Tickets on Sale Now for Gala Polish Folk Concert

CLEVELAND– It is said that the most compelling element of a people's identity is its folk culture. Historically home to one of the largest Polonia populations in America, Cleveland’s Polish community is respected nationally for its work in promoting ethnic music, dance and costume as art. The authenticity with which its folk groups bring traditional music and dance to the stage is renowned. However these colorful productions are normally done by individual groups. But this month all such groups take to the stage!

Tickets are on sale now for Zatańczmy: A Celebration of Polish Folk Dance will take place on Saturday, November 19th at The Breen Center for Performing Arts at St. Ignatius High School, 2008 West 30th Street, Cleveland, OH. This multigenerational song and dance event will begin at 6 P.M. Tickets for the family-friendly concert are $15.

Zatańczmy (pronounced za-TIENCH-mih) means “dances with us” and it sums up the spirit of joyful collaboration that has brought these eight Polish folk song and dance troupes together to showcase the incredible talents of those involved, says Cathy Piłat Katrenich, artistic director of the 90-minute concert.

“The children, adults and seniors that make up these non-profit groups spend countless hours educating the community by upholding this 1,000-year-old tradition,” says the Brecksville resident who is also director of Living Traditions Folk Ensemble, one of the groups participating in the concert. “They dedicate their time and energy to share their appreciation of authentic Polish folk study with both regional and nation audiences.”

Katrenich says many of the choreographers, including herself, have participated in the triennial Worldwide Festival of Polish Folk Dance in Rzeszow, Poland, exposing them to renowned choreographers as well as performers from around the world.
The participating groups include: Gorale Polish Folk Dancers (Parma); Henryk Sienkiewicz Polish School (Brookpark); Piast Polish Folk Song and Dance Ensemble (Cleveland); Living Traditions Folk Ensemble (Brecksville); Syrena Polish Folk Ensemble (Cleveland); and Krakowiaki Polish Folk Circle (Youngstown).

Special guests this year are the renowned Echoes of Poland from Toledo.

More information is available at www.zatanczmy.org

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