The Verhoy Ukrainian Dance Ensemble will hold its last-ever Malanka on Saturday, Jan. 29, 2000, an event that sold out within one hour of tickets going on sale.

The Millennium Malanka, marking the Ukrainian New Year, will take place at McKenna Auditorium, and will feature a full traditional celebration, said Linda Rudachyk, a member of the Verhoy dancers. The event will have 450 people in attendance.

She explained the dance group has been holding a Vesna spring celebration the past few years, but decided to mark the upcoming new millennium with one last Malanka. As this celebration is so large and involves so much work, the group wants to return to holding the Vesna celebration in future years instead.

"It will be a very traditional meal with over 20 menu items. The Verhoy dancers will perform followed by the Tavria dancers from Regina. There will also be a special award given to a member of Verhoy," said Rudachyk.

A family dance with music by Prairie Stardust will follow, with a lunch at 11:30 and then a traditional ceremony at midnight which is different from the North American tradition of counting down to the new year.

"We'll have a solemn ceremony, with an old man dressed in white coming in with a baby, also dressed in white. We're also going to have all the kids who have ever been Malanka babies there," said Rudachyk.