There were six of us who made the journey to Poland. Frank Mecham, Steve Cass, Paula O’Farrell, Rachel Hamilton, Marek Zebrowski and myself. We were lucky enough to be staying at the Le Bristol Meridien, which was built and owned by I.J. Paderewski, and sits literally right next door to the Presidential Palace. We walked next door, went through security, and were ushered into a waiting area just outside the Blue Salon of the Palace. We were told that we’d probably only have 15 or 20 minutes with the First Lady. Soon we were met by her Chief of Staff, Izabela Tomaszewska, and the First Lady, Maria Kaczyńska. She greeted each of us by name and mentioned something unique to each of us (and she spoke good English). She must have done her homework. The first thing she said to me as she shook my hand was “your grandmother must be so proud!”. It was such a wonderful and special moment, as my grandmother, Virginia Peterson, founded the Paderewski Festival in 1991. We all sat for tea in the Blue Salon and talked about Paderewski, the festival, Paso Robles, her travels and so many other topics. That lasted at least 45 minutes before we went out to the balcony for photos. At that point, Frank Mecham presented her with our official gifts – wine from Paso Robles, a city pin from Paso Robles and a clock. She also gave each of us gifts from her and we took photos. It was truly a special experience, as we spent over an hour with Ms. Kaczyńska and her staff. They were gracious, smart, inquisitive and eager to learn more about our goals for the Paderewski Festival in Paso Robles. I will never forget that day.
Marek knew other people on the plane as well and has been fielding calls since Saturday morning. His work with the government in Poland is one of the keys to success for our Festival and my heart aches over the sorrow he and others are feeling. It is truly not only a national tragedy for Poland, but one for the world. I was just in Poland two weeks ago, working to get our wines imported to Poland and met with the US Ambassador and his wife at his residence in Warsaw. It is truly surreal to see the images of thousands of people mourning where I was walking just days ago.
To see the article about our trip, please visit our news page of our website http://www.paderewskifest.com/news_20080708.html
As you know, we are holding a special fundraising concert and wine-tasting on Saturday, April 24 at Pear Valley Winery in Paso Robles. All the funds will go to the cultural exchange program for the festival which sends students from Paso Robles to Poland and visa versa. Marek is composing a special piece just for the event, that will be dedicated to the First Lady. We will have three Polish dignitaries here for the week who will be our guests of honor. We will be hosting two Polish students to San Luis Obispo county in November for our festival. Call or email me with any questions. Thanks for all your support, phone calls and emails over the past few days.
Joel Peterson
President Paderewski Festival Board
The Board of Directors of the Paderewski Festival in Paso Robles Announce
A Toast To Paderewski
Presented by the BackRoads Wineries
Saturday, April 24, 2010 at 6 p.m.
Pear Valley Winery
4900 Union Road, Paso Robles, CA 93446
Tickets: $75 per person; $25 for youth under 21
Proceeds to benefit students in
the Paderewski Festival Exchange Program with Tarnów, Poland
Tickets and Information at: www.paderewskifest.com or call (805) 227-2888
Come raise a toast to Paderewski’s 150th Birthday with 20 Back Roads Wineries pouring, Polish-themed delicacies and a very special concert on Saturday, April 24 at the Pear Valley Winery in Paso Robles.
The Paderewski Festival and the Back Roads Wineries of Paso Robles invite lovers of fine wine and music to a reception showcasing the wines of the Back Roads Wineries complemented by Polish-themed appetizers provided by Cass Catering. Pianist Marek Zebrowski, a Steinway artist and director of the Polish Music Center at the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music, will be joined by the Midnight Winds to perform a special concert featuring works by Paderewski, Chopin and Mozart. A live auction of private concerts, premium wines and vacation package getaways will follow the concert.
Proceeds from the event will benefit the Paderewski Festival Exchange Program for young musicians. Paso Robles and Tarnów, Poland signed a sister city agreement in November 2008 to explore cultural, educational and business opportunities between the two cities that share historical ties to Ignacy Jan Paderewski. In 2010, two Polish students from Tarnów will be coming to Paso Robles in November to perform during the Paderewski Festival and to participate in master classes with previous winners of the Paderewski Youth Piano Competition.
Admission for “Toast to Paderewski” is $75 per person; $25 for youth under 21. Tickets may be purchased at www.paderewskifest.com, any participating Back Roads Winery, or by calling (805) 227-2888.
Back Roads Wineries is a consortium of 20 boutique vineyards located between Paso Robles and Crestonand specializing in creating unique, handcrafted, limited edition wines. More information about Back Roads Wineries is available at: www.backroadswineries.com.
The Paderewski Festival in Paso Robles is a non-profit organization that sponsors an annual series of concerts featuring internationally acclaimed artists, the Paderewski Youth Piano Competition and Exchange Program, and other Paderewski-themed events.
The 2010 Paderewski Festival will be held in a number of venues in Paso Robles and vicinity from November 11-14. Concerts of solo piano and chamber music, an exhibit of Paderewski memorabilia, celebrations of local young musicians and lectures by Paderewski experts are planned to celebrate the composer’s 150th Birthday. Please see the Festival Website, www.paderewskifest.com, for details and schedule of events.
Event details:
Date: April 24, 2010
Time: Wine Reception: 6-8 p.m.
Concert: 8 p.m.
Live Auction: 9 p.m.
Address: Pear Valley Winery, 4900 Union Road, Paso Robles, CA
Admission: $75; $25 for youth under 21
Tickets: www.paderewskifest.com
(805) 227-2888, or any Back Roads Wineries
For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit www.paderewskifest.com or call (805) 227-2888.
Polish Music Center USC