Janosik's Recent Events
Wianki on the Mall 2010, Washington, D.C. | Onion Festival 2010, Pine Island, N.Y. | St. Hedwig's Polish Festival 2010, Wilmington, De. | Poconos Wurst Festival 2010, Shawnee-on-Delaware, Pa.
2009 events
JANOSIK AND MICHAS DANCERS PERFORM AT CAPITOL BUILDING
at WIANKI ON THE MALL 2010,
Summer Solstice Festival of Wreaths on the Feast of St. John
Photographs courtesy Eric Newton Photography.
The United States Capitol Building was the backdrop for the annual wianki celebration which took place on a steamy June 26 in Washington, D.C. The Janosik Polish Folk Dance Ensemble, the Michas Dancers from Virginia Beach, and the Brothers-in-Law Plus Band provided the entertainment for the evening’s festivities.
Janosik, under the direction of Monique Legaré, performed the national dances of the Polonez, Krakowiak, Kujawiak, Oberek, and Mazur as well as dances from the regions of Kurpie, Sląsk, Podhale, and Nowy Sącz. Wearing authentic Cieszyn costumes, the audience enjoyed the colors and the intricate dance patterns as the sun was setting in the background.
The Michas Dancers, under the direction of Mike Levinsky, wore the popular Rzeszów costumes and performed crowd-pleasing playful dances and songs from the regions of Rzeszów, Wielkopolska, Kaszuby and Łowicz.
Levinsky led a Grand Polonez which included audience participants. A wianki dance presented by the Michas Dancers culminated the dance presentations and was a fitting introduction to the actual wianki procession of white-robed unmarried girls and the ceremonious laying of their wreaths at the reflecting pool.
The Brothers-in-Law Plus Band returned this year to provide traditional and contemporary Polish and multi-cultural folk music during the entire celebration.
The wianki celebration was sponsored by the Polish-American Arts Association of Washington, D.C.
ONION FESTIVAL 2010, featuring the Jimmy Sturr Orchestra, Pine Island, N.Y.
September 5, 2010, PLAV Post 16. Audiences danced to the sounds of the 18-time Grammy-Award-winning Jimmy Sturr Orchestra and were treated to two performance sets by Janosik. The Janosik dancers began wearing costumes from Rzeszów, and presented national dances, such as the mazur, kujawiak and oberek, and dances from Kurpie and Rzeszów in the first set. Then they returned wearing costumes from the Krakow region and presented dances from the Beskid and Tatra mountains, a brigand's dance from Żywiec, and Nowy Sącz's lively "Cięta Polka." The group premiered a new swirling Krakowiak finale to their show. The weather was warm and the music was fabulous.
Photographs courtesy Christine McNaull.
ST. HEDWIG'S POLISH FESTIVAL 2010
September 18, 2010, Riverfront Wilmington, De. St. Hedwig Parish presented festivities and food under the tents. The dancers performed national and region dances of Poland, ending with a new Krakowiak finale.
Entertainment continued with the Mass Brass band.
Photographs courtesy Mary Lindberg
POCONOS WURST FESTIVAL 2010, Shawnee on Delaware, PA
July 17, 2010. Nick-named the "Oktoberfest in July," Poconos Wurst Festival featured music by Jimmy Sturr Orchestra and Joe Stanky & the Cadets, polka dancing, food, strolling musicians, biergarten, and games. Audiences were treated to three performance sets by Janosik.
Photographs courtesy Beth Yancoskie.
2009 Events
"DOŻYNKI" Harvest Festival 2009, Philadelphia, Pa. | Onion Festival 2009, Pine Island, N.Y. | Poconos' Wurst Festival 2009, Shawnee on Delaware, Pa. | Wianki on the Mall 2009, Washington, D.C. | Memorial Day 2009, Somerton, Pa. | Polish Folk Dance Party, Willow Grove, Pa.
"DOŻYNKI" HARVEST FESTIVAL 2009, Philadelphia, Pa.
The Polish American Congress Eastern Pennsylvania District and the Polish American Cultural Center Museum sponsored the celebration as part of Polish American Heritage Month of October. Festivities took place at St. Adalbert Auditorium in the Port Richmond neighborhood in Philadelphia.
Janosik was joined by more entertainers with performances by
P.K.M. Polish Folk Dancers,
St. Adalbert Polish Language School, and
Polish Scouts "Harcerstwo." Music Box Band provided live music for listening and dancing.
Great food and a fun time was had by all ages.
Photographs courtesy Kathleen Colduvell.
ONION FESTIVAL 2009, featuring the Jimmy Sturr Orchestra, Pine Island, N.Y.
September 6, PLAV Post 16. Audiences danced to the sounds of the 18-time Grammy-Award-winning Jimmy Sturr Orchestra and were treated to two performance sets by Janosik. The Janosik dancers wore costumes from Krakow and presented national dances in the first set. Then they returned wearing costumes from the góralski or mountain regions and presented dances from the Beskid and Tatra mountains, and Nowy Sącz regions. The group appended a special polka number for Jimmy Sturr fans to conclude their show. The weather was warm and the music was fabulous.
Photographs courtesy Mary Lindberg, Arthur Rosenfeld, and Ted Smolanowicz
POCONOS' WURST FESTIVAL 2009, Shawnee Mountain Ski Area
July 18, Shawnee on Delaware. German Oompa-pa Bands, Polish Polka Bands, German & Polish crafts and dancers plus all of the wursts, wieners, kielbasa, pierogies, ethnic vendors and crafted brews were enjoyed by attendees in this Oktoberfest in July — the annual Poconos' Wurst Festival. Audiences under the tent enjoyed polkas and obereks by such bands as the 18-time Grammy-Award-winning Jimmy Sturr Orchestra and Eddie Derwin & the Polka Naturals, and saw three performances by Janosik. The Janosik dancers wore costumes from Krakow and among the dances presented were a suite from Wielkopolska, a song from Jurgów, national dances of the Krakowiak and the Mazur, and a dance from Kurpie. The group appended a special polka number for Jimmy Sturr fans to conclude each of their shows.
Photographs courtesy Mary Lindberg and Ted Smolanowicz
JANOSIK AND MICHAS DANCERS PERFORM AT LINCOLN MEMORIAL
at WIANKI ON THE MALL 2009,
Summer Solstice Festival of Wreaths on the Feast of St. John
The solemn Lincoln Memorial, the august Washington Monument and the serene reflecting pool were the backdrops for the annual wianki celebration which took place on June 20 in Washington, D.C. The Janosik Polish Folk Dance Ensemble, the Michas Dancers from Virginia Beach, and the Brothers-in-Law Plus Band provided the entertainment for the evening’s festivities.
Janosik, under the direction of Monique Legaré, performed the national dances of the Polonez, Krakowiak, Kujawiak, and Mazur as well as dances from the regions of Kurpie, Sląsk, Podhale, and Nowy Sącz. Wearing authentic Krakowiak costumes, the audience was mesmerized by the colors and the intricate dance patterns as the Washington Monument loomed in the background.
The Michas Dancers, under the direction of Mike Levinsky, wore the popular Rzeszów costumes and performed crowd-pleasing playful dances and songs from the regions of Rzeszów, Wielkopolska, Kaszuby and Łowicz.
The directors from both groups led a Grand Polonez which included at least 75 audience participants. A wianki dance presented by the Michas Dancers culminated the dance presentations and was a beautiful prelude to the actual wianki procession of white-robed unmarried ladies and the ceremonious laying of their wreaths at the reflecting pool.
An essential part of any Polish celebration, the Brothers-in-Law Plus Band provided toe-tapping traditional and contemporary Polish and multi-cultural folk music during the entire celebration. The culmination of the evening featured a song-fest with members of the audience singing favorite Polish folk songs that are beloved by all Poles.
The wianki celebration was sponsored by the Polish-American Arts Association of Washington, D.C.
Photographs courtesy Marianne Miserandino, Stasia Skrypczuk, Ted Smolanowicz, and Beth Yancoskie
CELEBRATION OF POLISH FOLK DANCE AND MUSIC
On May 3, 2009, the Janosik Polish Folk Dance Ensemble sponsored a Polish folk dance party at the Professional Dance Academy in Willow Grove, PA.
Festivities included group instruction of regional dances from Lublin, Cieszyn, and Nowy Sącz as well as the national dance, the Polonez, by artistic director, Monique Legaré.
Participants were invited to wear traditional Polish costumes and footwear and participate in the costume parade. Costumes from the regions of Krakow, Rzeszów, Lublin, Cieszyn, Opoczno, Wielkopolska, Kaszuby, Kujawy, Mazury, Podhale, and Łowicz were all represented.
A highlight of the afternoon’s celebration included a performance by the ensemble of the Krakowiak, the Kołomajki, and dances from Wielkopolska.
As part of any Polish celebration, traditional Polish cookies, cakes, and rolls, as well as other light fare were enjoyed by all.
If you are interested in either attending Janosik’s training class or in having the group perform at your function, please call our Business Manager, Ann Louise Pyzik-Colduvell at 215-295-9330.
Photographs courtesy of Dan Edelman and Arthur Rosenfeld
MEMORIAL DAY PARADE IN SOMERTON, PA
On May 25 Janosik helped Philadelphia's Mayor Nutter celebrate the day of remembrance of the United States' fallen soldiers. Weather was beautiful and the parade pleased the crowds. Janosik has been participants of this parade for many years.
Photographs courtesy Ted Smolanowicz.