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Polanie Dance Group

Polanie is a vibrant Polish folk-dance group for children, affiliated with St. John Paul II Polish School in Lemont, IL. Our mission is to introduce young dancers to the rich traditions of Poland through the captivating dances from five ethnographically diverse regions: Greater Poland, Lesser Poland, Mazovia, Silesia, and Pomerania.

Founded in 2000, Polanie has celebrated over two decades of success on the folk dance stage. Our ensemble, under the artistic direction and choreography of Michał Dziadkowiec, is led by professional dance instructors dedicated to bringing the beauty of Polish culture to life

History and Achievements of the Ensemble

Since its inception, Polanie and St. John Paul II Polish School have been supported by the Polish Roman Catholic Union of America (PRCUA). As a part of the PRCUA, dancers gain access to exclusive benefits, including financial support in the form of annual subsidies that help offset dance class fees.

Through PRCUA, dancers can also access scholarships, participate in sports tournaments, attend the Cinderella and Prince Ball, and join in other cultural events, enriching their Polish-American experience. These opportunities extend into higher education, where dancers may apply for academic scholarships provided by the PRCUA.

Classes & Age Groups

Classes take place on Saturdays from 1:00 PM to 3:30 PM, immediately following the Polish school session. Our dancers are divided into three age groups:

  • Group A (Oldest): Ages 11–14 (M. Dziadkowiec)
  • Group B (Middle): Ages 8–10 (P. Szyrzyna)
  • Group C (Youngest): Ages 4–7 (D. Gornikowski)

Performances & Collaborations

In collaboration with St. John Paul II Polish School, Polanie performs at numerous events throughout the school year, bringing Polish culture to the community. The ensemble also participates in the International Children’s Folk Dance Festival in Iwonicz-Zdrój, where they showcase their talents on a global stage.

Performances

  • Friday, December 20 – Nativity Play at the Polish School. Please bring the children no later than 7:00 PM.
  • Saturday, December 21 – Nativity Play at the Polish School. Please bring the children no later than 11:00 AM.
  • Sunday, December 22 – Polish Club Christmas Wafer Sharing Event. Please bring the children no later than 12:00 PM.
  • Thursday, February 13 – Lemont Park District – Culture Fair (Ms. Patrycja and Mr. Mikey’s group). Time TBD.
  • Saturday, February 15 – Carnival Ball celebrating the school’s 45th anniversary at Crystal Grand, Lemont. Time TBD.

 

This post is also available in: Polish