Polish Folk Dance Sensation Mazowsze Debuts at Kimmel Center November 24
November 15, 2007
"It's more than a great festival of music and dance. It's a great, colorful story of Polish folk culture…." –Morning Star, London
A kaleidoscopic display of riveting movement, Polish Folk dance group Mazowsze debuts at the Kimmel Center's Verizon Hall on Saturday, November 24, 2007 at 3pm as part of Kimmel Center Presents’ World & Pop series. Ambassadors of Polish culture, Mazowsze returns to North America after a decade with 100 dancers, over 1,500 costumes, and a dynamic performance of more than fifteen regional Polish folk dance traditions presented on stage. The dance troupe's blend of humor, lyricism and expression has translated Polish folk traditions to the masses since post World-War II, and celebrates Poland's national roots and rich cultural heritage. The program includes the world premiere of songs from Hrubiezow; a national dance from Krakow; carnival-like revelry of the hornpipe in songs from the Kielce region; the spirited oberek from Opoczno; as well as several holiday songs to welcome the coming season.
This concert is the eighth in the World & Pop series scheduled for the Kimmel Center Presents 2007/2008 season sponsored by Citi. The next concert in the series is the Vienna Boys' Choir on Saturday, December 1, 2007 at 3pm.
Tickets for Mazowsze are $26, $36, $42, $51, and $59 and can be purchased by calling 215-893-1999, online at www.kimmelcenter.org, or at the Kimmel Center box office open daily from 10am to 6pm and later on performance evenings. (Additional fees may apply.) For group sales call 215-790-5883.
A limited number of $10 tickets are available for every Kimmel Center Presents performance at the Kimmel Center. Tickets go on sale the day of the event and can be purchased at the Kimmel Center box office beginning 2.5 hours prior to curtain time and 11:30am for matinees. Limit one ticket per person.
Mazowsze was founded in 1948 by Professor Tadeusz Sygietynski, an eminent composer and a folklore aficionado, who collaborated with his wife/actress Mira Ziminska-Sygietynska, to preserve Poland's cultural dance traditions. Mazowsze's repertoire includes pieces from 40 ethnographical regions as well as new, long forgotten religious and patriotic songs. The world renowned dance group has provided nearly 6,000 performances both in Poland and 49 other countries. The group continues to grow and develop a rich repertoire that conveys the warmth and beauty of many parts of Poland. Mazowsze draws inspiration from various historically significant areas, most importantly the Mazovian region but also Malopolska, Pomorze, Wielkopolska, the Silesia and Podhale. For Polish people living outside the country, Mazowsze has provided a connection to the motherland; for many others, it has served as a first and positive contact with Polish culture. Mira Ziminska-Sygietynska continued the dance company after her husband's death. She received the title of Woman of the Century awarded by the Polish Radio, a confirmation of her success and 40+ years of dedication to Polish dance.
At home and abroad, Mazowsze’s folk art still "unites people, brings down all boundaries and fills hearts with understanding" (La Prenca, Barcelona, Spain).
Kimmel Center Presents 2007/2008 season is sponsored by Citi. This concert is part of the American Express Cultural Heritage Series, supported by a generous gift from American Express. Support for the Mellon Jazz Series comes from The Bank of New York Mellon. The Great Orchestra Series is supported by ARC Wheeler. Additional support is provided by the University of Pennsylvania Health System and Deloitte. American Airlines is the Official Airline of Kimmel Center Presents. Toyota is the Official Vehicle of Kimmel Center Presents Mellon Jazz, Mellon Jazz Up Close and World & Pop. NBC-10 is a Media Partner for Kimmel Center Presents, and additional media sponsors include WDAS, WRTI, WJJZ, Afro-Pop, WXPN and WXPN's Kids Corner 20th Anniversary.
The Kimmel Center also receives support from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, The William Penn Foundation, The Wachovia Foundation, Verizon Foundation, PNC Foundation, The Philadelphia Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, and the Philadelphia Music Project and Dance Advance, Initiatives of The Pew Charitable Trust administered by The University of the Arts.
Free in the Plaza programming and subsidized tickets offered to the community and social service groups for $10 are made possible through the Wachovia Gateway to the Arts Community Access Program, supported by a generous grant from Wachovia Foundation.
KIMMEL CENTER PRESENTS:
Saturday, November 24, 2007 | 3pm
Verizon Hall
World & Pop Series
Mazowsze
Janusz Tadeusz Chojecki, Artistic Director
Boguslaw Jacek Kregielewski, Conductor
Witold Idzi Zapala, Choreographer
Jacek Kalinowski, Director General
Henryk Gazda, Costume Designer
FREE AT THE KIMMEL EVENT:
Saturday, November 24, 2007 | 1:30pm
Commonwealth Plaza Stage
P.K.M. Polish Folk Dancers
The P.K.M. Polish Folk Dance Group was organized by the Intercollegiate Club in 1960 to promote Polish dance through public performances. Join us in the Plaza for a beautiful display of this local tradition!
UPCOMING FREE AT THE KIMMEL EVENT:
Friday, November 30, 2007 | 6:30pm-7:30pm
Commonwealth Plaza Stage
Symphony in C Chamber Ensemble
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