A fun-filled day of Polish entertainment at Navy Pier with traditional Polish music, dance, arts and crafts and delicacies. This year’s celebration is exceptionally special, as Navy Pier also celebrates the 200th Birthday of Polish composer Frederic Chopin. Come out and enjoy the Polish party!
WHEN: Sunday, Feb. 28, 2010
Noon to 6 p.m.
WHERE: Navy Pier Crystal Gardens, 600 East Grand Avenue, Chicago
ATTRACTIONS:
Schedule subject to change
Noon – Opening Ceremonies – posting of U.S. and Polish colors by members of the Polish Scouting Association of Illinois, singing of both
anthems. Comments from Consul General of Poland Zygmunt Matynia
12:15 p.m.; 1:30 p.m.; 2:15 p.m. – Little Stars Children’s Theater/Warsztaty Teatralne
12:30 p.m.; 2:30 p.m.; 3:45 p.m.; 4:45 p.m. – Lechici Dancers (WICI Dancers
joint performance)
1 p.m.; 3 p.m.; 4:45 p.m. – Soloists from the Lira Ensemble
1:20 p.m.; 2 p.m. – The Pytlik Brothers Polish Folk Band
1:50 p.m.; 3:30 p.m.; 4:30 p.m. – Storyteller Barbara Kozuchowska
5:15 p.m. – Malgorzata Sztwiertnia Jazz Band
PERFORMER BIOS
WICI Song and Dance Company
Magdalena Solarz, Artistic Director & Choreographer
Founded in 1972 in Chicago, the Wici Song and Dance Company’s mission is to promote Polish culture in both the Polish and American communities through authentic song, dance and music. WICI presents Polish folk tradition with a vast repertoire, a beautiful array of authentic costumes, and original choreography. Since 1983, they are the official representative group of the Polish National Alliance, the largest Polish fraternal organization in the U.S. Over the years, WICI have performed at various local, city and state events, throughout Chicago’s neighborhoods, numerous other Illinois cities and towns and several states, as well as in Europe.
Soloists from the Lira Ensemble
Lucyna Migala, Artistic Director and General Manager
The Lira Ensemble is the only professional performing arts company in the U.S. specializing in Polish music, song, and dance. The Lira Singers and Lira Dancers perform in authentic, colorful folk garb from various regions of Poland, in period gowns, or in traditional concert dress, depending on the music performed – and always with English narration, which explains the traditions behind the music and dance presented. The name of the company, “lira,” is the Polish word for “lyre,” a traditional symbol of music. The Ensemble’s performing groups present folk, classical, sacred and new music of Poland, sung in the original language, and Polish folk and court dances. The highly praised Lira company consists of The Lira Singers, Lira Symphony, Lira Dancers, Lira Piano Quintet, Lira String Quartet, Lira Chamber Chorus, and Lira Children’s Chorus – “Dzieci” – who.make about 80 appearances each year, in the Chicago area and around the nation. The Lira Singers have made six concert tours of Poland. Lira has issued nine recordings that are sold nationwide. The Lira Ensemble is artist-in-residence at Loyola University Chicago.
The Pytlik Brothers Polish Folk Band
Originally from Poland, the Pytlik Brothers Polish Folk Band is a group of musicians who perform authentic Polish folk music as it is played in the villages of Poland. They appear in folk garb from the Krakow region of Southern Poland. For the past 25 years, the Pytlik Band has accompanied the Lira Dancers and has toured with the Lira Ensemble across the Midwest. Prior to joining the Lira Ensemble, the band performed with the Polonez Dancers under choreographer Anthony Dobrazanski.
Lechici Dancers
Konrad Wiecek, Artistic Director
Founded in 1965, the Lechici Dancers is the oldest Polish Folk Dance ensemble in the Chicagoland area. The ensemble’s name derives from the legend of Lech, Czech and Rus. According to legend, Lech discovered the territory now known as Poland. His warriors were Lechici—thus the ensemble adopted the name to represent the youth and vitality of Poland’s first warriors. Lechici is the representative ensemble of the Polish Scouting Organization in the USA, a division of Polish Scouting abroad. Lechici members perform the five national dances of Poland, as well as songs and dances from 11 regions of the country. The ensemble places great value in preserving the authenticity of Polish folk culture, including its songs, dances and other folk traditions. Lechici performs approximately 25 times annually at various civic, cultural and social events within the Polish and American communities and has traveled throughout North America, Poland and Belgium.
Małgorzata Sztwiertnia Jazz Band
www.myspace.com/malgorzatasztwiertnia
Małgorzata Sztwiertnia (vocals), Tom Pilewski (drums), Jon Dawson (guitar), Wayne Braxton (bass) and Mike Hanko (piano).
Formed in 2008 by Małgorzata Sztwiertnia, the band is quickly becoming an audience favorite in the Chicago jazz scene. Before moving to the United States in 1997, Małgorzata developed her eclectic vocal style in her native Poland. Małgorzata has studied at the Old Town School of Folk Music and recently performed to great acclaim at the All Souls’ Jazz Fest (Zaduszki Jazzowe) in Chicago in 2008 and 2009.
Little Stars Children’s Theater/Warsztaty Teatralne
Agata Paleczny, Director
For the past six years, the Little Stars Children’s Theatre Workshop has helped children develop skills and connect with the Polish language, literature and culture. Consisting of more than 70 young actors ranging in age from three to 14 years old, the shows blend wonderful texts and music, brilliant choreography and bright rich costumes. Agata Paleczny is the founder and director of Little Stars as well as an ensemble performer. An actress by profession, she has appeared on the cabaret stage of “Bocian” and served as the host of the children’s TV show “Dobranoc.”
Storyteller Barbara Kozuchowska
Actress and radio/TV host Barbara Kozuchowska incorporates history, legend, and entertainment into her dynamic storytelling. She has been involved in the cultural life of the Polish-American community for many years, directing the children’s theater group “Zespol” for more than 16 years and also co-hosting the first Polish language television show outside Poland, “The Bob Lewandowski Show.” She currently co-hosts a radio show, “To I Owo-Tu I Tam” on WPNA 1490 AM and volunteers at the Polish Museum of America.
