Ukrainian Folk Song Workshop
Come learn to sing Ukrainian folk songs at a workshop with Darka Dusty
7 p.m. Feb. 22
Eastside Jewish Commons
2420 NE Sandy Blvd.
Portland.
The workshop is sponsored by Portland FolkMusic Society and Eastside Jewish Commons. Tickets are $10 in advance or $12 at the door, and are available at:
https://events.humanitix.com/ukrainian-folk-song-workshop-with-darka-dusty
Darka is a first-generation Ukrainian-American singer-musician born in Detroit, MI and based in Portland. As half of "Darka and Slavko," she traveled from the U.S. to Ukraine in 1989 to play at "Chervona Ruta," the first independent Ukrainian pop music festival, which occurred two full years before Ukraine declared its independence from the USSR. Darka's band won “Best International Group” honors at this festival, and has also performed to Ukrainian diaspora communities throughout North-America and Europe.
These days, Darka is often seen about town doing fundraisers for Ukraine, as well as leading her band "Darka Dusty and the Borshch Beatniks," which performs original songs, eclectic covers, with jazz, blues, and country influences, as well as a supersized helping of Ukrainian songs, melodies, and motifs from her beloved heritage.
For this workshop, Darka will share the music of her deep Ukrainian roots by teaching participants a few Ukrainian folk songs -- including three-part harmonies, as well as the "big voice" style of folkloric singing often associated with Ukrainian choral music.
“We are a singing nation. When you get a group of Ukrainians together, you’re going to have instant harmonies and great pitch,” Darka explained.
The date of this workshop is significant, as it is close to the third anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022. “Ukraine is going through its most challenging time since WWII,” Darka says. "Sharing the cultural traditions of Ukraine, and reminding others about the resilient, freedom-loving spirit of Ukrainians is my personal mission."