Vistula Dancers (San Francisco)Propagate Polish culture performing national and regional Polish dances
by Gene Harubin Zygmont
To ensure that Polish culture and traditions would exist and survive outside Poland, the Vistula Dancers was founded in 1989, under the auspices of the Polish Arts and Culture Foundation of San Francisco to propagate Polish culture through dance. This dynamic and colorful group performs national and regional Polish dances at private as well as public events throughout the Bay Area and beyond. The group derived its title from the Vistula river.
The Vistula (Wisla) is a river entirely confined within Polish borders. From its wellspring in the Beskid Mountains, it flows through the heartland of Poland until it empties into the Baltic Sea. An old Polish adage states that "as long as the Vistula flows, Poland will not perish."
Genia Nowak, Artistic Director, has studied Polish dance since childhood and has augmented her training by attending courses for choreographers in Lublin, Poland. She also traveled extensively throughout that country, purchasing authentic Polish costumes for the group. Prior to joining the Vistula Dancers Nowak performed and held office with the Lowiczanie, another Polish dance group in San Francisco.
Most recently, the Vistula Dancers performed at the Paderewski Festival in Paso Robles (March, 1993) and at the Festival of Poland, University of Hawaii at Manoa (July, 1993).
Apart from performing, the group also involves itself in many community functions. It holds workshops and lectures on Polish dance and costumes, and members often model regional Polish dress at cross-cultural events.
From: Polish Americans in California, vol. II. National Center for Urban Ethnic Affairs & Polish American Historical Association. California 1995.