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Polish dance celebration is Sunday
Published online on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2009
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The Pulaski Polish Dancers of Fresno are hosting folk ensembles from Toronto and San Francisco at "Dance Poland!" -- a celebration of dance, music and song, at 2 p.m. Sunday at Veterans Memorial Auditorium, 2425 Fresno St. in Fresno.
The event features the Bialy Orzel/White Eagle Polish Song and Dance Ensemble from Toronto and the Lowiczanie Polish Folk Ensemble from San Francisco.
We caught up via e-mail with Andrea Collins, the director of Pulaski Polish Dancers of Fresno, to learn more about the event:
Question: Tell me a little more about the local Fresno dancers participating in the event. Are they part of a certain performance group?
Answer: We are the Pulaski Polish Dancers of Fresno and have been in existence as a nonprofit group for about 30 years. It was started by Bob and Ruth Kazmier (my father and mother) and Wanda Russell when my father was in his 70s. He was our instructor until his early 90s when he passed the baton to me.
What's the age range?
It has always been multi- generational with a current age range of 18-72. Some of the more rigorous dances are performed by our 18-26 year olds.
How long have they been studying Polish dancing?
Many have danced since age 5 with some learning in more recent years. Through the Polish National Alliance, Polish dance instructors across the U.S. meet every July to learn authentic national and regional dances to teach to their respective dance ensembles.
If you've never been to a Polish dance festival before, what can you expect?
Our "Dance Poland!" performance will enchant the audience with a variety of dance and music styles: from a regal polanaise to lively mountain dances where men slap their boots, fly through the air, jump over hats and generally try to out-do one another in feats of one-upmanship.
What's the most difficult dance move that people will see?
The men receive great applause performing their acrobatic feats like jumping over their hats and maneuvering across one another in push-up positions. But actually the synchronization of the dancers rotating together around the stage in intricate choreography with aerial lifts is quite amazing!
How active is the Polish cultural community in the Fresno area?
With this "Dance Poland!" performance and banquet following at the Radisson, we are celebrating our Polish National Alliance Lodge #3089's 60th anniversary in the Central Valley. We gather together four times a year for a Christmas party, Easter blessing, summer picnic and fall celebration and have lodge meetings in between.
Is it mostly longtime Americans or recent immigrants?
We have a wonderful mix of recent immigrants and longtime American residents so you will hear Polish spoken or sung at every gathering.
The reporter can be reached at dmunro@fresnobee.com or (559) 441-6373. Read his blog at fresnobeehive.com/author/ donald_munro.
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