SCHENECTADY - Thursday, November 18

REVIEW: Arts Talk  by Tresca Weinstein - Time Union http://blog.timesunion.com/localarts/masowsze-proctor’s-theatre-111810/9881/
REVIEW: 

Polish ensemble Mazowsze professional and 

endearingly 

innocent b

y Wendy Liberatore Daily 

Gazette  

http://www.dailygazette.com/news/2010/nov/19/1119_rev/

Schenectady – 18.listopada

Ziemia Irokezów

Schau-naugh-ta-da oznacza w języku Indian "nad sosnową równiną." To XVII
wieczne miasto założone zostało przez plemię Irokezów, ale to nie jedyna
ciekawostka –  w 1892 roku Thomas Edison założył tu General Electric
Company.

Choć na widowni nie było indiańskich wojowników (jedynie członek ekipy
technicznej Proctor's Theater miał czapkę z irokezem),  a i nasze twarze
nie były blade (bajecznie kolorowe), mieliśmy komplet – ponad tysiąc
widzów.

-- Michał Haber, Mazowsze vocalist

Translation:

Land of the Iroquois Land 

The name Schenectady is believed to be derived from the Indian Iroquois word "Schau-naugh-ta-da," which is translated to "over the pine plains." In the seventeenth century the city was founded by a tribe of the Iroquois, but that i snot the only interesting fact - in 1892 Thomas Edison founded the General Electric Company. 

Although the audience was not Indian warriors (although a single of the member of the Proctor's Theater technical crew did wear a cap with a mohawk), and even our faces were not pale (but very colorful), we had a complement of over a thousand spectators

Mazowsze's view - only it is dark and audience-filled

Historic Proctor's Theatre

AMHERST, MA - Wednesday, November 17

Songs from Raciborz

Translation below
Amherst – 17.listopada
Centrum w centrum

Sala Fine Arts Center położona jest w samym środku kampusu studenckiego
University of Massachusetts. Jednak na czas koncertu kampus zajęli rodowici mieszkańcy tych terenów...srebrne wiewiórki i dzikie gęsi. Studenci poszli na "Mazowsze".


Widownia w Amherst była wyjątkowo wymagająca, gdyż poza studentami
wydziału muzycznego (wszyscy studenci mieli zniżkowe bilety), była ponad
dwustuosobowa grupa Polonii.   

-- Michał Haber, Mazowsze vocalist

Dances of the Zywiec Townspeople

Translation:
Center in the center. 
The Fine Arts Center is located in the middle of the student campus at the University of Massachusetts. However, at the time the concert took place,  native inhabitants of the area's terrain overtook the campus ... silver squirrels and wild geese. The students went to see "Mazowsze". 


The audience at Amherst was extremely demanding, because outside of the music department students (all students received discounted tickets), there were over two hundred Poles in attendance.

Backstage in Lowicz costume before the final song selections

UTICA, NY - Tuesday, November 16

English Translation follows
Utica – 16.listopada
Rozśpiewana widownia w Utica.

Owacje na stojąco i prawie trzy tysięczny chór widzów śpiewający z nami
wiązankę popularnych melodii amerykańskich. To wrażenia z ostatniego
koncertu 16.listopada.

Stylizowana barokowa architektura Stanley Theater to wyjątkowe i efektowne
miejsce na spektakl.  Na tej scenie występują najróżniejsze formacje artystyczne, ale nasza "rewia" wzbudziła ogromne zainteresowanie.

Mieszkańcy Utica szczególnym względem darzą Polaków. W pobliżu Stanley
Theater znajduje się pomnik Mikołaja Kopernika autorstwa prof. Bogdana
Chmielewskiego.

Copernicus monument - Utica, NY

Od teraz "Mazowsze" będzie darzyć sympatią mieszkańców Utica, gdyż pomnik
Tadeusza Sygietyńskiego w karolińskim parku jest także autorstwa prof.
Chmielewskiego. 

-- Michał Haber, Mazowsze vocalist

Translation:
A Singing Audience in Utica

Standing ovations and a three thousand choir of spectators sang with us the medley of popular American melodies.  Those are the impressions of our most recent concert.


The stylized baroque architecture of the Stanley theater makes it an unique and effective performance venue. Many famous artists have graced this stage, but our "revue" aroused an immense interest.

Sygietynski monument - Karolin, Poland

The residents of Utica a special sentiment towards Poles. Near the Stanley Theater is a monument to Poland's famed astronomer, Nicolaus Copernicus sculpted by  Bogdan Chmielewski.  


From this point forth "Mazowsze" will have a special bond and connection with the residents of Utica, as the monument of our founder Tadeusz Sygietyński located in the park of our compound/headquarters in Karolin is also designed by Professor Chmielewski. 


UTICA

Utica Polish Festival

Polish Community

Utica's Miss Polonia 2007

   Utica has had a very large Polish population, when large numbers of Poles emigrated to the United States during the late 1800s and early 1900s. 

Monte Casino honored

Polish Legion of American Veterans Post 8 Ladies Auxiliary

Kopernik monument
   The Mikolaj Kopernik monument, located in a small park on Genesee Street across from Fountain Elms in Utica, NY, honors the "Father of Modern Astronomy," known to Americans as Nicolaus Copernicus.  He reformed astronomy and initated modern science by putting an end to the belief that the earth was the heavenly center of the universe. 

   Copernicus pointed out that the sun was the center of of the planetary system and instead of being stationary the earth revolved around the sun in the course of a year while rotating once every 24 hours about the axis. This thinking might have appeared somewhat strange to some in his day, even a bit radical. Right before he died, in 1543, his book was published, titled -- "De revolutionibus orbium coelestium" (On the Revolutions of the Celestrial Speres), which is often regarded as the starting point of modern astronomy. He was born in Torun, Poland in 1473. He was also a mathematician, physician, artist, clasical scholar, dipomat and an economist.

The Stanley Theatre

   The Stanley Theatre opened September 10, 1928, as a silent moviehouse and has been the premier showplace for Central New York ever since. Over the years, it has gone through several changes of ownership, but has always been affiliated with Warner Brothers Pictures. Originally owned by the Stanley-Mark Strand Corporation chain, the Stanley Theatre (and entire movie theatre chain) was purchased three days before its 1928 opening by Warner Brothers, eager to showcase its product on as many screens as possible.

   Thomas Lamb, a prolific theatre architect, designed this 2,963 seat movie palace for the Mastbaum chain of theatres. The theatre was named for Stanley, one of the Mastbaum brothers. 
   The Stanley was built in less than 13 months on the expanding southern edge of downtown, some four blocks away from Utica’s theatre district. Unfortunately, all the theatres located there were razed during the Urban Renewal era of the 1960s and 70s. 
The Stanley remained open through all of this, though it suffered many years of benign neglect. In 1974, when 

the threat of destruction became very real, the Central New York Community Arts Council spearheaded a campaign to acquire the property, which it did for $135,000.

   Over $5.5 million has been spent to date on its brilliant restoration.  Since its purchase, it has upgraded all mechanical, electrical, and safety systems and is continuing to provide technical improvements to accommodate the many touring shows and artists that appear on its stage.
   The design motif of the Stanley Theatre is dubbed “Mexican Baroque” because of its unique blend of styles. The terra cotta and tiled mosaic exterior shows the 

Mexican influence, while Hapsburg lions, Indian faces, and a multitude of angels and cherubs grace the lavish gold leaf Baroque theatre interior. 

   Moorish influence is also evident in the star-splashed ceiling and twisted columns flanking the stage. There is even an art-deco look to some of the drapery treatments in the organ boxes.  Legend has it that the grand entry staircase was designed to resemble the main staircase on the Titanic ocean liner.
   Meyda Tiffany, a leading manufacturer of decorative lighting, has just installed the The World's Largest LED Chandelier.

   Today the theater is host to the Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute Great Artists Series; Broadway Theatre League; Utica Symphony; and the Mohawk Valley Ballet.
   Notable early performers included legendary singers Marian Anderson, Ezio Pinza, and Jeanette 

MacDonald. Later illustrious entertainers included Diana Ross, Barry Manilow, and Harry Connick Jr. The Stanley was also host to multiple appearances by Wynton Marsalis, George Carlin, and Itzhak Perlman. More recent performances include Aretha Franklin, BB King, The Indigo Girls, Judy Collins and legendary songwriter Burt Bacharach. Additionally, the Broadway Theatre League brought in National Touring productions of Cats, Annie, Evita, Sweeney Todd, and Barnum, just to name a few.

TRAVEL DAY: to Utica - Monday, November 15

Michał Haber, a vocalist with Mazowsze, who is also in the position of Public Relations and spokesman for the company will assume the role of providing daily information about Mazowsze on Tour.  He is traveling with his wife vocal soloist Katarzyna Haber.

Civil War Monument

Bank Place

PHILADELPHIA - Sunday, November 14

REVIEW:  Polish American Journal's December issue.
The expanded review is on the web: 

Mazowsze -A Nod to the Past with a Look to the Future by Staś Kmieć

http://pajtoday.blogspot.com/2010/11/blog-post_15.html

Mazowsze Tour's Premiere Performance
Text and additional photos to follow

Filadelfia – 14.listopada

Polish Folk dance sensation "Mazowsze" returns to Philadelphia – tak zapowiadano nasz koncert. Sensacją byliśmy niewątpliwie. Pierwszy koncert tego tournée za nami. Sala Kimmel Center wypełniona była po brzegi - 2500 widzów!

Mimo nietypowych warunków, jak na widowisko taneczne (filharmoniczny układ widowni), koncert przyjęto z entuzjazmem i ...wzruszeniem. Najpiękniejsze polskie kolędy wprowadziły widzów w nastrój zbliżających się Świąt Bożego Narodzenia, a wir kolorów dodał tym emocjom ekspresji. Trudno ocenić, które choreografie wzbudzały największy podziw, które kostiumy podobały się najbardziej. Jedno jest pewne – polski folklor poraz kolejny pokonał barierę językową. Przed nami koncert w Utica.

-- Michał Haber, a vocalist with Mazowsze

Translation:

Polish Folk dance sensation "Mazowsze" returns to Philadelphia - is how our concert was announced. Were undoubtedly sensational. It is the first concert of this tour for us. The hall of the Kimmel Center was filled to capacity - 2500 viewers! 

1st concertmaster: Błażej Sroczyński prepares

Although these were unusual conditions, for a dance spectacle (the circular layout for a philharmonic audience), the concert was received with enthusiasm and emotion .... The most beautiful Polish carols put viewers in the mood for the upcoming Christmas holiday, and a whirl of color added the emotions expressed. It is difficult to assess which aroused the greatest admiration the choreography or the costumes?  One thing is certain - Polish folklore once again overcame the language barrier - its simply universal. Ahead of us is a concert in Utica, NY.












Mezzo-Soprano Dorota Kasterska with fiancée Dance soloist Bogusław Topajew, concertmaster Błażej Sroczyński with violinist Paulina Ryjak outside of the Doubletree Hotel on So. Broad St.

PHILADELPHIA - Saturday, November 13

report from Staś Kmieć


On their day off in Philadelphia, in order to adapt to the time difference and the effects of jet-lag before embarking on their 20-city North American tour., many member of Mazowsze were eager to visit Philadelphia's Liberty Bell - not for its historical significance, but because the Liberty Bell and its inscription figured prominently in the in the plot of the 2004 adventure thriller National Treasure: Book of Secrets starring Nicolas Cage.  In Poland the film was called Skarb Narodów: Księga Tajemnic.


According to legend, the Liberty Bell was first struck on July 8, 1776, as a call to the citizens of Philadelphia to the reading of the Declaration of Independence. It is also said that the bell was rung in 1774 to announce the meeting of the First Continental Congress, as well as in 1775 after the battles of Lexington and Concord. Although it is disputed as to whether or not the bell was rung at each and every one of these events, it is nevertheless quite clear that what started out as a simple court house tower bell has now become an international symbol of freedom.

The Liberty Bell inscription is a quote from the Bible: “Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof" —Lev. XXV, v.x.

After a company meeting to surrender passports for Social Security purposes, the company made a trip to a nearby Walmart to seek supplies, like water, juice, bananas, grapes and other items to have in their hotels and for the bus travel from city-to-city.  

Vocal soloist Filip Micek shopping in Walmart

Everyday low prices at Walmart

According to the current travel restrictions, the company was only allowed to bring only one suitcase.  This will make bus travel easier, but places a burden on the members regarding daily supplies.  Mazowsze also needed to purchase basic items for their backstage preparation such as hairspray (they use TRESemmé aerosol) and Kleenex tissues.
The Walmart was not a Super-Walmart and was limited regarding food purchases.  In search of fresh bread and produce, the company venture across the parking lot to Super Fresh supermarket.  They noticed that the prices for items was higher, but they also found certain products that they needed.  Despite the expense, the variety was more extensive.  Some ventured to the electronics department to begin checking out prices and new products.  Again they await a more extensive selection later in the tour at either a Super-Walmart or Best Buy. 

Upon return many ventured for a night out and continued walking tour of Philadelphia.  Conductor Bogusław Kręgielewski headed to hear a concert by the Philadelphia Philharmonic - which he considered a "once in a lifetime opportunity."


Additions to this entry will be made.

South Broad St. from the Hotel window

MAZOWSZE ARRIVES! - Friday, November 12

Arrival at JFK Airport, New York

Text to follow

First Impressions - the Homeless

City Hall

City Hall

Unloading the buss

"Night out on the Town" - South Broad St.