Winter Songs on Mars

Photo by Waldemart Klyuzko

Koliada is a solstice ritual from Eastern Europe that predates Christianity in some aprts. Koliadnyky is a Ukrainian vocal group that sings Koliada songs. The group has teamed up with The Yara Arts Group to present for one performance the show Winter Songs on Mars at La MaMa.

The text is adapted from a 1780 puppet show, a nativity play called Vertep, and it’s fused with traditional Koliada songs. It’s all put into a clever context of Martians discovering their ancestors were Ukrainian - it’s silly but it gives the play a nice frame.

Of course, those ancestors show up - with drums, vibes, piano, a bass, a cello, more drums, and specially tuned fiddles. The traditional instruments are a trambita (a “mountain horn”), the duda (bagpipes made from a goat), drymby (jaw harps) and a tylynka (an “overtone flute”). And there’s a large hammer dulcimer - at one point the musician turns it over and raps on the wooden back.

The grand, full-bodied singing is largely from men and almost always in unison. At one point there’s an interesting call-and-response passage.

The play is the tory of The Holy Innocents, and it’s inventively presented. In one scene Herod speaks Ukrainian but his sooth-sayer speaks English. We don’t need to understand Herod because we know what he’s saying, and the technique gives an interesting distancing effect.

This wonderful show is created and directed by Virlana Tkacz, Yara’s Artisti Director. The costumes are designed by Keiko Obremski - she’s created a gorgeous gown for Alida, the rightful queen of Mars.

The whole event is joyous, life-affirming. When the chorus sings “Ring the bells” the assembly does so. And the announcement “Awake and fear not for great joy is upon us!” - well, Winter Songs on Mars is great! Thank you, Yara and Koliadnyky!

review
Steve Capra

December 2019

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