How Ukranian musician soldiers end up performing at Civic Brewery in Sopchoppy
Story & Photos By
LYNDA KINSEY
Staff
Frontline Ukrainian musicians performed a concert at Civic Brewery in Sopchoppy to an elated group of about 100 local art enthusiasts on Thursday, evening, Oct. 10.
The musicians are on a U.S. “Tour of Gratitude” to the American people for all of the support the country gives to Ukraine.
They were playing at a scheduled venue in Tampa for D&M Holdings, an American company that supports Ukraine through products.
Jason Lawhon of Sopchoppy works for that company and colleagues of his in Tampa contacted him to see if they could evacuate to Sopchoppy due to Hurricane Milton.
The musicians, unsure of what they should do or where they could go, asked the D&M employee if there was anywhere they could perform. Lawhon started reaching out for locations in the Wakulla area that may be available accomodations and found them a house on St. Teresa where they could stay.
They were so appreciative of the help provided they performed for a small group at Lawhon’s home. Still wanting to give back, the musicians asked if there was anywhere else they could play for the people here in Wakulla and Sopchoppy. Josh Lawhon who had attended the event at Jason’s home reached out to Elliot Seidler of Civic Brewing to see if they could perform there.
With one day to plan and get the word out, the stage was set and Elliot was even able to put up Ukranian colored lights of blue and yellow to make them feel welcome and arranged for the Mill House food truck to come and offer food. Lawhorn stated putting the word out, making calls to let people know of the wonderful cultural entertainment opportunity taking place.
Each of the performers were professional musicians before joining the military in Ukraine. After being wounded on the front line they are now a part of the Cultural Forces Military. They provide the troops improved morale and provide psychological support to the soldier in combat and recovery zones.
This group has performed over 500 frontline performances and 200 events in the U.S., typically performing several times a day,
The Press Attache Valery Shyrokov stated they are headed to the West Coast after leaving Florida. Shyrokov seemed very humbled and appreciated the welcome from all the people in Sopchoppy and Wakulla.
“Everyone has been very welcoming, and all the heartwarming people in this area,” he said. “All with big smiles and big hearts. and the accomodations were just beautiful and we appreciate everything that everone one here have done for us.”
Shyrokov added: “Our detour here was due to Mr. Milton but was a gift from God.”
After the performance, Shyrokov thanked everyone for coming out and thanked the US for the support. “Without the support of the U.S. we will no longer exist,” he said.
This is the second music tour by this group, the first covered the northern states, this one to the Southern portion of the US began in September and will end in November.
The tour includes performances in Washington, D.C., Richmond, Virginia, Charlotte, North Carolina; Columbia, South Carolina; Atlanta, Miami, Tampa, and Orlando, Montgomery, Alabama, Jackson, Mississippi; New Orleans, Houston, Austin, Dallas and Amarillo, Texas.
