“Zajączek’s” 19th annual recital was a high velocity, beautiful and energizing spectacle performed to a packed audience at the Warren Woods Auditorium.
108 kids and young adults with poise and gusto danced Polish national dances, Polish American polkas as well as modern dances, some of them inspired by different museums, such as the Henry Ford Museum, Maritime Museum and Motown Museum.
Throughout the evening there was an on-and-off focus on this year’s graduates, who started the evening with an elegant waltz. At the end they thanked their teachers, presented them with flowers and shared some glimpses of their many years with “Zajączek”.
As always, the youngest dancers (“małe zajączki”) brought the house down. The audience reacted to their performances with joy, laughter and applause, especially when they – in the words of the group’s director, Colleen Bonkowski – danced “not exactly what they rehearsed, but it was perfect”.
Many PRCUA dignitaries attended the recital; raffle baskets were numerous and exceptionally opulent, while the three lucky winners of the 50/50 raffle shared close to $900.
The importance of passing on traditions was clearly on display when a group of former graduates, some of them the parents of current group members, came to the stage to dance a very vigorous polka.
“Zajączek” embraces the spirit of family and community also through their charitable work. Currently they have been helping a navy veteran with five children by donating food and articles of clothing. At the recital there was also an opportunity to support this family.
The name “Zajączek” (“little bunny”) comes from the name of Tricia (Zając) Dennis, the group’s choreographer and one of “Zajączek”s founders, but also, very appropriately, is the name of one of the oldest known Polish dances, which originated as a war or a magic dance.
Unfortunately, because of the Russian-Ukrainian war, “Zajączek” is not going to perform in Poland this year, however they hope to go there, next time the Iwonicz Festival takes place.
Despite its diminutive name, “Zajączek” is a force to be reckoned with, and everybody, especially Colleen Bonkowski (director), Tricia Dennis (choreographer), Rachael Kasperek (choreographer), Donna Jaczkowski (costume director) and Yvonne Mouton (choreographer’s assistant), who makes it into such a wonderful and joyful space where Polish culture and fun thrive, deserve our deep gratitude.
Text and photos: Alina Klin
Additional photos: Ryan Michael (Thank you!)
To view more photos and videos from the recital, please visit https://www.facebook.com/PolishWeekly
