[Gorale Dancers Picture]

Gorale

Inheritors of the first Polish folk dance group in Southern California

by Claire Andersen

To preserve Polish dance and folklore, Polish National Alliance (PNA) District XVI Commissioner Bronia Czarnecka organized the first Polish folk dance group the Polonia Folk Dancers in Southern California in 1951. Under the direction of Janina Wielkoszewka, the Polonia Folk Dancers performed for Polish and American audiences throughout Southern California. In 1971 Joanna Giedzinska became the director of the group and Rick Kobzi, who had joined the group in 1969, took over the reins in 1973.

Under the name of Mazur Polish Folk Dancers, the group shared the stage with such stars as Lawrence Welk, Sammy Davis Jr. and Pat Sajak. Throughout the years choreographers Jas Dziewanowski, Jan Nachrzter, Kasia Wrobel, Ronald Wilga and Jan Sejda have worked with the dancers. For several decades Ed Kaminski served as the Mazurs' announcer and his wife, Eugenia Kaminski was costume coordinator. According to an old Polish saying "nobody loves to dance more than a Mazur, who will get up and dance even after he is pronounced dead." The Mazur Polish Folk Dancers certainly showed this spirit.

In 1985, the group adopted a new name, Gorale, and continued to be financially supported by the Polish National Alliance. Gorale participates in PNA Youth Jamborees and performs for the Los Angeles County Fair continuing a performance tradition of more then 40 years. In keeping with the original purpose of the organization, the Gorale delight audiences with dances from the courts of Polish nobility as well as from rural Polish villages.

From: Polish Americans in California, vol. II. National Center for Urban Ethnic Affairs & Polish American Historical Association. California 1995.