The Polish American Folk Dance Company Presents 70th Anniversary Concert

For the past 70 years, The Polish American Folk Dance Company has graced the stage with its impressive,
energetic performances of authentic Polish folk songs, dances and skits. This dance company with its longstanding
tradition of cultivating Poland’s folk culture will on November 15, 2008 celebrate by hosting its 70th Anniversary concert on Broadway titled “Celebrating the past 70 years, dancing into the future!”. To commemorate the wide range of songs and dances it has performed over the past 70 years, The Polish American Folk Dance Company will showcase 3 generations of dancers which include a children’s group, a junior group, a chorus and the adult group.

This milestone event, designed for everyone’s enjoyment, will take you on a festive tour of Poland’s rich, folkloric heritage with vivid representations of its diverse regions. There will be a variety of dances presented from the slow-paced, graceful polonaise, to a vibrant, flowing mazurka to an energetic “Goralski” or highlander dance that promises to reverberate from the stage to the seat. This concert is the perfect opportunity to experience the excitement that is Polish folklore. All are invited to this spectacular event to join in the celebration of dance, song, music, and culture.

The Polish American Folk Dance Company, based in Brooklyn, New York, enjoys a worldwide reputation as an energetic Polish dance and music ensemble that strives to preserve authenticity in its repertoire. The company boasts more than 50 active members from age 5 to adulthood. The dancers bring their own individual dance experiences to the group, which creates a company as colorful as the many brilliant costumes they wear.

Furthermore, the dancers contribute a range of unique, personal talents that help support the intense, year-round performance schedule.
Artistically, The Polish American Folk Dance Company prides itself with a current repertoire of over 30 folk dances. While this past summer, the company invited two guest choreographers from Poland, Magdalena Ciastek-Zalipska and Piotr Zalipski of the world-renowned “Mazowsze” folk dance ensemble, to conduct an intense, two-week dance workshop. Through the workshop, five additional dance numbers were added to the already extensive program. These newly choreographed dances will be debuted at the 70th anniversary concert performance. Additionally, the Polish American Folk Dance Company proudly maintains a sizeable costume wardrobe of over 600 pieces. Most of these resplendent costumes are hand-embroidered and made in Poland. The elaborate array of spectacular colors and textures vividly enhances the aesthetic mood and language of each dance.

Under the direction of newly appointed Executive Director Margaret (Gosia) Pawelkiewicz, Artistic Director Ryszard Sudol, and Assistant to PAFDC Kids Alice Karpinski-Bajno, the company strives to preserve its strong foundation steeped in tradition while anticipating the future with eager enthusiasm. Margaret, Ryszard and Alice hope to continue promoting the magnificent songs, dances, and folk culture of Poland well into the 21st century. “Our dance group is a wonderful experience. You can learn to dance, have fun, learn about our culture, perform on stage, travel nationally and beyond” says Margaret Pawelkiewicz. “This is a hobby for all of us and yet it is so much more.”

Ticket prices are $20 for adults and $15 for children under 12, students, and seniors. Tickets are available at the Symphony Space Box Office located at 2537 Broadway, New York, NY 10025; online at www.symphonyspace.org or 212 864-5400. Additionally tickets will be available soon at the Polish National Home, 261 Driggs Ave, Brooklyn, NY at 718-387-0505 and MegaPol Music, 661 Manhattan Ave, Brooklyn, NY at 718-389-0202 or through PAFDC at 718-907-6199. This concert will entertain all viewers, young and old, Polish and non-Polish alike.

Zapraszamy!!
Visit us at brand new website at www.pafdc.org
If you'd like more information about this event, please call
Magda Kras at 718-907-6199