COMING UP: First-ever Mazowsze Dance Workshop in Youngstown, Ohio

You've always wanted to dance with Mazowsze... now here's your chance!

Coming back after a 30-year Valley hiatus, the world–renowned group has selected Youngstown, Ohio for its first-ever, public workshop in the United States. That evening, the 18-piece orchestra and 20-member choral ensemble will be performing a program of kolędy Polish Christmas carols at the Polish Arts Club of Youngstown Annual Wigilia Dinner at The Youngstown Club.


Registration form:
http://www.polishyoungstown.com/pdf/bwrregform.pdf

Folk Dance and Choral Workshop
Sunday, December 5th  (12-5 PM) 

Witold Zapała rehearses Mazowsze

The 5-hour session will not only introduce participants to the creative minds that make this magnificent group legendary, but also provide them with the practical information and step work they can incorporate into your own troupes, choirs and children’s groups when they return home. The event is open to dancers and singers of every kind and level,and already attracted participants from throughout the nation.

The instructors will include: Witold Zapała - Chief Choreographer and Artistic Visionary, Artistic Director Ryszard Grąbkowski, Wioletta Milczuk - Company Ballet Mistress, Mariusz Kolinko - Choral Director, Krzysztof Kurlej - Head of the Production Office, and American Staś Kmieć – U.S. Mazowsze spokesman, NYC theater/dance choreographer and PBS Polish culture expert; along with dancers from the company.

Schedule includes:

• "Meet Mazowsze" - the colorful story behind the legendary company
• "A Peek Behind the Curtain" - practical tips, recreating costumes; authentic vs. stylization
• Children's Workshop - Łowicz and Podhale mountain regions; Chodzony, "Łowiczanka Jestem," Polka Drygana and the Opoczno Tramblanka
• Choral Workshop - Vocalization and singing tips, plus arrangements of "Szła dzieweczka" and "Cieszyn Medley"
• Adult Workshop - Szczawnica and Podhale mountain regions, and the Łowicz Oberek Finale

PBS Polish Culture expert Staś Kmieć 

The schedule will include: children's and adult dance, choral, orchestral, instrumental and lecture sessions. Costs are $75 for adults, $35 for students (18 and under or with valid college ID) and  $25 for observers. 

Registration is limited, but spots are still available. Learn more about all the events at www.balletwesternreserve.org.  For more information call 330-744-1934.

Wigilia with Mazowsze - Sunday, December 5th 

Sunday evening, the 18-piece orchestra and 20-piece choral will be performing as the entertainment at the Polish Arts Club of Youngstown Annual Wigilia Dinner at The Youngstown Club. Listen to a sample here. This event is open to the public. 

Tickets are $35 pp for adults and $15 pp for child. http://www.polishyoungstown.com/pdf/maz4.pdf

Mazurka and Polish Character Dance

Saturday, December 4th - In conjunction with the  tour of Mazowsze, NYC choreographer Staś Kmieć will be in town and has agreed to share his skills in open workshops with for regional dancers.

11:30 AM - as a trained instructor of The New York City Ballet Workout, Staś will teach a ballet fitness master class (perfect for the serious folk dancer) that focuses on traditional ballet moves with Pilates and yoga stretches, and incorporates high-impact choreographed dance combinations, inspired by the Ballet repertoire in a fun and sweaty format. The session is open to the general public is only $10 for the 1.5 hour session

2:00 PM - Staś Kmieć with teach a master class in the national dance Mazurka and Polish Character Dance at Ballet Western Reserve. Learn the dashing Mazurka, the elegant Polonaise and vivacious Krakowiak, along with exciting folkloric jumps and turns.

Trained in Poland and an American.authority on Polish dance (character, period, national and folk) and culture, Kmieć has danced with the Rudolf Nureyev, the Boston Ballet and the Metropolitan Opera Ballet; toured internationally and performed on Broadway.. He has worked with Polish American dance groups including Chicago's Lira Ensemble, The Alliance College Kujawiaki and the 250 members of The Orange County Onion Harvest Festival and the Lubliniacy Polish Song and Dance Ensemble, which he is the founder of.  He has choreographed musicals, films, plays, ballets and operas.  

Cleveland Performance
Monday, December 6th -  the entire Mazowsze troupe will be performing at the State Theatre in Cleveland. PolishYoungstown has reserved a bloc of special tickets that include a cast party with the Mazowsze after the show.

For more information on all these events check: www.polishyoungstown.com.