gig at Hopak in the Park, our director organised a small party for us to get to know each other and have a good time.

On a Friday night at the Ukrainian Bar in Essendon we got together over drinks, drinks, pizza and more drinks to celebrate what we’d accomplished so far.

With Vortul, a DJ and also one of our fellow dancers bringing the music, it was ultimately dancing that brought all of us together. We danced the night away to all style of music in dance and bonded together inevitably.

There is no judgement, no competition, no conflict amongst us...

While some of us have come from past Ukrainian dance companies together, others come from distinctly different dance corporations, from ballet to Irish. There are even some who before Lehenda have never danced before.
However we’re a family with the same vision.

Lehendas dancers want to better ourselves in many different ways, but all in the spirit of the Ukrainian culture. While some of us aim to improve our dancing capabilities, building stamina and grace, others are learning to become performers.

Stage presence in the character a dancer plays is vital if we want our stories to be understood. The way we angle our bodies, hold our posture and expressions on our faces all create the atmosphere on stage and within the audience.

Unison and quality are essential in dance, but not before performance. There needs to be life and excitement behind every step, shocks and surprises in the...

A newly created Ukrainian Dance organisation with a dream to share the prized traditions, legends and stories of the rich culture of Ukraine. Our Artistic Director Melanie Moravski Dechnicz has a vision of spreading the vibrant Ukrainian culture around the world.

Based in Melbourne, Victoria, Lehenda Ukrainian Dance Company tells the historical tales of mystery and power in spirit of the renowned Ukrainian choreographers and artists before us. The company of 40 performers embody the passion and soul of Ukrainian culture. “Contagious energy, spectacle, colour and spirit that is, Ukrainian Dance!” is how our director describes us dancers, filled with strength, beauty and grace.

Such stamina and finesse doesn’t come easy though. To be magnificent and capture our audiences hearts, discipline and understanding our strengths and weaknesses is vital if we want our message shared. This...