Descendants of the dance

Polish folk dances are a tradition rooted in ten centuries of Polish culture. Many dances stem from regional customs and historical events. The most notable and renowned dances of  Poland include the Krakowiak, Mazurka, Oberek, and Polonaise. These dances are classified as national because almost every region in Poland has displayed a variety of these dances. Many of them were brought to the ballroom floor following Napoleon's expansion into Central and Eastern Europe, which brought French nobility imitating the Polish peasants style of dance, and adding flavors of ballet.

Often people marvel at the colorful hand embroidered outfits worn by dancers.  Many don’t realize the wide variety of designs and styles, particularly the vests worn by women. There are over 60 different variations of ladies dresses and vests that may reflect region and sometimes social or marital status. The costumes are not worn in daily life but at folk festivals, folk weddings, and religious holidays.

Although most of Western New York’s Polonia is a number of generations removed from the ancestors that created the Polish colony of Buffalo, traditional folk dancing remains part of the culture even if the native language is not as prevalent as it once was. Luckily this art form continues and we’re fortunate enough to be able to share this form of cultural expression with our children.

This years’ Dyngus Day Buffalo Festival and Parade features three different dance troupes from WNY and Southern Ontario. The Krakowiacy Dance Troupe from Eugenia Dance Studio in Orchard Park not only has a rich history of performance at our festival, they have also won numerous awards at dance competitions throughout the United States and performed at two International Festivals in Poland! In addition to Krakowiacy, we are thrilled to welcome back Cracovia Polish Folk Dance Ensemble from London, Ontario and Radość-Joy Polish Vocal Dance Group from Mississauga. All three groups demonstrate the vibrant energy of traditional Polish folk dancing representing various artistic expressions from all areas of Poland. Not only are they all extremely talented dancers, they bring with them a youthful exuberance and energy which not only conveys the beauty and grace of the rhythmic movement associated with traditional polish folk dancing, but enhances their ability to act as bright young ambassadors of Polish culture.

We’re proud to present them all as part of this years Dyngus Day Buffalo Festival and Parade.

Visit dyngusday.com for entertainment schedule, performance locations and times