Zoloti Maky (Zuh-loh-tee Mah-kee) is a San Francisco-based Ukrainian Dance Ensemble, named after California's Golden Poppy (Zoloti meaning golden, and Maky, poppy). We perform across the Bay Area and beyond, sharing our passion for Ukrainian dance and culture. For us, keeping Ukraine and its rich cultural traditions in the public eye matters now more than ever.
Our repertoire includes traditional national and regional folk dances, as well as original choreography, from well-known set pieces to more intimate works created for particular stages and occasions. We perform at cultural festivals, community events, fundraisers, and private celebrations, bringing the spirit of Ukrainian dance to a wide range of audiences throughout the region.
We adapt our performances to suit different settings. This includes smaller-format pieces and duets, all-women or mixed programs, and choreography developed for specific occasions such as Christmas performances, television broadcasts, weddings, and community fundraisers. We can also incorporate short demonstrations or participatory elements, depending on the event.
We perform a range of well-known dances alongside original choreography. Our current repertoire includes:
(pree-VEE-it)
Pryvit, is a traditional welcome dance, greeting the audience with bread and salt carried on an embroidered rushnyk (towel). It is rooted in customs of hospitality, respect, and community. This dance is all about saying you're welcome the Ukrainian way. Women often wear embroidered blouses, flowing skirts, and floral vinok crowns with ribbons, while men wear bright shirts and sashes.
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(hoh-PAK)
Hopak, Ukraine's national dance, is known for its athleticism, rapid footwork, and virtuosic jumps. It is one of the most recognizable expressions of Ukrainian dance on stage. Rooted in the traditions of the Zaporizhzhian Cossacks, Hopak is bold, playful, and full of competitive spirit. Today, Hopak is danced by both women and men, combining strength and grace with colorful costumes and high-energy movement.
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(hoot-SOOL-kah)
Hutsulka comes from southwestern Ukraine and is traditionally associated with wedding celebrations. It is marked by fast, intricate footwork and a lively, driving rhythm. This dance reflects the energy of the Carpathian mountain villages. The costumes are especially rich and detailed, creating a joyful, festive feeling that captures the excitement of a wedding celebration in the Ukrainian highlands.
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(koh-KET-kah)
Koketka is a lively Ukrainian folk dance about a young boy trying to get the attention of a young girl who is not so easily impressed. He flirts, she keeps saying no, and he keeps trying. It has lots of playful acting, fast spinning, and great energy. It almost feels like watching a little love story — except she is definitely not ready to fall for him just yet. This duet is danced by our best soloists, who turn a simple story into one of the most fun moments of our show.
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(SHEH-dryk)
Shchedryk is our own choreography, created especially for the girls of Zoloti Maky. Danced with beautiful shawls to the familiar melody of Shchedryk (the music behind “Carol of the Bells”), it is very different from our more energetic dances. Slow, graceful, and a little magical, it brings the feeling of a quiet Ukrainian winter and Christmas to the stage. It is one of our most requested pieces for holiday performances.
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(deh-VYAT-kah)
Devyatka is a playful Ukrainian folk dance filled with lively interaction between a man and two women. There is a little flirting, some competition, and plenty of playful teasing as the three dancers change partners and relationships throughout the dance. Through expressive gestures, humor, and character, they create a small story on stage. It is light, funny, and full of personality.
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'We are still fighting: Ukrainian Day in S.F. takes on new meaning during brutal war'
"…stood on the stage at the bandshell in Golden Gate Park, wearing a traditional costume as part of Zoloti Maky, a Ukrainian dance ensemble that was performing as part of Ukrainian Day, a San Francisco celebration in honor of Ukrainian Independence Day."
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Arts in Action: Live Performance Feature
Zoloti Maky performed live at Open San Jose as part of NorCal Public Media's Arts in Action series. The one-take performance was filmed on-site in front of a studio audience, broadcast across San Jose on CreaTV, and streamed nationally through NorCal affiliates.
Recording temporarily offline
Ukraine Fest Feature
Aired live on KPIX-TV across the Bay Area. This televised feature spotlighted Zoloti Maky's performance at the Sunnyvale Ukraine Fest. Two dancers narrated the segment and shared their thoughts on heritage, their connections to Ukraine, and the role of cultural expression during wartime.
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"Japan and Ukraine's Local Sister Cities"
Coverage of Sebastopol's annual "Where Sushi Meets Borsch" celebration, honoring its sister-city ties with Chyhyryn, Ukraine, and Takeo, Japan. Zoloti Maky was featured for bringing Ukrainian dance to the heart of this cross-cultural event, highlighting shared values of friendship, heritage, and community exchange.
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"Greet Them with Bread and Bring Forth the Salt"
A longform profile on Zoloti Maky, exploring the group's founding, its political and cultural mission, and the personal journeys of its members. Includes interviews and insights on the power of diaspora performance during war.
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zolotimaky@gmail.com
San Francisco, CA
Natalia Ilina
Lyola Rowe
Zoloti Maky team members
