Stephanie Turenko, Toronto.
Another season of Malanky has come and gone. Plast Toronto Stanystia held its annual Malanka Saturday January 10th at Liberty Grand. This year, the Malanka Committee consisted of Christine Turenko, Cassandra Wysochanskyj, Alexandra Mulkewytch, Oksana Hrycyna, Alexa Pavliuc and myself; each of us using our own personal strengths to make the event a success. The theme we chose was “Canadiana”, drawing on our love for our country.
We envisioned making the space look rustic, yet still chic after all Malanka is a black tie event.
The centrepieces consisted of found birch cut into various heights and placed in bunches on the tables, lit with candles, surrounded with pinecones and acorns. The tablecloths were black with buffalo plaid runners. In keeping with our theme, we hung canoe paddles over the dance floor.
During cocktail hour, there was an appetizer station run by Ninutik, a company that envelopes cheese with maple syrup over snow. There were a variety of cheese – each delicious! Also there was a silent auction whose items were both Ukrainian and Canadian. Some of the items included signed Maple Leaf Hockey Stick, High Stick Vodka, photos from the Maidan, Hot Air Balloon Ride, ПТН ПТХ toilet paper and art made by young Ukrainian Canadian artists Oksana Hawrylak and Alexa Pavliuc. All the $2,500 proceeds made that evening were donated to Dopomoha Ukrajina (Ukraine Aid).
We were honored to have 2 bands join us this year – Hrim from New York, and TYT I TAM from Saskatchewan. The dance floor was always packed. If people weren’t dancing, they were upstairs enjoying the midnight snack of French-Canadian poutine, french fries with cheese curds and gravy, and Beaver Tails, fried dough dusted with cinnamon sugar or in the photobooth with various Canadian props such as scarves, hockey jerseys or a sign that says “eh”.
The event was a complete success. Guests have told us it was their favourite Malanka they have ever attended and appreciated our attention to detail. It takes a lot of hard work to pull off an event of this caliber, but upon hearing positive compliments, it makes it all worth it.
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