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Events, , , ,

Sirenland 2011 writers conference

From One Story: Applications for Sirenland 2011 are now open, from September 15th to October 31st.

Join writers Dani Shapiro, Jim Shepard, and Peter Cameron, along with One Story magazine March 27-April 2, 2011 for the Sirenland Writers Conference. Experience advanced fiction and memoir workshops in an intimate, supportive environment at one of the most beautiful five star luxury hotels in the world – Le Sirenuse – in Positano, Italy.

Participation in this conference is limited to ensure individual attention and create a close, friendly community. Each day features an intensive, small group workshop with acclaimed writers Dani Shapiro, Jim Shepard, and Peter Cameron, as well as private time for writing, and excursions to nearby Pompeii and the Isle of Capri. Evenings will include talks about publishing and living the writer’s life, with Dani Shapiro, Jim Shepard, Peter Cameron, screenwriter Michael Maren and Hannah Tinti (co-founder and editor-in-chief of One Story), distinguished visiting authors, student and instructor readings, and fantastic meals overlooking the Islands of Li Galli, formerly called the “Island of the Sirens.”

To apply writers must submit a brief statement of purpose (about 250 words) and a writing sample (no more than 7,000 words). All applications will be taken online. Because this workshop will be limited, we encourage you to submit right away. The final deadline will be October 31st, 2010.

Events, Poland - Polish - Polonia, Xpost to PGF, , , , ,

Screening of Modjeska- Woman Triumphant

Polish Movie Nite is happy to announce the San Francisco premiere of Modjeska- Woman Triumphant, presented by Maureen Mroczek Morris, Sunday, October 17, 2010 at 3pm at the Delancey Street Screening Room, 600 Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94107

Modjeska- Woman Triumphant is presented by Maureen Mroczek Morris for the benefit of the Polish Club. Suggested donation: $5-10. Please call (415) 244-5252 to reserve your seat.

Modjeska- Woman Triumphant, 2009, 57 minutes

The stylized documentary Modjeska- Woman Triumphant is the culmination of six years of work by director Basia Myszynski, who has referred to the film as the “project of [her] life.” Probably most compelling is the narration by Beth Holmgren, professor at Duke University, who is currently working on a book about Modjeska.

Born in 1840 (arguably, but that’s a whole other story), Helena Modrzejewska was a famous Polish actress working in the second half of the 1800s. Although much literature and other materials exist about Modjeska (as she came to be known in the States), most notably about her life and career in Europe (Poland did not exist as a sovereign nation at that time), this is the first film to specifically focus on Modjeska and her life in Southern California, which she so loved.

In 2009, I attended a lecture by Marek Zebrowski (director of the Polish Music Center at USC), hosted by the Modjeska Art and Culture Club of Los Angeles, during which he spoke about Modjeska’s close friendship and intellectual exchange with composer Ignacy Paderewski. Zebrowski, who was also interviewed for Myszynski’s film, made the case that Modjeska left Europe for the US for largely political reasons. Interestingly, Woman Triumphant puts forth another thesis, namely that Modjeska also fled greatly for personal reasons. With an illegitimate son in tow (and her own legitimacy also frequently pointed out), she could reinvent herself in a new country without the stigma and gossipy journalism that publicly followed her every performance. No doubt, it was a combination of multiple pressures that pushed her out of the Russian Empire (although she had been born near Krakow under the more lenient Austrian rule, she had advanced quickly to play leads in Warsaw as well as in Russian cities). In a brief email exchange, Myszynski explained to me, “The film focuses on the most personal of reasons because [they] most affected her [and] me as a filmmaker.” Focusing on the personal in addition to the political reasons “would highlight the drama best in understanding why we make the choices we make – usually we are most affected by the personal,” she writes.

That said, Modjeska was not only running away from problems, but turning to new opportunities. She envisioned the formation of a utopian artist colony in the Wild West, where she and fellow ex-patriots would live off the land and at night could discuss art, literature, and music around a campfire. She would eventually call her property Arden, referring to the work of her beloved Shakespeare. After emigrating in 1876, she settled in 1888 in Orange County, in what is now known as Modjeska Canyon. She stayed at Arden until 1906, when she moved to Newport Beach where she would spend the last years of her life writing her memoirs…

Poetry, , , ,

Registration for the 2010-11 Poetry Out Loud program now open

Poetry Out Loud is a national program through the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) that encourages high school students to learn about great poetry as they memorize and perform notable poems in a series of competitions that begin in the classroom and will culminate with national championships in Washington, D.C. in April.

Visit the NYSAAE website for complete details on how to bring this program to your school. The deadline to register schools to participate is November 5, 2010.

Events, Poland - Polish - Polonia, , , , , , , ,

Out and About in Polonia

Utica Monday Night Polish Heritage Celebration: Holy Spirit PNCC will be at the Utica Monday Night Polish Heritage Celebration on Monday, August 2nd, selling homemade Polish food at Chancellor Park, Bleecker & Kent St., Utica. The Utica Monday Night Polish Heritage Celebration will feature a performance by Jasiu Klocek and the Salt City Brass Polka Band from 6:30 —“ 9:00.

Ychtis Polish Girls’ Group: To perform at Corpus Christi Church, 199 Clark St., Buffalo, NY on Friday, August 6th at 7:00 p.m.

Ychtis, the award-winning girls’ song and dance group from Poland, will visit Buffalo August 6 with a performance at Corpus Christi Church. The name of the ensemble is taken from the Greek word for fish. The group specializes in religious songs. Among their repertoire is music based on the poetry of the late Fr. Jan Twardowski, one of Poland’s beloved poets. They also sing songs about the former Polish city of Lwów, which has a warm place in the hearts of many Poles even though it is now in Ukraine.

The five member group of 10-15 year old girls will sing in Polish and in English as well as tap dance. The group has been in existence for 15 years and is based in the city of Katowice in the industrial region of Silesia.

Ychtis’ mission is to give young people with difficult family situations the opportunity to develop their inner and outer talents through song and dance. Ychtis has appeared on Television and toured Europe where they have won first place in a number of contests. This is their second visit to Buffalo and other cities in North America, where, in addition to Buffalo they will perform in Chicago, Cleveland, Yonkers, Newark as well as a number of cities in Canada.

The group’s performance in the beautiful sanctuary of Corpus Christi Church promises to provide an uplifting experience for all. Admission is free, but a free will donation will be requested at the end of the show to help offset the group’s expenses.

For further information, please call 716-896-1050.

Canal Days Celebration in Little Falls, NY: Enjoy a fun day at Little Falls’ 23rd annual Canal Days, August 13th to 15th. Holy Spirit PNCC will be serving Polish food prepared by its members. Polish dishes will be available as follows:

  • Fri. 8/13, at 5pm and during the parade in front of —Rick’s Style-Inn— 580 East Main Street, Little Falls.
  • Sat. 8/14, from 11am to 4pm at the church, 618 E. Gansevoort St., Little Falls.
  • Sun. 8/15 12 noon until sold out, at the church, 618 E. Gansevoort St., Little Falls.

Mystery Dinner Theater at the Albany PCC: The Albany PCC will host “Home on the Mystery Range” on Saturday, August 14th at 6:30pm. A cocktail hour will be followed by a Polish-American buffer dinner at 7:30pm. Tickets are $35 per person. For tickets please call 518-456-3995

Art, Events, ,

From the NY Folklore Society

Gallery of New York Folk Art open Sundays

Beginning on May 3, 2010, the Schenectady Green Market moves outdoors to Franklin and Jay Streets, alongside Schenectady’s City Hall.

While the Green Market is outdoors, the New York Folklore Society’s Folk Arts Gallery will be open on Sundays from 10:00 – 2:00 p.m. We continue to be open weekdays 10:00 – 3:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 10:00 – 3:00 p.m.

NYFS to Sponsor Gatherings for Latino artists

The New York Folklore Society will be sponsoring three gatherings for Latino artists in New York State. Supported by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, the gatherings will take place on three locations on three separate dates:

  • October 24, 2010 at Long Island Traditins, Port Washington
  • March 19, 2011 at Go Art!, Batavia
  • May 14, 2011 at Centro Civico, Amsterdam

Designed for musicians, dancers, craftspersons, and others who are practicing a traditional artform with its origin in any of the Spanish-speaking communities of North and South America, the gatherings will assist artists in sharing resources and experiences. They will provide an opportunity for future collaborations and technical assistance. For additional information, or to find out how to become a “delegate” for the gatherings, please contact Lisa Overholser at the New York Folklore Society.

Poland - Polish - Polonia, , , ,

Remembering Katyn, remembering a grandfather and father

From American Public Radio: Remembering Katyn

Across Poland this week, memorial services have been held to honor the dozens of dignitaries who died in last weekend’s plane crash. They were on their way to mark the 70th anniversary of what’s become known as the Katyn Massacre, the killing of over 20,000 Polish officers and intelligentsia at the start of World War II. Anna Wojtowicz’s father perished on that plane. Wojciech Seweryn had devoted his life to building a monument to honor the Polish victims of Katyn, including his own father. His powerful sculpture of a fallen Polish soldier held in the arms of Mary sits at the entrance to St. Adalbert Cemetary in Niles, Ill. Anna talks with Dick about the importance of remembering all that her dad and her grandfather stood for…

The podcast of the interview is here.

Current Events, , , , ,

Arts in Crisis: A Kennedy Center Initiative

President Michael M. Kaiser of the Kennedy Center is traveling to all 50 States, Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C., to assist arts organizations in need. He will be coming to Albany, NY on Tuesday, April 27, 2010 from 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM at The Linda, WAMC’s Performing Arts Studio, 339 Central Avenue, Albany, NY to present Arts in Crisis: A Kennedy Center Initiative.

To attend, please RSVP by calling 518-465-5233. x145. The event is FREE and open to the public.

Mr. Kaiser will engage in an interview format discussion with the President and CEO of WAMC Northeast Public Radio, Alan Chartock, with an audience Q&A session to follow.

Arts in Crisis also enables senior arts managers across the United States to volunteer to serve as mentors to other arts organizations.

—There are many talented arts administrators around the country, and we encourage them to lend their expertise,— said Michael Kaiser. —If all of us work together, we can turn a time of crisis into a time of opportunity.—

Non-profit performing arts organizations who would like to participate in the program should submit an online request. The Kennedy Center will quickly match organizations in need with a member of the Kennedy Center executive staff or a volunteer mentor in their local area.

The program, open to non-profit 501(c)(3) performing arts organizations, provides free and confidential planning assistance in areas pertinent to maintaining a vital performing arts organization during a troubled economy. The program is currently working with almost 500 organizations in 40 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. More than 120 experienced arts leaders from across the country are volunteering their time to serve as mentors to organizations in need.

Poland - Polish - Polonia, , , ,

Acquaintance, Kazimierz Braun, remembers Karol Wojtyla

From the Catholic PR Wire: Renowned Polish Director Remembers Pope John Paul II

“John Paul the Great has enabled people to put fear behind them,” said Kazimierz Braun, internationally acclaimed Polish director, author, and former student of Karol Wojtyla (later Pope John Paul II). “Like a broken reed, he has raised and made whole our hope. He has fanned the sparks of faith and courage into a flame. Above all, he has embraced all in unconditional love.”

Braun spoke of the late pontiff in the first annual John Paul the Great Fine Arts Lecture, sponsored by the Franciscan University Fine Arts Society, on March 5.

In his youth, Braun joined a group of students and faculty from the Catholic University of Lublin, Poland, called Swieta Lipka (“Holy Linden”), whose spiritual pastor and scholarly mentor was Bishop Professor Karol Wojtyla.

“Thanks to John Paul II, with increasing clarity I saw how inseparable is the union of the artistic and ethical dimensions of theater, and I understood that only this union can give a theater production meaning and energy, and express the abundant and inexplicable richness of the human being,” said Braun.

“What my mentor and pastor was steering me toward was unlike anything I had studied at drama school or experienced in professional theater. I believe this was one of Wojtyla’s peculiar gifts: pointing to new possibilities in every domain of human activity and restoring a proper sense of order to life, beginning with the spiritual life and branching out into politics, economics, scholarship, or art.”

Braun recounted visiting Bishop Wojtyla in Krakow and being assigned a paper “on the ethical problems which a young director encounters in theater.

“It was Wojtyla’s way of teaching and guiding people: to let them identify their personal, moral, or professional problems and freely search for just, honest, and proper solutions.”

Bishop Wojtyla discussed the paper with Braun. “I remember his questions: How do you want to unite faith with art in your theater work? How will you strive for the highest values in terms of both aesthetics and ethics? In the time of trial, what would you choose—”the world or God?”

For Wojtyla and for Braun, that question carried real meaning. “During World War II under Nazi occupation and after the war under Soviet occupation, theater in Poland was prohibited since it was considered an expression of Polish national spirit. Thus, to do theater against the occupiers’ will was an act of bravery and patriotism.”

Braun quoted one of the late pope’s poems: “‘You have gone, but through me you walk on’…This thought precisely and perfectly expresses my own thoughts after the passing away of John Paul II: He has gone, but he is still walking through me, and you, and millions of us around the world.”

“Throughout my career, I would ask myself, ‘What would he think? Would he approve?'”

Braun is a professor of theater art at the University at Buffalo in New York, and holds doctoral degrees in Letters, Theatre, and Directing. He worked for professional theater companies in Poland before being forced to leave the country by Communist authorities in the 1980s. Braun has directed more than 140 theater and television productions in Poland and other countries, and has published more than 30 books.

He is currently guest directing Claudel’s Christopher Columbus, which will be performed by Franciscan University students and faculty the weekend of April 9-11 and April 16-18. Tickets are $4 for adults and $2 for students and seniors. Religious and children 12 and under are free…

Professor Braun and I hovered in and out of different Polonian circles in my days back in Buffalo. A real gentleman and a great director. I would recommend seeing his work. He has also published and I would recommend his “A Concise History of Polish Theater from the Eleventh to the Twentieth Centuries” (Studies in Theatre Arts, V. 21) and A History of Polish Theater, 1939-1989: Spheres of Captivity and Freedom (Contributions in Drama and Theatre Studies).

Current Events, , , ,

Textured Stories – African American Life

The Gallery of New York Folk Art is presenting Textured Stories: An Exhibition featuring the work of Denise Allen, folk artist and master craftswoman from Palatine Bridge, NY through March 26th at the Gallery of New York Folk Art, 133 Jay St., Schenectady, NY. The gallery hours are 10 a.m to 4 p.m.

As a folk artist who predominately focuses on themes of African American colonial life and country living, Denise Allen creates one-of-a-kind textured artwork employing various techniques, prints, dolls, and story cloths. Her work has been featured nationally and internationally. In February 2010, she unveiled her latest piece, a 9-11 story cloth that will be housed at the forthcoming 9-11 memorial in New York City.

For more information contact the New York Folklore Society website or call 518-346-7008.

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