Youth Folklore Group to Hold Fashion Show Fundraiser

The Youth Folklore Group at New Gracanica Monastery will hold a fashion show Sept. 29 to raise money for a 2015 trip to Serbia.

Donna Ivancevic, who is organizing the show, said the event will include "a lovely lunch, followed by a wonderful performance by our Gracanica Orchestra, made up of children between sixth and 12th grades.

"They will be playing instruments as well as singing Serbian songs," said Ivancevic. "There will be many lovely raffle prizes and delicious desserts."

The Gracanica Folklore Group started in 1979 with classes held on Friday evenings in the basement of the first home the monastery's bishop lived after moving to the property in Third Lake, said Ivancevic. 

"The basement in that home was carpeted and that is where the first dances were taught to about 10 children," she said. "We had a group that ranged from ages 4-12. The basement was dimly-lit, but the spirit of the children and their excitement of being in a folklore group was all the energy needed. Classes were held regularly and the children could hardly wait from one Friday to the next."

These days, there are about 80 children in the Gracanica Folklore Group ranging from ages 5-18. Though practices are still held on Friday nights, there are now four separate practices for different age groups. 

"The children today, as 34 years ago, cannot wait for the start of folklore in September, to see their friends and to dance," said Ivancevic.

The Sept. 29 Fall Fashion Show & Luncheon will help fund the group's trip to Europe to perform. Tickets for the fashion show are $20 for adults and $10 for children. The event will be held at 1 p.m. in the Gracanica Monastery Camp Hall, 25240 N. Grant St., Third Lake.

For ticket information, email kathy.timotijevic@comcast.net.