Repertoire
LACHY SĄDECKIE
Choreography by: Krysia Kovach and Robert Langtry
The ethnographic region of Sacz lies in a valley of three mountain rivers in the southern part of Poland. The dances of the Sacz Lachy region are mainly turning polkas done in a variety of ways with various additional elements like stamping, squatting, and lifting one leg. Dancing is interlaced with singing and enhanced with characteristic shouting and whistling.
SPISZ
Choreography by: Krysia Kovach and Robert Langtry
The small region of Spisz is located in south-eastern Poland between the Dunajec River and the Tatry Mountains. This region shares its border with Slovakia but was part of the old Kingdom of Hungary at one time. Its unique folk culture has been created mainly by the mixture of Polish, Hungarian, and German settlers, Wallachian shepherds and Slovak folklore.
KASZUBY
Choreography by: Krysia Kovach and Robert Langtry
The Kaszuby dances are from the Baltic area of Poland and are mostly gentle, joyful, and graceful. Although they have many characteristic traits of the dances from the neighbouring regions, they also reveal obvious Swedish and German influences both in music and in the steps. They can be divided into dances of the rural population and of people of the sea.
KRAKOWIAK
Choreography by: Henryk Lorenc
Krakowiak is one of Poland’s 5 national dances. The dance comes from the old capital city of Poland, Krakow, which is a vibrant centre of rich folklore, historic traditions, and the arts. It is one of the most popular and characteristic Polish folk dances with very lively, and long, easy strides demonstrating spirited abandon and elegance at the same time.
HARNAŚ
Choreography by: Bernard Pacak, Magda Jhagru
A rivalry of two opposing fierce warriors. Viewed as heroes, the leaders of these tribes would steal from the rich and provide to the poor. The women of the villages were grateful for these heroes. Footwork inspired by “górale”, highlanders, of the southern region of Poland and story inspired by the legend of Janosik.
GÓRALSKI
Choreography by: Sandro Barbosa
The elements of the Polish highland dances are echoed in the music composed by Stanislaw Moniuszko in his opera “Halka”. Highlander culture is distinctive as it is rich in its architecture, music, and painting. The colourful costumes are highly original, reflecting the unique environment in which they were created.
RZESZÓW
Choreography by: Bożena Langtry
This is a selection of folk songs and dances typical to the Podkarpackie region in south-eastern Poland. Figures are lively and dynamic and abound in fast-spinning patterns. Most of the time they are danced smoothly and embellished with unusual jerky or quivering movements. This choreography dates to 1987.
BIAŁY WALC
Choreography by: Bernard Pacak, Justyna Paprocki, Magda Jhagru
Dating back to the 17th century this dance was performed at the opening of royal functions. It is one of the five historic national dances of Poland. The graceful and elegant strides are accented by bows and turns. In Poland, this dance is traditionally performed at the senior prom by the graduating class.
POLKA WARSZAWSKA
Choreography by: Bernard Pacak, Justyna Paprocki, Magda Jhagru
A romantic tango in which the gentlemen are lured on stage by a riveting vocalist. With so many lovely ladies on stage, the gentlemen are lucky enough to dance with not one, but two beauties.
All dancers join after for the Polka Warszawska which consists of lively and fun foolery on stage.
WARMIA
Choreography by: Bernard Pacak, Monika Niemczyk, Magda Jhagru
From the northern region of Poland, this dance was very popular with fishermen and sailors. The playful aspects of this region included such dances as żabka (frog) in which the gentlemen imitate the animal jumping. The elegant women show no interest in the silly misbehaving gentlemen until they realize how well they dance.
OPOCZNO
Choreography by: Bernard Pacak, Justyna Paprocki, Magda Jhagru
From the central region of Poland, this dance is very lively and joyful filled with energetic obereks and spins. The vast wool supply in the area gave way for producing the distinguishing colorfully striped fabrics which were used in making
the traditional costumes.
ŁOWICZ
Choreography by: Sandro Barbosa
This is a very popular dance from the Mazowsze region because of its beautiful medleys of songs and dances. The elegant and uniquely embroidered costumes depict the region’s rich landscape filled with beautiful plains and luscious forests.