Olya
Lead vocals
UA FEST 2025PerformerArtist
Dobryj Vechir Band
Dobryi Vechir Band · Добрий вечір · Dobryj Vechir
Traditional Ukrainian folk band
Accordion, tsymbaly, viola, bass and a voice — Ukrainian folk from Ottawa.
UA FEST Family
About
Dobryj Vechir Band is a traditional Ukrainian folk band from Ottawa. Five musicians: Olya sings lead, Larisa plays accordion, Bonnie plays keyboard and viola, Mykola plays bass guitar and Roman plays tsymbaly, the Ukrainian hammered dulcimer. Larisa and Bonnie sing backup, and the two of them also play in the Kanata Symphony Orchestra.
The band plays where the community gathers: Ottawa's All-Community Malanka on Old Ukrainian New Year's Eve, and the Knights of Columbus dinners that raise money for Ukraine, where they were asked back a second year.
On Saturday, 13 September 2025 they played UAFest in Carleton Place twice, at 1:45 PM and again at 3:45 PM. The name is the Ukrainian evening greeting — «Добрий вечір», good evening — and the first words of one of the best-loved Ukrainian carols.
“It is a privilege to be playing alongside so many talented Ukrainian musicians!”
Traditional Ukrainian folk
Two sets · UAFest 2025
Tsymbaly · accordion · viola
Dobryj Vechir Band
Five musicians, one evening
The band introduces itself by first names and instruments. Two of them, Bonnie and Larisa, also play in the Kanata Symphony Orchestra.
Larisa
Accordion, backup vocals
Bonnie
Keyboard, viola, backup vocals
Mykola
Bass guitar
Roman
Tsymbaly — the Ukrainian hammered dulcimer
Dobryj Vechir Band
Twice on the 2025 stage
The festival's printed running order for Saturday, 13 September 2025 lists the band twice, both times as folk. Only a handful of the day's acts had a second slot, in the festival's biggest year to date: more than 4,000 visitors.
The day before, the band wrote: “We are very excited to be playing tomorrow at the Ukrainian Fest Lanark County! Thank you to the organizers.” Looking back, they called it “a wonderful festival” and wrote that it was “especially nice to see so many kids and teens singing and dancing!”
1:45 PM · First set
Early afternoon, between the young singer Mariia Barhan (1:30 PM) and the Ottawa Ukrainian Children's Choir (2:00 PM).
3:45 PM · Second set
Back on stage straight after Tetiana Navolska's bandura (3:30 PM) and ahead of Dance with us Ottawa (4:00 PM).
The whole 2025 stage, hour by hour
27 slots from 12:30 PM to 8:00 PM, recovered from the festival's own guide of that day.
Visit →Dobryj Vechir Band
Photos
Dobryj Vechir Band
Where you hear them
Most of what the band plays is played for the community: Malanka nights that see in the old Ukrainian New Year, and dinners that raise money for Ukraine.
November 2024 · Fundraiser for Ukraine
Knights of Columbus Council 9557. The band: “Delicious food, friendly people, and a great audience!”
11 January 2025 · Ottawa Malanka
The All-Community Malanka, Old Ukrainian New Year's Eve, at the Orthodox Hall on Byron Avenue.
1 November 2025 · Asked back
The Knights of Columbus fundraiser for humanitarian aid for Ukraine. “It is really nice to be playing to such a warm and supportive audience.”
Dobryj Vechir Band
What the name says
«Добрий вечір» — dobryi vechir — is how Ukrainians say good evening. It is also the opening line of «Добрий вечір тобі, пане господарю», one of the best-loved Ukrainian carols, sung house to house on winter evenings when carollers wish the hosts a good year.
A folk band that takes this name takes the greeting with it: the song that arrives at the door and is let in.
Dobryj Vechir Band
Questions about Dobryj Vechir
Who are Dobryj Vechir Band?
A traditional Ukrainian folk band from Ottawa: Olya on lead vocals, Larisa on accordion, Bonnie on keyboard and viola, Mykola on bass guitar and Roman on tsymbaly.
When did they play UAFest?
Twice on Saturday, 13 September 2025: at 1:45 PM and again at 3:45 PM, in Riverside Park, Carleton Place.
What are tsymbaly?
The Ukrainian hammered dulcimer: a flat box of strings played with two small hammers. It gives Ukrainian folk music its bright, ringing sound.
What does «Dobryj Vechir» mean?
Good evening. It is the everyday Ukrainian evening greeting and the first words of the carol «Добрий вечір тобі, пане господарю».
How can I invite them to play?
Send the band a message on their Facebook page.
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