THE SUMMIT TIMES

Polish Heritage Month Celebration at the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center

Dance, Music and Crafts Mark Polish Heritage Month Celebrations at Pope John Paul II Cultural Center

The many facets of Polish culture will be highlighted at the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center, throughout October with diverse musical performances, dance workshops, crafts and films during Polish Heritage Month. Daily activities are scheduled along with two special family weekends, October 12-13 and October 26-27.

Featured musical performances include Michelle Kunz, Washington Opera soprano; a concert of Polish Romantic composers; a musical performance by Nancy Scimone on Saint Faustina and the Divine Mercy; the Archdiocesan Boy Choir of Philadelphia performing sacred music; and the Gypsy Strings. The Krakowiaki Dancers will perform traditional Polish dances. Children can learn Polish dances in dance workshops.

October 1 - 31, throughout the day
    *    Polish crafts, including wycinanaki paper cut-outs, szopka (Krakowian crèches) and Holiday pajaki mobiles
    *    Documentary film on the life of Maximilian Kolbe
    *    Children's films

Saturday and Sunday, October 5 and 6
    *    1:00 p.m. - Polish and Hispanic Comparative Crafts Workshops demonstrating the similarity of selected Hispanic and Polish crafts

Saturday, October 12
    *    1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. - Craft Workshop: Polish Easter palms
    *    2:30 p.m. - Saint Faustina and the Divine Mercy adult discussion forum and musical performance by Nancy Scimone
    *    3:00 p.m. - Craft Workshop: dzbanuszek paper pitcher ornaments
    *    4:00 p.m. - Craft Workshop: Polish star/porcupine ornaments

Sunday, October 13
    *    12:30 p.m. - Craft Workshop: wydmuszki (decorated paper egg figurines)
    *    2:00 p.m. - Krakowiaki Dancers of Polish National Alliance Lodge 339 performing traditional Polish dances
    *    3:00 p.m. - Michelle Kunz, Washington Opera soprano, performs Polish classical selections
    *    3:15 p.m. - Polish Dance Workshop for children
    *    3:30 p.m. - Craft Workshop: folded paper stars

Saturday, October 19
    *    2:00 p.m. - Archdiocesan Boy Choir of Philadelphia performing sacred music in Polish, Spanish and Latin

Sunday, October 20
    *    4:00 p.m. - The Polish Romantics concert featuring works by Polish Romantic composers. Reservations required. Please call 202-635-5434

Saturday, October 26
    *    Noon, 2:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. - Craft Workshop: pisanki decorated eggs
    *    1:00 p.m. - Krakowiaki Dancers of Polish National Alliance Lodge 339 performing traditional Polish dances
    *    2:15 p.m. - Polish Dance Workshop for children
    *    3:00 p.m. - Story teller Adam Mazurek performs Polish Folk Tales and Legends
    *    3:00 p.m. - Michelle Kunz, Washington Opera soprano, performs Polish classical selections

Sunday, October 27
    *    12:30 p.m. - Craft Workshop: wydmuszki (decorated paper egg figurines)
    *    1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. - Craft Workshop: Polish Easter palms
    *    2:00 p.m. - Story teller Adam Mazurek performs Polish Folk Tales and Legends
    *    2:30 p.m. - Craft Workshop: folded paper stars
    *    3:30 p.m. - The Gypsy Strings perform Polish folk songs and classical music

The Cultural Center is open Tuesday - Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Sunday: noon - 5:00 p.m. Admission is by donation.

A one-of-a-kind museum, the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center provides a dynamic environment in which visitors of all ages and denominations engage in an intriguing exploration of faith and culture. Through state-of-the-art technology, art exhibits, and cultural programs, visitors explore spirituality and culture, learn about the faith of others, and engage in inspirational activities designed to put their faith into action in their everyday lives.

Pope John Paul II Cultural Center
3900 Harewood Road, NE, Washington, DC 20017

Contact: Sandy Peeler
Tel. (202) 635-5440 or
speeler@jp2cc.org