‘It reminds me of home’: Ukrainian DJ day parties hit Jasper Ave. this summer

Don'ya Kitchen on Jasper Avenue is hosting daytime dance parties to showcase Ukraine's culture in a unique setting. CTV News Edmonton's Marek Tkach reports.

For those who aren’t flying to Europe this summer, a Ukrainian coffee shop and kitchen on Jasper Avenue is bringing European vibes to Edmonton.

This summer, DON’YA Ukraine’s Kitchen is hosting daytime DJ parties every Tuesday to kickstart the morning in a high-energy way.

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The parties are inspired by Ukrainian culture, where daytime parties and energy hours spill into the streets of places like Kyiv.

“It’s really loud and vibrant … I think Edmonton really wants that energy, that power,” said Jorgia Lindquist, co-founder of DON’YA Ukraine’s Kitchen.

She said that while so many Ukrainians are having to move away from their home, DJ parties are an opportunity to make newcomers feel welcome.

“It reminds me of home,” said University of Alberta student Khrystyna Shipka.

Shipka, who’s originally from Ukraine, said that while it may be “unusual” for Canadians, the concept is to give people a boost of energy throughout the work week.

The kickoff event on Wednesday saw a DJ lineup from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., local non-alcoholic beverages, Red Bull and samples from DON’YA Ukraine’s Kitchen.

It also featured a perogy DJ, Sofiia Stoliarenko, who could be seen dancing along to pop hits and remixes behind her makeshift DJ booth.

“I don’t like going to parties, but this is my kind of party,” she said. “I’m excited. I want more people to see us, definitely.”

DON’YA is operated entirely by Ukrainians who are starting new lives in Canada.The Jasper Avenue location opened mid-April.

Lindquist said the hope is that the DJ parties will remind Edmontonians of how vibrant downtown life can be.

“We’re a community that loves to support local, we’re a community that loves to have fun,” she said.

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Marek Tkach