The Young Polish Canadian Dancers and Singers of Edmonton

W roku 1969, przy polskiej sobotniej szkole im. Henryka Sienkiewicza w Edmontonie, został założony Zespół Pieśni i Tańca, którego organizatorem był prezes Komitetu Rodzicielskiego, p. Michał Jędrasik. Już po trzech miesiącach istnienia zespół wystąpił na Akademii Trzeciomajowej w Domu Polskim, a jesienią tego samego roku na Festiwalu Narodów Zjednoczonych. W 1971 roku nastąpiła reorganizacja zespołu, który usamodzielnił się i przyjął nazwę „ The Young Polish Canadian Dancers and Singers of Edmonton”. W skład zarządu weszły następujące osoby: Michał Jędrasik – prezes; Tadeusz Kiryczuk – wiceprezes; Maria Filipowska – sekretarz, skarbnik; ks. Ryszard Kosian OMI – członek zarządu; Stanisław Fill – członek zarządu. Przy wielkim wkładzie pracy instructorów i pilności tancerzy, zespół w składzie 45 osób występował w różnych ośrodkach polonijnych Alberty, takich jak: Radway, Kopernik, Grande Prairie, Bonnyville i Atabasca tańcząc przy akompaniamencie p. Tadeusza Kiryczuka, krakowiaka, mazura, poloneza, kujawiaka i śpiewając pieśni pod dyrekcją Siostry Humilitas. Instruktorami w tym czasie były panie H. Buksińska, J. Neufeldt i Teresa Różańska-Morawska. W roku 1974 Zbigniew Filipowski został wybrany prezesem i rozpoczął się dla zespołu przełomowy rok. Repertuar został ulepszony i poszerzony o tańce góralskie, dzięki zbiegowi okoliczności, że w Seminarium Duchownym w St. Albert studiował nasz rodak, późniejszy proboszcz polskiej parafii ks. Władysław Karciarz, rodowity góral. Przyjął on wtedy rolę instruktora tańców góralskich a także sam tańczył. Pozostawił po sobie piękną i dobrze wyszkoloną grupę górali, którą później prowadził Grzegorz Filipowski. W roku 1974 Kongres Polonii Kanadyjskiej okręg Alberta, którego prezesem w tym czasie był dr. Czesław Rodkiewicz przyjął protektorat nad zespołem. Pan Rodkiewicz był jedynym prezesem Kongresu, dla którego na pierwszym miejscu było utrzymanie młodzieży w duchu polskości. Innym ważnym aspektem było zorganizowanie wyjazdu na kurs choreografii i tańców ludowych na Uniwersytecie Marii Curie-Skłodowskiej w Lublinie. W tym czasie funkcje kierownika artystycznego i choreografii pełnił baletmistrz z Teatru Wielkiego w Warszawie p. Tadeusz Batogowski. Jego krakowiak jak również tańce góralskie podbiły serca wszystkich widzów na estradach Alberty. Później panie Anna, Barbara i Maria Filipowskie zostały instruktorkami po ukończeniu 4-letnieg kursu i otrzymaniu dyplomu choreografii i tańców ludowych. Wzbogaciły one program zespołu tańcami lubelskimi, kurpiowskimi, żywieckimi, śląskimi, cieszyńskimi, kaszubskimi, opoczyńskimi, rzeszowskimi, wielkopolskimi i warmińskimi. Oprócz wyżej wymienionych instruktorek na kursach w Lublinie byli następujący tancerze zespołu: Krysia Keller (2 lata), Angela Kwiatkowska (2 lata), Ewa Filipowska (2 Lata), Marek Cygun (2 lata), Debbie Wojda (1 rok) John Sanders (1 rok) i Marianna Sanders (1 rok). Całkowite koszty podróży i pobytu na kursie ponosili rodzice. Tylko w roku 1986 i 1987 dwoje tancerzy otrzymało dotację od rządu prowincji Alberta na pokrycie kosztów podróży. Instruktorzy zespołu przygotowali szereg występów w szkołach, szpitalach czy Muzeum Prowincjonalnym. Zespół brał systematycznie udział we wszystkich uroczystościach polonijnych i akademiach z okazji świąt narodowych. Do ważniejszych występów, które przyniosły dla zespołu zasłużone uznanie można wymienić:

• Koncert Polonii Jutra – dwugodzinny program, którego konferansjerem był Bogumił Romanko
• Międzynarodowe Regaty 82 w Kelowna, British Columbia
• 10 – lecie Federacji Pań w Prince Albert, Saskatchewan
• Wizyta Jana Pawła II w Edmontonie, zespół w składzie 65 osób przygotował tańce żywieckie i dał 2-godzinny program
• VI Canadian Polish Folk Festival w Toronto
• Obchody 100-lecia Parków Narodowych w Rocky Mountain House
• 20-lecie Edmonton Folks Art. Council
• Światowy Kongres Wirusologów w Jubilee Auditorium
• Coroczny występ z okazji Canada Day

W ciągu 20 lat istnienia zespół wystąpił z 70 koncertami i brał udział w 144 przedstawieniach wspólnie z innymi grupami etnicznymi.  Jest on znany publiczności z Red Deer, St. Paul, Drayton Valley, Fort McMurray, Josephburg, Glendon, St. Albert i Stony Plain. Zespół wziął także udział w nagranym filmie “Polish Settlers in Alberta” oraz wystąpił kilkakrotnie w telewizji na stacji QCTV i w specjalnym programie „Village Square” na stacji ITV. Prowadzenie zespołu było pracą społeczną a wszystkie dotacje otrzymane od organizacji, były przeznaczone wyłącznie na pokrycie kosztów przejazdów. W roku 1990 w skład nowo wybranego zarządu wchodzą następujące osoby: Zbigniew Filipowski – prezes; Helena Faćsko -wiceprezes; Maria Filipowska – sekretarz, skarbnik; Inga Stankiewicz – komisja rewizyjna; Barbara Lembryk – komisja rewizyjna i Lucyna Lachacz – członek zarządu.

Zbigniew Filipowski

Źródło: Magazyn Polonii, styczeń 1990

Opis zdjęć:

1. Ewa Filipowski i Edward Stankiewicz w tańcu góralskim 1984
2. Grupa taneczna z instruktorami 1974
3. Tancerze zespołu w roku 1974

4, 5 Na występach w Prince Albert, Saskatchewan

6. Przygotowanie do występu z okazji wizyty Jana Pawła II w Edmontonie 1984. Na pierwszym planie Zbigniew Filipowski.
7. VI Canadian Polish Festival – Toronto, Ontario
8. W Kelownie, B.C. w przerwie występów „Regaty 82”
9. Na jednej z akademii w Domu Polskim w Edmontonie
10. Na festiwalu w Toronto w 1985r, od lewej R. Bochiński, M. Cygun, E. Stankiewicz i D. Bochiński

The Young Polish Canadian Dancers and Singers of Edmonton

“From a real Eagle” says 12-years old Gregg Filipowski, his dark eyes shining, as he strokes the long brownish-colored feather in the band of his round felt hat that tops off his costume for the Mountaineer, one of the dancers from the repertoire of the Young Polish Canadian Dancers and Singers of Edmonton.

This group, which had its beginning in 1969, has been entertaining audiences in Edmonton at the Provincial Museum, the Polish Hall, senior citizens’ homes, recreation centres and hospitals since the latter part of that year, performing at National Days or other special occasions. But after two or three years of weekly practices they were invited to take their show on the road. Gregg’s mother Mrs. Maria Filipowska, worked with the committee from the Polish School in the original organization of the group, and has been secretary-treasurer for the past five years. Mr. Zbigniew Filipowski was elected chairman about a year ago. Their four daughters Ewa, Maria, Anna and Barbara have also been members of the dance group since its inception.  “Each year now we do a tour, traveling by Greyhound bus. Our first trip was to Grande Prairie in September 1973. We’ve been to Bonnyville twice, as well as to Atabasca and Radway. Grants from the federal and provincial governments are used to pay transportation costs, and the Polish community of the town or area are visiting is very generous and supplying meals for the dancers” says Mrs. Filipowski. The 45 members of the group, 10 of whom are boys, range 5 to 18, and all of them look forward to their out-of-town performances. “We all take our sleeping bags and usually spend the night in the church hall. The people are always so friendly” adds Maria. And her younger sister, Ewa agrees. “It’s fun – just like picnic”. At first the dancers wore costumes made at home by their parents, but last year when the grant was received from the Carling Art Foundation special costumes were ordered from Poland. There are now being worn by the dancers and are authentic right from the eagle feathers and intricately hand-embroidered velvet vests, to the high soft leather boots that are a very important item both to the appearance of the dance and to the comfort of the dancer. Each region of Poland has its own special costume and music. The boys who dance the Mountaineer wear embroidered white woolen pants, white shirts, green vests, and black felt hats, complete with traditional eagle feather. They carry a ciupaga, a special axe whose handle ends in a sharp metal point, used in climbing. The ciupaga is used in many of the jumps and steps of the dance. The girl’s costume for the dance is a brightly flowered, very full skirt, topped with white blouse and apron and complemented  by hand embroidered green velvet vest.

When the Young Polish Canadian Dancers and Singers perform, they endeavour to show the dances of reach region, so with this in mind they have perfected the Mountaineer, the Krakowiak, the Mazurek, the Polka, the Trojak, the Oberek, the Kujawiak and the Polonaise. Not only do they learn the steps of the dances, but also something of their history. Many Polish dancers were part of the nuptial or harvest down from generation to generation from as far back as pagan times. The swaying rhythms of the Kujawiak evoke a picture of the wide golden cornfields, the Mazurka thrills with its swaggering melody and throbbing beat, and the Krakowiak expresses of the Cracow countryside. Polish folk dances were an inspiration to Chopin, who was born near Warsaw and who composed, among many other musical works, 40 Mazurkas and 15 Polonaises. The Polonaise is one of the first dances taught to the 5-7 years-old children by the instructor Mrs. Buksiński. “We like the children to start dancing at this age, to learn the various movements. If they become interested at 5 or 6 they don’t mind giving up other activities to come out to the weekly practices” says Mrs. Filipowski. From this beginning they graduate to 8-13 age group, in which the girls are taught by Miss Yola Neufeldt, then they go on to the more advanced class, under Brother Zbigniew Zapasek. The six boys in the Mountaineer receive special instruction from Brother Władek Karciarz. There is a tremendous amount of work involved in looking after the costumes. Between performances Mrs. Filipowski keeps them at home. When the group travels usually four parents go along to help with the younger members, and also with costume changes during a performance.  Packing the costumes, even the necessary hats for some of the dances, presents something of a problem. “We use cartons, suitcases, and long plastic covers. When travelling by bus it is not too difficult because there is lots of room, but fitting these items into cars is another matter. Sometimes at local performances the Polish Orchestra plays for the dancers, but on trip they take along their own taped music. All of the dancers are singers too. Their choir director, Sister Humilitas, accompanies them on their trips, and often the whole group sings as it travels by bus. Choir numbers are performed at intervals during a program to lend variety and give the dancers time to change their costumes. In 1974 the Young Polish Canadian Dancers and Singers went to Red Deer to appear in “The Arts and You” program. On June 30^th and July 1^st 1975 they again visited that city to take part in the International Folk Festival.   July 26^th  saw them performing at the Youth Pavilion during Klondike festivals, and on August 4^th they were a colorful part of Heritage Days at Fort Edmonton. During July three of the senior girls Kristne Keller, Barbara and Anna Filipowski have been attending courses in Lublin, Poland studying dancing and music. The knowledge they gain will be shared with the whole group when practices are resumed in the fall. Polish dances and folk songs are a tribute to the beauty and diversity of the land and their origin. The Young Polish Canadian Dancers and Singers of Edmonton are endeavouring to share with audiences throughout Alberta their interpretation of this important aspects of their heritage.

Hilda Ross

Heritage, September 1975

VI Canadian Polish Folk Festival

In 1969, under the initiative of Mr. Michael Jędrasik a Polish dance group and choir was formed at the Henryk Sienkiewicz Polish Saturday School in Edmonton. After less than four months, the dancers and singers gave their first performance at the annual May 3rd celebration.
During the fall of the same year, the group gave its first performance outside the Polish community, at the annual United Nations Festival.
The group continued to take part in this festival until the U.N. Association folded.
The group flourished with the Saturday Polish school until 1971, when it was reorganized and given its present name: THE YOUNG POLISH-CANADIAN DANCERS & SINGERS of Edmonton.
The first committee consisted of:Michael Jedrasik – President; Tadeusz Kiryczuk – Vice-president; Maria Filipowska – Secretary/Treasurer;Reverend Father Ryszard Kosian and Stanley Fill-Board of Directors.
In 1973, The Young Polish Canadian Dancers and Singers of Edmonton started performing outside the city entertaining the small Polish communities of Radway and Kopernik. The groups repertoire then consisted of Krakowiak, Kujawiak, Mazur, polonez and a choir under the direction of Sr. Humilitas. The first major provincial performance was in Grande Prairie where the group received a very warm Polish welcome from the Polish Community.
In 1974 Mr. Zbigniew Filipowski become the new president.
The The Góralskie dances were added to the group’s repertoire.
These dances were enthusiastically received by audiences in Red Deer, Athabasca and Bonnyville.
Three members of the dance group attended the Polish Folk Dance Course for Choreographers and Instructors in Lublin, Poland during the summer of 1975. They came back and increased the group’s repertoire to include dances such as: Lubelskie, Kurpiowskie, Żywieckie, Śląskie, Cieszyńskie Kaszubskie and Opoczyńskie.
The late Mr. Tadeusz Botagowski of the Warsaw Theatre became artistic Director and Choreographer of the group in 1976.
His Krakowiak was a smashing success with all the audiences.
With the return of Mr. Batogowski to Poland the following year, Anna and Barbara Filipowski became the choreographers of the group.
One of the highlights in the group’s  history was the Tenth Anniversary Concert in 1979.
The one and a half hour show pat rayed songs and dances from nine regions of Poland.
The Young Polish Canadian Dancers and Singers of Edmonton have been members of the Edmonton Folk Arts Council for the past twelve years.
The first out of province performance was in Kelowna B.C. at the 1982 Kelowna Regata. 1984 saw another our of province performance in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. Over the past 16 years, the group has given sixty-five concerts and one hundred and twenty-five performances.
The group is kept busy by performing at the annual Canada Day Celebrations the Provincial Museum, various inner city festivities, hospitals, malls and special occasions such as Edmonton’s NS Alberta’s 75th Anniversary and the Pope’s visit. The group was also involved in the filming of “ POLISH SETTLERS OF ALBERTA” part of a series of films on ethnic settlers of Alberta.
At its present stage, the group has fifty-four members including two children’s  groups. The majority of the costumes owned by the dance group are made by Mrs. Filipowski, Anna, Maria, and some members, with the exception of a few sets which were bought in Poland.
The groups president for the past ten years has been Mr. Zbigniew Filipowski, The present artistic Directors and Choreographers are Anna and Maria Ewa Filipowski.
We take this time at the annual Canadian Polish Folk Festival in Toronto, We are very pleased and proud to take part in it.

Maria and Zbigniew Filipowski

Directors

Straw Vase and Flowers

This straw vase and flowers were made by Antoni and Maria Podrazny from Ryley, Alberta.
They were presented to “ The Young Polish Canadian Dancers and Singers of Edmonton “ on June 24, 1973
The young troupe of dancers and singers was invited by Fr. Thaddeus Rataj, Pastor of St. John the Baptist Church in Polska, Alberta also known as Kopernik, to perform at annual parish feast day – Odpust Parafialny.
The young dancers and singers sang under the direction of Mr. Tadeusz Kiryczuk during Mass, and then performed at the Polska Hall.
In recognition of their performance, the group was presented with this vase made from straw by Antoni Podrazny.
The flowers were made by his wife Maria.
This vase had been kept by the Filipowski family since 1973, and gifted to the Canadian Polish Historical Society in 2019.
I remember that the parents and children met at Holy Rosary Parish early Sunday morning.
It was a beautiful sunny day, and a caravan of cars left the parking lot of the church and drove towards Holden.
To our dismay it started to rain during the drive but had stopped by the time we arrived at our destination.
The parents had a vague idea where Kopernik was. Our hosts told us that they would leave markers on the road so we would know where to turn off of Highway 14
As we came closer to Holden the first marker appeared on the side of road.
A balloon tied to a sign that read “ Polska Hall “ Mr. Adolf Wątek was in the lead car. He pulled off to the side of the highway followed by the rest of the cars, ( Filipowski, Fill, Kiryczuk, Jędrasik, Kluziński, Lembryk, Woloshinski ) “ This must be it” , he said.
We turned off of the main highway and followed other signs that led us to Polska Hall. As we finally arrived at our destination, I was surprised to see church, a cemetery, a hall across from the church, and fields as far as the eye could see.
I was expecting small town called Kopernik with a Main Street and houses. Mr. Tadeusz Kiryczuk the organist from Holy Rosary Parish, who was also our choir instructor played the organs at the festive Mass and led us in song. What a delight it was for us children to sit in the choir and sing polish hymns during Mass.
All I could focus on was the blue celling with the gold stars during the entire Mass.
It was like being in heaven. After Mass we changed into our costumes and performed on the small stage of the hall.
What impressed me the most as a 14-year old girl was the attentiveness of the audience.
It was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop.
The room was full of people sitting at table and gazing at the performers.
At the end of the performance the group was thanked and presented with a vase made from straw, and flowers made from crepe paper and pipe cleaners.
After the performance Fr. Rataj invited everyone from Edmonton to his rectory in Holden.
As it was a beautiful day, everyone sat outside the rectory; the fathers drinking beer, mothers sipping coffee, while we children played or sat quietly sipping on lemonade or soft drinks so as not to disturb the adults who were conversing.
Fr. Joseph Leszczynski was also there.”
Reminiscence written by Anna Filipowski, member of the Young Polish Canadian Dancers and Singers of Edmonton from 1969 to 1989