ORLYK was founded in 1948 in Manchester. They are a representative dance ensemble for the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain.

In 1991 they toured the Ukraine for the first time every. While dancing on stage there on August 24, the Central Council announced independence in the Ukraine.

It was a very emotional time for all Ukrainians. The concert itself was stopped and the co-ordinator came on stage to make the announcement. The audience and dancers were all crying.

They have toured America and Canada twice before, and have just returned from the Folk Festival in Barcelona.

The group have appeared throughout Europe at various festivals -- most notably at Llangollen in Wales where they won first prize in the folk dance competition.

They have also performed before HRH Princess Margaret at the Royal Albert Hall in London, and the Pope in Rome.

The concert on August 24, during the Bolton Festival, will coincide with the 10th anniversary of the Ukraine Declaration of Independence. Choices of the stars make for sweet music EVERYONE has a favourite song, poem or piece of prose that reminds them of a special occasion, event, or just simply a time in their life, and the famous are no exception. The Bolton Festival has invited prominent sons and daughters of Bolton to share their favourites with everyone.

Celebrity Choice is an evening of words and music selected by such famous names as Sir Ian McKellan, Sam Allardyce, Geoffrey Moorhouse and Fred Dibnah, compared by Jean Hansen, and will be performed during this year's festival on Thursday, August 30, at 7.30pm in St Andrew's & St George's Church, St George's Road. Tickets £7 from the Festival Box Office 01204 334400.

Fred Dibnah has chosen "Don't Cry For Me Argentina", Sam Allardyce, looking into the future, "We Are The Champions", and journalist, novelist and actor Geoffrey Moorhouse will read his own choice from Dylan Thomas. Sir Ian McKellan who began his acting career as a schoolboy in Bolton, where his father was Chief Borough Engineer, has chosen a piece by Gerard Manley Hopkins.

Other choices include Mark Sanders (Marlon in Emmerdale); Doreen Crowther (Bolton Evening News Art Critic for many years); Robert Aston (Chairman of the Bolton Festival Symphony Orchestra) who has selected "Thank You For The Music"; Judge Michael Lever "Why I'd Rather Be A Judge Than A Miner" by Peter Cooke, and Cllr Robert Howarth, Leader of the Council, to name but a few. Even the Mayor, Kevan Helsby has got in the act selecting "Roll Over Beethoven"!

The event has been organised by Boltonian Jean Hansen. Leading local actors and actresses will perform the pieces with the songs sung by Pamela Heywood Connor and Joseph Connor. Jean Hansen took part in a previous Celebrity Choice has a great many acting and producing credits. She is currently the producer for Counterpoint, a group of singers and actors who present work around themes.

Elizabeth Tatman, Chairman of the Bolton Festival, says of Celebrity Choice: "We wrote to a great many well known Bolton personalities, and have received an enthusiastic response from everyone. The result is a rich and diverse programme that will appeal to all, and provide an evening full of unexpected choices and some surprises."

The 2001 Bolton Festival runs from Friday, August 24, to Sunday, September 2. To find out what's on, pick up a brochure from the Albert Halls Ticket Information Centre or visit the Festival website www.boltonfestival.co. uk ORLYK was founded in 1948 in Manchester. They are a representative dance ensemble for the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain.

In 1991 they toured the Ukraine for the first time every. While dancing on stage there on August 24, the Central Council announced independence in the Ukraine.

It was a very emotional time for all Ukrainians. The concert itself was stopped and the co-ordinator came on stage to make the announcement. The audience and dancers were all crying.

They have toured America and Canada twice before, and have just returned from the Folk Festival in Barcelona.

The group have appeared throughout Europe at various festivals -- most notably at Llangollen in Wales where they won first prize in the folk dance competition.

They have also performed before HRH Princess Margaret at the Royal Albert Hall in London, and the Pope in Rome.

The concert on August 24, during the Bolton Festival, will coincide with the10th anniversary of the Ukraine Declaration of Independence.