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Photos by Andre Gagne
What do perogies, pinball and partying Ukrainian-style have in common? It’s all part of the Capital Ukrainian Festival Korchma coming to Ottawa’s Ukrainian Banquet Hall on July 21 and 22. Three Bud’mo Shuttle buses will be departing the Festival’s main grounds to bring you to the later festivities.
Some might think an entire day of programming at the Festival might end when the last band walks off the main stage but why stop there? Korchma usually is a reference to a place where one can live it, party like a kozak, if you will! Toss in video games, infectiously danceable music and perogies made hot by the legendary Yogis in House of Targ, and you’ve got one wild night. No, wait, you’ve got two!
This start late (11:30 PM) and rolls into the wee small hours of the morning with Ottawa’s Polka Rock adrenaline injection, Ukrainia. They’ve been dubbed as “not your grandmother’s wedding dance band”. Skip right by the ceremony and begin with the reception as this band is set to lift you up and transport you to another time with music inspired by the old country but peppered with some modern day heat. Maybe it’s the vodka. Expect a frenzy that you’ll feel in the morning.
When the description of your music includes the word “chaos” you know you’re in for something intense. Straight out of Kyiv, DakhaBrakha is an ethnic chaos band that creates a world of unexpected new music. Their name means “give/take” and that’s exactly what you can expect from one of their performances. They’ll give you an unforgettable show of Ukrainian melodies and you’ll take all you can get.
Saturday, July 22
Still got some energy? Good, because you’re going to need it when Newfoundland’s 6-piece Speed-Folk party machine The Kubasonics take the stage with their gypsy/punk fused influences. Next up is TyT I Tam, a group that has been captivating crowds all over the world with a rush of turbofolk. In case you haven’t gotten the picture, this night really is trying to pull a fast one on you! Just when you think you’ve caught your breath, this group will slam you with their rock-ska combo layered with four-part harmonies for a frenetic and stirring experience. The night begins with Ottawa’s own weirdo crooner, Remi Royal. Also your MC for the evening, he’ll gave you a taste of why he’s called the city’s most active lounge singer.
Level up your night with those perogies, folks, because you’re not going to have any problem burning off the calories. Bud’mo Hey!