PERFORMANCE: Śląsk Tour Update

Dates are posted for Philadelphia and Pittsburgh performances and specific contacts for each venue on the Fall tour.

Joanna Trzeciak - Found in Translation Winner

MUSIC: Warsaw Philharmonic on US Tour

The Warsaw Philharmonic, one of Poland's largest and premier musical institutions, returns to the United States under the direction of Antoni Wit with a 17-concert US tour that began in Worcester, MA and ends in San Francisco. The orchestra will be joined by 25-year-old Yulianna Avdeeva, the 2010 winner of the 16th International Fryderyk Chopin Competition in Warsaw – the first woman to win this competition in 45 years.

   The Warsaw National Philharmonic Orchestra (Orkiestra Filharmonii Narodowej w Warszawie was established in 1901 on the initiative of an assembly of Polish aristocrats and financiers, as well as musicians. The first concert featured the world-famous pianist, composer and future statesman Ignacy Jan Paderewski.  Between 1901 and the outbreak of World War II in 1939, outstanding soloists and conductors from all over the world performed with the orchestra.

   World War II interrupted the Philharmonic's activity and robbed the orchestra of much of its prominence in European musical life. The orchestra lost half its members to the war, as well as its elegant building, modeled after the Paris Opera.  Although the orchestra resumed its regular season in 1947-48, it had to wait until 1955 for its home to be finally rebuilt in a new style. When the building was dedicated on February 21, the Philharmonic was proclaimed the “National Orchestra of Poland.” 

   The conductor Witold Rowicki was responsible for helping modernize the ensemble and ensuring the orchestra cultivated Polish music both old and recent, while refining its mastery of the world repertoire. Apart from outstanding Polish artists, the Warsaw Philharmonic has hosted many eminent artists from
all over the world.

   In addition to its concerts already performed in Worcester-MA, Greenvale, NY and New Brunswick, NJ the following is a schedule of upcoming concert appearances:

·         Amherst, MA - October 22, 7:30 pm (6:30 pm: pre-performance talk): Fine Arts Center Concert Hall at University Of Massachusetts – 151 Presidents Drive; www.fineartscenter.com (presented by University of Massachusetts Amherst Fine Arts Center and the Polish Cultural Institute New York)

·         Storrs, CT - October 23, 7:30 pm: Jorgensen Auditorium at University of Connecticut – 2132 Hillside Rd.; www.jorgensen.uconn.edu

·         Annapolis, MD - October 25, 7:30 pm: Alumni Hall at United States Naval Academy; www.usna.edu/Music

·         Lansdale, PA - October 27, 8:00 pm: North Penn High School – 1340 Valley Forge Rd.

·         Purchase, NY - October 28, 3:00 pm: The Performing Arts Center at Purchase College – 735 Anderson Hill Rd.; www.artscenter.org

·         Troy, NY - October 29, 7:30 pm: Troy Savings Bank Music Hall – 32 Second Street; www.troymusichall.org

·         Athens, GA - November 1, 8:00 pm: Hugh Hodgson Hall – 230 River Rd.; www.pac.uga.edu

·         Atlanta, GA - November 2, 8:00 pm: Schwartz Center for Performing Arts/Cherry Logan Emerson Concert Hall – 1700 North Decatur Rd. NE; www.arts.emory.edu

·         Charleston, SC - November 3, 7:00 pm: Sottile Theater at College of Charleston – 66 George St.; sottile.cofc.edu

·         Gainesville, FL - November 4, 7:30 pm: Curtis M. Phillips Arts Center – 315 Hull Rd.; performingarts.ufl.edu

·         Aliso Viejo, CA - November 7, 8:00 pm: Soka Performing Arts Center – 1 University Drive; www.soka.edu

·         Northridge, CA - November 8, 8:00 pm: Valley Performing Arts Center – 18111 Nordhoff St.; www.valleyperformingartscenter.org

·         San Francisco, CA -November 11 & 12, 7:00 pm: Davies Symphony Hall – Grove Street at Van Ness Ave.;www.sfsymphony.org

   The program includes: Witold Lutoslawski - Little Suite, Fryderyk Chopin - Piano Concerto No. 2 in F Minor, Op. 21, and Antonin Dvorak - Symphony No. 8 in G Major, Op. 88.

   The tour is under the auspices of Columbia Artists Management Inc; for more information: www.cami.com.

OHIO - PolishYoungstown Celebrates Heritage Month

In 2012, Polish Americans will mark the 31^st Anniversary of the founding of Polish American Heritage Month, an event, which began in Philadelphia, PA, and became a national celebration of Polish history, culture and pride.

   PolishYoungstown in Youngstown, Ohio is going all out! Here’s the list of the festivities happening to mark this special month:

·         A Communal Sing took place on October 4 at St. Columba Cathedral Choir Loft.  For the past several months, area choirs have been working to create a Marian-themed CD in honor of the dedication. On this night, the general public was invited to perform and record a community version of “Czarna Madonna” to honor the Blessed Mother.

·         Stuffed Cabage Dinner will take place on October 7, hosted by St. Stanislaus Kostka Catholic War Veterans Auxillary

·         PolishYoungstown 4^th Birthday Party will take place on Thursday, October 11,  5:30 – 9:00 pm at Vintage Estate, Boardman, OH.

·         Copernicus and the Universe - Saturday, October 13 1:00, 2:30 & 8:00 pm 
Ward Beecher Planetarium at YSU

·         The Poles in the New World - Author talk and book signing on Sunday, October 14 at  1:00 pm
Our Lady of Hungary Hall on N. Belle Vista, hosted by the Polish Arts Club of Youngstown
Poles of distinction have made great contributions to North American society. From Pulaski, Brzezinski to Martha Stewart and Steve Wozniak.  Broadcaster Edward Zawadzki has authored a book highlighting the lives and contributions of 50 of the most notable Poles.

·         Polska Kuchnia –Vodka Infusion on Sunday, October 14 at 1:00 pm
Our Lady of Hungary Hall on N. Belle Vista
Advance registration is required. For more info call: 330-427-2752

·         Book Discussion: Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen Thursday, October 18 from 7 – 9 pm
In conjunction with the Delta Zeta Book Club at Barnes & Noble in Boardman
Travel back in time with Jacob Jankowski, who as a young Polish American finds himself aboard the rickety train that was home to the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth. Open to the public.

·        Curious About Copernicus - Thursday , October 25 at 4:30 pm
Hosted by the Krakowiaki Polish Folk Circle, in conjunction with Oh Wow! The Roger & Gloria Jones Children’s Center for Science & Technology
During this special after school event, attendees will get to participate in hands-on activities.

·         Departure Mass and Procession - Sunday, October 28 at 10:30 am
St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, Williamson Avenue
In the spirit of the annual pilgrimage to Jasna Gora Shrine in Częstochowa, Poland, following mass at St. Stanislaus, parishioners and other interested participants will drive in procession to carry the mosaic to St. Columba Cathedral.

·         Dedication Mass and Celebration - Tuesday, October 30 at 5:00 pm  Prelude; 5:30 pm Mass - St. Columba Cathedral
There will be prelude performances by Śląsk Song and Dance Ensemble as well as regional choirs.. A celebratory Polish reception will follow catered by Seven Roses Catering. It will include an extended performance by Śląsk Song and Dance Ensemble. Reservations are required; call 330-744-5233.

·         Ongoing all month
Polish Suitcase for Education & Book Displays
In conjunction with the Mahoning Valley Historical Society
A  “suitcase” of artifacts that teachers can use to incorporate Polish items into their classroom, giving the students a hands-on history lesson. Books, maps, costumes, flags, folk art, music CDs, DVD films and much more are in this treasure trove. We also have curricula available here:
- Lesson Plan 1 - The Polish Experience at Jamestown
- Lesson Plan 2 - About Pulaski and Kosciuszko in the American Revolution
- Lesson Plan 3 - World War II - Perspectives on Fear
- Lesson Plan 4 - Nine Days that Changed the World - Story of John Paul II
- Lesson Plan 5 - NCSS 2010 - Linking Cultures and Enriching Lives
Information about Poland - courtesy of SUNY Buffalo

   More information on these and other activities is available at www.polishyoungstown.org or call 330-646-4082.

FEAST DAY