The guests were entertained by a Chopin mini-recital by pianist Stephen Metzler, songs by Polish Jazz singer Marzanna Bachowska, and a medley of traditional dances and songs from Upper Silesia performed by “Young Polanie” – a group of young performers dressed in beautiful regional costumes rarely seen outside Poland.
A new addition to the ball this year was a small “art and wine” silent auction. Rather than being a planned event, the auction happened ad hoc and as a response to the great generosity of a number of donors, who presented organizers with a collection of stunning glass objects (Mariusz and Dorota Rynkiewicz, and James Curtis) as well as several bottles of real Spanish wines (Almudena de Llaguno, who also donated wine for the ball’s consumption). The auction was very well received by guests and brought significant profit. It will likely become a permanent addition for future balls.
The tradition of Viva Polonia Ball, though new, has already won itself a group of aficionados. They enjoy its unique atmosphere – elegant and stylish, but affable and lively – and share its organizers’ conviction about the importance of supporting Polish Studies at the University of Washington.
The enthusiasm and hard work of the organizers, the eagerness of all those volunteers who assisted them throughout the different stages of this project, and the generosity of donors and guests, combined to produce an inspiring result, as the ball turned a profit of $4000, all of which was donated to the Polish Distinguished Speakers Fund at the University of Washington.
The Ball was organized by
Viva Polonia Cultural Association:
Jan & Barbara Zoltowski
and Lidia Jasklowska, Maria Kott, Bozena & Maciej Razniewski, Izabella Turska.
Volunteers:, Bożena Chudzińska, Maryjka Horoszowska, Wanda Pawluśkiewicz, Maria Grabowska (accompaniment), Ryszard, Amanda & Adam Dopierała (additional entertainment), Leszek Chudziński (master of ceremonies), Barbara Strutyński (director of Young Polanie group).