Sunflower festival hosting concert in the vineyard for Ukrainian relief
In a few weeks, 70,000 to 80,000 sunflowers will be planted in preparation for the two-weekend event in August
The sunflowers have yet to be planted, but Niagara Sunflower Festival organizers are continuing to do their part to raise funds for Ukrainian relief.
This Friday, they will welcome two Ukrainian musical duets to Beamsville for a fundraising concert — all in hopes of supporting Ukraine’s ongoing war against Russia, with the invasion well past the two-year mark.
The night will feature E.K.A. band member Katya Boyko and special guest Mamay, who are arriving this week from Kyiv. The evening will also welcome Dima and Tatiana Tytarenko of the acoustic duet Nezisvitu, which combines traditional and modern elements.
It is the first of three upcoming events for the musicians, who are also performing at two fundraising concerts in Toronto.
Co-organizer of Niagara Sunflower Festival Joe Hube said it is “very fortunate” to have Katya and Mamay, as well as Nezisvitu, perform at the London Born Wine Co. venue at 3749 Walker Rd.
Originally from Kharkiv, Dima and Tatiana had only been in Canada for about six months when Hube and co-organizer Bill Emslie met them at the sunflower festival in 2022. It was an accidental meeting, but also “serendipitous.”
“Bill and I were just mad about these people we had just met and their musicianship and their personality,” said Hube. “We wanted to do something as a fundraiser with these folks and they kindly consented.”
The duo performed in two fundraising concerts that year.
Since then, they have kept in touch — with Nezisvitu now living in the Hamilton-Stoney Creek region — and saw an opportunity to put together another concert this spring, with a set list that includes additional Ukrainian musicians.
“We’re ecstatic,” said Hube. “We’re very excited to go and witness a beautiful musical evening. It is really quite lovely.”
The largest fundraiser is coming up later this summer, the Sunflower Festival for Ukrainian Relief. In a few weeks, 70,000 to 80,000 sunflowers will be planted in preparation for the two-weekend event in August.
The last weekend of the festival will include the Sound Bath Journey and Meditation for Ukraine.
“There will be lots of musicians there, as well. There will be food, there’ll be vendors — looking forward to having lots of visitors come and support,” said Hube.
Last month, the fundraising group held its third annual Spin for Ukrainian Relief, which raised more than $6,100.
“We just continue to remind people about the horrible situation unfolding in Ukraine and how important it is on the world stage and how people should think about life would be like in a scenario like that and how awful the invasion is,” said Hube.
For more information on Friday’s concert in the vineyard, visit eventbrite.ca/e/concert-in-the-vineyard-for-ukrainian-relief-2024tickets-893942194167?aff=oddtdtcreator.