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Chant et danse WICI

Group Photo

Documents

Informations sur le groupe

Emplacement

Chicago, IL, USA

Type de groupe

(à venir)

Genre de groupe

Polish / Western American

Groupe Catégorie d'âge

Youth/ Adult (15-38 years old)

Style de performance

(À déterminer)

Music Type

(type de musique)

Taille du groupe

(taille du groupe à déterminer)

Lieu de la prochaine tournée

(À déterminer)

Dates de la tournée à venir

July 19 - August 4, 2025

Site Web du groupe

Biographie du groupe

(Biographie du groupe à venir)

Visites précédentes auxquelles j'ai participé

(Nom du directeur du groupe)

Magdalena Solarz – Artistic Director & President of WICI Chicago Magdalena Solarz is the founder and Artistic Director of the WICI Song & Dance Company, also known as Zespół Pieśni i Tańca "Wici". She also serves as the President of the organization, which operates as a non-profit under the Polish National Alliance. She emigrated from Poland to Chicago in 1974, bringing with her a rich cultural heritage. Her grandparents, Zofia and Ignacy Solarz, were notable cultural educators, founders of the first Polish University of People (Uniwersytet Ludowy). Magdalena continues and honors those traditions through her leadership of WICI. She received the prestigious Gold Cross of Merit from the Polish government for her outstanding contributions in promoting Polish culture through dance and music. She has also been honored as a Master Teacher by the Illinois Department of Arts and received multiple state grants supporting Ethnic Arts Programs in Illinois. Her contributions have been recognized with commendatory letters from several dignitaries, including President George W. Bush, Illinois Governors Jim Edgar and George Ryan, Mayor Richard Daley of Chicago, and state treasurer Judy Baar Topinka. Under her guidance, WICI comprises around 80 adult dancers, singers, and musicians, supplemented by youth and children's divisions with approximately 200 children. The ensemble tours extensively, performing across the U.S., as well as internationally in Poland, Canada, Mexico, Italy, and the Caribbean. Their rich repertoire spans national Polish dances such as the Polonaise, Mazur, Krakowiak, Kujawiak, Oberek, and regional suites, all rooted in authentic music and song, enhanced by traditional handmade costumes. Notable collaborations include performing with the International Music Theater in “Halka” and “Straszny Dwór”, partnering with ballet and opera companies in productions like The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Coppelia, The Haunted Manor, Halka, and The Bat. Her troupe also featured prominently in the 50th anniversary celebrations, including theatrical-musical productions styled after Polish folk traditions, with choreography inspired by works of Zofia Solarzowa, directed by Magdalena Solarz and co-director Iwona Puc. WICI’s mission is to sustain and promote Polish culture across generations through community engagement, education, and performance. The organization is also deeply integrated in the Polish National Alliance, serving as its official cultural ambassador since 1983.

Médias

Site Web du groupe

Avis

Visites précédentes auxquelles j'ai participé

2010 - Festival Zacatecas Del Folclor Internacional, Mexico 

2011 - International Folk Festival, Guadeloupe Island 

2012 - Festival International de Folklore 'Cultures et Traditions du Monde' de Romans, France 

2012 (2) - Folk Cantanhede, Portugal 

2013 - Folkmoot, United States 

2014 - World Festival of Polish Folk Dance and Music Ensembles, Poland 

2015 - Intern. Folklore Festival Festivalul Inimilor, Romania 

2015 (2) - 'VRŠACKI VENAC' -Vršac, Serbia 2015 (3) - Orfeo 

2015 International Folk Festival, Serbia 

2015 (4) - VELIKO TARNOVO International Folklore Festival 

2016 - Festival Internacional de Folclor, Passo Fundo, Brazil 

2017 - 53rd International Folklore Festival in Zagreb, Croatia 

2017 (2) - International Folklore Festival - Hoogstraten, Belgium 2018 - FESTIDANZA International Folklore Dance Festival Arequipa, Peru 

2019 - World Festival of Polish Folk Dance and Music Ensembles, Poland 

2022 - CIOFF Folklore Festival in Neustadt, Germany 

2022 (2) - Ballus 2022, Sardinia, Italy 

2023 - International Folk Dance and Music Festival "Summer in Ohrid", North Macedonia 

2023 (2) - World Festival of Polish Folk Dance and Music Ensembles, Poland 

2024 - Kadans World Dance and Music Festival 

2024 (2) - Festival Folclórico Internacional de Vigo, Festival Internacional de Folclore de Narón, F. I. F. Arroyo de la Encomienda - Spain (Circuit)

2025 CIOFF Bulgaria- IFF Veliko Tarnovo 

2025 CIOFF Portugal- Festival Internacional de Folclore Rio

© 2025 par CIOFF® USA

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CIOFF® USA est l'un des principaux promoteurs d'initiatives artistiques populaires et culturelles à travers les États-Unis.

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