Cultural Stage

Here is a look at the entertainment lineup for the Cultural Stage at the 2013 Twin Cities Polish Festival. Times subject to change.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 10:

SUNDAY, AUGUST 11:

Entertainment Bios

Maggie D Group

The band has been performing together for over 3 years now and have shared stage with many famous rock bands from Poland like; Perfect, Budka Suflera, Kasia Kowalska, Zakopower, Feel, Czerwone Gitary and many many more. Maggie D has been presented with an award: The Artist of The Year 2010 Polonusy Radio 1080 AM. Maggie D. makes their own music in the style of rock-pop with additions of polish breeze, they share that with their audience on many stages throughout USA and now working on the first tour in Poland. All band members are great musicians and professionals who lived with and through music for whole their lives. Wojtek Namczynski not only Maggie D’s drummer but also a drummer for famous Rock band Chlopcy z Placu Broni for over 20 years now. The leader of the band Magda Doroszko has been singing since she was just a child and now she is living her dream. Magda writes her own lyrics and always gives her 110% once up on the stage. Maggi D group is currently working on their first cd album spending long hours at the studio. Just recently they have released their first music video “Lazurowy Brzeg”.

Fantini Akord Kwintet

“Fantini chord Quintet” is one of the few bands of this type existing in the world. It was created in 1996 on the initiative of Arthur Zajkowski, who today is the artistic director.

The group has a beautifully rich and varied repertoire including works from classical music (like “Gothic Suite” – L. Boellmanna, “Aria from suite No. 3” – JS Bach, or “Adagio in G minor” T. Albinoni), through jazz standards (“One note samba “), then pop music (marches, polkas, waltzes French), to popular music, and dance.

Mosaica

In 2007 Jeff Wasienski had an idea about creating a music group without boundaries. After 37 years of playing in various music groups and ensembles from classical to ethnic to pop, Jeff wanted to combine all these elements into one unique group: A group with no rules and no restrictions. Mosaica was formed in a coffee house in Maplewood, Minnesota when a core group of musicians accepted the challenge of putting together a playlist that covered all genres of music from Eastern European to Old Time to the popular standards and ballads of today. For the next 6 years Mosaica has developed its’ unique sound and repertoire.

Mosaica has performed at various festivals and venues including the Festival of Nations in St. Paul, Hobgoblin Music in Red Wing, Smaczne Jablka (Apple Fest) in Winona, Kramarczuk’s in North East Minneapolis and the Polish American Cultural Institute of Minnesota annual Soup Festival.

Mosaica intends to feed your curiosity for music of the world. We perform this music because all of us love the respective songs in our repertoire. Out of all the possible origins of the numerous songs we perform, they all share one common origin, the heart. For more information visit our website www.mosaicamusic.com

Profusion

PROFUSION started in 2012 by Wojtek Grabinski – teacher at ABC MUSIC ACADEMY & recording Studio in Schaumburg,IL. The 4 students all had a passion for music and Wojtek knew that. One day Wojtek decided to take those 4 students and form a band which is now called PROFUSION.

There are 4 people in this band. Vocal and bass – Caroline Baran (12 years old), keyboard and vocal – Kinga Smutek (14 years old), drums – Adrian Piekos (11 years old), guitar – Daniel Brozek ( 15 years old). All of these kids are extremely talented.

Dolina Polish Folk Dancers

The Dolina Polish Folk Dancers have been entertaining audiences locally in the Twin Cities, nationally, and internationally for more than 60 years. Dolina shares the rich culture and character of Poland through traditional footwork, lively choreography, and vibrant, authentic costumes. Performances typically include singing and live music and range from one dance for a private party to a full concert. For more information, view their website at http://www.dolina.org/.

Dolina Polish Folk Dancers

Chabry Teen Polish Folk Dancers

Chabry, the teen Polish folk dance group in the Dolina organization, was founded in 2000 as a place for teens, between the ages of 12 and 16, who are too old to dance in the children’s group but not quite old enough to perform with the adult group. Chabry allows teens the opportunity to continue or begin practicing and performing Polish dance and acts as a stepping-stone into the adult group, Dolina.

Chabry Teen Polish Folk Dancers at the Festival of Nations, 2013

Chabry has performed at the Festival of Nations (St. Paul, Minn.), Polish Fest (Milwaukee, Wis.), Cesky Den Festival (Hillsboro, Wis.), and the Twin Cities Polish Festival, as well as at local events and festivals around the Twin Cities. This group offers a great chance for teens to have fun, travel and learn many basic folk dance moves, regardless of experience. It also provides a hands-on opportunity to learn more about Polish culture.

Zespół Słoneczniki

Zespół Słoneczniki originated under the direction of Chris (Rajtar) Golob in September 1981. The group was initially sponsored by Bottineau Park of N.E. Minneapolis. The group’s name was selected because the translation for słoneczniki is sunflowers. The children are enriched with Polish culture, customs and traditions as they learn regional dances and songs of Poland.

Zespol Sloneczniki at the Festival of Nations, spring 2013

Słoneczniki performs for local church festivals and events around the Twin Cities. The September-May season culminates in the annual Festival of Nations in St. Paul. The group has also performed at the Twin Cities Polish Festival on occasion. Members range in age from five to 12 years old. Słoneczniki is under the direction of Kaja Rajtar and Anna Memorich.

Rehearsals are held from 12:30-2 p.m. every Saturday in Kolbe Hall at Holy Cross Church (in the Pope John Paul II School building) in Minneapolis. 1621 University Ave. N.E., Minneapolis, MN 55413. Enter through the alley behind Holy Cross Church. New members are always welcome! If you would like any information please email us.

Adam Mickiewicz Polish Saturday School

A must see performance! Polish Saturday School of Minneapolis is proud to present an interactive dancing and singing program. Kids and adults of all ages will be able to learn fun Polish facts and words by singing along with a group of students ages 3 to 10. Under the guidance of passionate and energetic instructors, the students will put on a show just for the spectacular folks attending the Twin Cities Polish Fest. You will see little actors performing as frogs, kittens, farm animals, blueberries, veggies and even a river!

Adam Mickiewicz Polish Saturday School

The Adam Mickiewicz Polish Saturday School has been established over 20 years ago. It is run by volunteers whose desire is to make learning Polish language, history and culture fun and relevant to the present generation. For more information please contact Agnieszka Kemerley: kemerley4@gmail.com or 952-457-7683