We had a very busy year 2018-2019, and are getting ready for equally busy and interesting season 2019-2020. The Modjeska Club will welcome the New Year on December 31, 2019 with a New Year's Eve Ball! So save the date, and tell your friends. And see you in the fall during amazing Polish events that we will organize for you or co-sponsor!
Calendar of Events, Fall 2019
Saturday, September 7, 2019, 2 pm - WWII 80th Anniversary Concert at Santa Monica Public Library
This event, hosted by Polish American Congress of Southern CA at the main library in Santa Monica (6th and Santa Monica Blvd.) from 2 - 5 pm. will include Polish music provided by Marek Zebrowski and a quartet of musicians. These include Grazyna Bacewicz's String Quartet No. 1 (1938) and 4 popular film songs by Henryk Wars (written between 1930-1939). Besides the quartet, the selections will also include Chopin's Nocturne (from Polanski's film The Pianist) and Szymanowski's Mazurkas (selected from Op. 50), performed by Marek Zebrowski. Introductory remarks and a historical overview will also be provided by Marek and the Consul General. Refreshments will be served afterward courtesy of Wanda Presburger Helena Kolodziej. Posters depicting the beginning of the WWII and Poland's First to Fight will be shown courtesy of the Consulate of Poland. The event itself is free of charge however parking costs are nominal. Seating is limited to 146 available seats in the library auditorium. There is no RSVP, the Modjeska Club sponsors the event with $250 donation and will have 25 reserved seats. The auditorium opens at 1 p.m. so the earlier the better.
From September 13, 2019 - Another Day of Life, film about Ryszard Kapuscinski, at Laemmle Theater in Glendale
GKIDS will soon release ANOTHER DAY OF LIFE, based on the book by celebrated Polish journalist Ryszard “Ricardo” Kapuściński. The film follows Kapuściński in 1975 as he reports from Luanda while civil war breaks out following Angola’s independence from Portugal. Against all advice, Kapuściński is intent on driving south into the heart of the bloody conflict to find the isolated rebel leader Farrusco. You can click go to AnotherDayOfLifeMovie.com for additional information.
The film will be playing in Los Angeles at the Laemmle Glendale starting September 13th.
Saturday, September 21, 2019, 6 pm - Prof. Andrzej Targowski's Lecture at the Iwanczyk Residence
Prof. Targowski will present his recent book "Borders of Civilizations" published in 2019. The event will include catered dinner and will be the first gathering of club members only after vacations. Free to members. The Iwanczyk address will be sent to members in an email. Bring your own beverages and fruit for dessert. The club will order the dinner and cakes. Andrew (Andrzej) Targowski is a Polish-American computer scientist specializing in enterprise computing, societal computing, information technology impact upon civilization, information theory, wisdom theory, and civilization theory. One of the pioneers of applied information systems in Poland, he is an executive, university professor, scientist, civilizationist, philosopher, visionary, writer, and generalist. In Poland he is known for developing a computerized the social security number (PESEL, 1972–74) for 38 million citizens,[4] a prototype of INFOSTRADA (1972–1974), and authoring of the first books on applied information technology in business, economy, and society. In the United States he has developed one of the first digital cities in the U.S., teleCITY of Kalamazoo, Michigan (1992–1996). He concentrated on the cognitive informatics-oriented development of the theories of enterprise-wide system, information, communication, civilization, and wisdom.
Saturday, September 28, 2019, 7 pm. - Konrad Wilk Presents 80/75 - Warsaw at War - poetry and songs about WWII and Warsaw Uprising
We include this event on the list, to encourage Modjeska Club members to attend. The performance will commemorate the 80th anniversary of the start of WWII and the 75th anniversary of the Warsaw Uprising. Konrad Wilk writes: "80/75 - Warsaw at War - on Saturday, September 28, 2019 at the Santa Monica Playhouse at 7pm I will stage an artistic commemoration in honor of the 80th anniversary of the siege of Warsaw and the 75th anniversary of the 1944 Warsaw Uprising.
The program ENTIRELY IN POLISH will feature poetry and narrative performed by the amazing Ms. Monika Ekiert and the talented Mr. Lukas Dziemidok, with songs performed by the wonderful Mrs. Jolanta Tensor and the sultry Mrs. Sylvia Wilk and a waltz by Ms. Ewa Violet and Mr. Krzystof Glowinkowski. We will have the honor of introduction remarks by Dr. Maja Trochimczyk. Mr Dave Rodgers has been amazing in his technical, musical and theatrical assistance as has Mr. Nickolas Stephens in his role as costume director, along with stage set design assistance of Ms Ewa Violet, and advertisement of Ula Jaskolka Beaudoin and graphics of Mr. Andrew Kolo. Special thanks go to Ms. Elizabeth Kanski for her invaluable assistance. I want to also thank my mother Ms. Liliana Tademar for allowing us to use material from her mother's Dr. Alicia Burakowska's diary. The show is $25.00 - either by e-mail or at the door. Refreshments will be served at 6pm." LOCATION: Santa Monica Playhouse, 1211 4th St, Santa Monica, CA 90401 - parking across the street in Parking Lot 1; near corner of Wilshire Blvd and 4th Street.
More information: KonradWilk@gmail.com
Sunday, September 29, 2019, 3 pm - Classical Piano Recital by the Yoder Brothers at Prof. Kocyan Residence, Baldwin Hills
Dominik, Lukasz and Kasper Yoder are the children of pianists Roza Kostrzewska-Yoder, well known as a piano teacher promoting Polish music to all her students, and Douglas Yoder. The young pianists have started to participate in international competition and we decided to present their talents to the Modjeska Club members and guests. The recital will feature Polish music at the home of Prof. Wojciech Kocyan in Baldwin Hills. Reception to follow.
Lukasz Yoder has been playing piano since the age of four. Enriched by the musical tradition of his mother and teacher Roza Kostrzewska Yoder whose studies with Jan Ekier place her in direct lineage to the music teacher and pianist Theodor Leschetitzky, Lukasz has received numerous accolades for his “revolutionary” performances marked by their “controlled intensity”. Grand Prize Winner of the Lansum International Music Festival, Lukasz is a top prizewinner of the Beverly Hills National Auditions, Claudette Sorel International Piano Competition in Fredonia, New York, Classics Alive National Auditions, The Kosciuszko Foundations National Chopin Competition in Washington D.C. (category 16-18 years old), The International Chopin Competition in Hartford, Connecticut, Glendale Piano Competition, MTAC, MTNA, CAPMT State Finals, and the statewide Kathryn Gawartin Chopin Competition. Lukasz has performed concerts on both coasts of the United States, Europe and Puerto Rico, in venues that include Zipper Hall of the Colburn School of Music, the Polish Embassy in Washington DC, the Kosciuszko Foundation’s headquarters in NYC, the Steinway Society of Puerto Rico, the Dzialynski Palace and White Hall of Poznan, Poland, as well as Zelazowa Wola, Chopin's birthplace. Lukasz has had lessons or masterclasses with Garrick Ohlsson, Eteri Andjaparidze, Edward Wolanin, Dina Yoffe, Natalia Troull, Pawel Nersessian, Antoinette Perry, Dmitri Rachmanov, Baruch Meir, and Wojciech Kocyan. He has recorded for Polish Radio and Television, and been featured in the Polish and American Press.
Dominik Yoder began studying piano at the age of three. He was awarded the Gold Medal in the 2018 Kosciuszko Foundation Competition for Young Pianists in Washington, D.C. (category 13-15 years old) Dominik also received: First Prize in the 2017 MTAC State and CAPMT State Competitions and the 2017 Parness Concerto Competition; Honorable Mention and a Special Prize from the jury in the 2015 San Jose International Piano Competition; Second Prize in the 2014 MTAC Pasadena Music Competition; and First Prize at the 2013 CAPMT State Level Honors Auditions, the 2012 Long Beach Mozart Festival, the 2012 Southern California Junior Bach Festival (Gold Medal), the 2009 SYMF Competition, the 2009 CAPMT Sonata Competition, the 2010 CAPMT Honors Auditions, and the 2011 CAPMT State competition. He has also been a prizewinner of the Glendale Piano Competition and Cypress Piano Competition. Dominik has performed in Żelazowa Wola, birthplace of Frederic Chopin, and for Polish radio and television. He has given concerts in the United States, Germany, and Puerto Rico. Dominik has also performed with the Culver City Symphony Orchestra and the Southwest Youth Chamber Music Festival Orchestra. He currently studies under Róża Kostrzewska Yoder. Dominik enjoys surfing and rock climbing.
Kasper Yoder is 12 years old and has already won prizes in several piano competitions, for instance in National Young Artists Auditions in Los Angeles, 2018 Lansum International Piano Festival and many more.
Two events of our friends:
Saturday, 5 October 2019 - 50th Anniversary Ball of Polam, Atheneum, Cal Tech Club, Pasadena
Sunday, 6 October 2019, 5 pm - "Chopin" play by Polish Teatr from Toronto presented by Klub PAPA, Orange County
Sztuka "Dobry Wieczor Monsieur Chopin" The Polish-Canadian Society of Theater invites you for an evening of beautiful music and impressions! Trained in Krakow, Maria Nowotarska and Agata Pilitowska brought their talents to Northern America when they began the Poetry, Music, and Theater Salon in Toronto, Canada. Now they are bringing their talents to Orange County. Tickets are $35 and $25 for members of the Modjeska Club. The performance will take place at Curtis Theater in Brea, CA, 1 Civic Center Circle, Brea, CA 92821. Doors open at 4 pm.
When purchasing ticket say you are a Modjeska Club Member and give your name for the list to be kept by Darek Swiatkowski. Only members with paid membership for 2019 are eligible for this discount.
Saturday, October 12, 2019 - Paderewski Lecture at USC
This year, the Polish Music Center’s annual Paderewski Lecture-Recital presents the latest expanded version of "Three Paderewskis" - on Saturday, October 12 at 8:00 p.m. in USC’s Newman Recital Hall. This presentation of an exciting musical-opera hybrid, steeped in Polish history will also feature a discussion with Oliver Mayer and Jenni Brandon.
The Modjeska Club supports this annual event with a donation of $250.
October 16, 2019 at 7 pm, Rebel Babel Ensemble at Live House Hollywood
LIVE HOUSE HOLLYWOOD - 1534 North Highland Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90028
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rebel-babel-orchestra-tickets-71701082869
REBEL BABEL ENSEMBLE is an international and unlimited Big Band of more than 10,000 musicians performing all over the world together.
The concert "Polish Hollywood Film Composers" is a journey into jazz, folk, hip-hop, classical and film music. Outstanding polish composers and producers including Krzysztof Herdzin, Maciej Obara (ECM JAZZ), Łukasz L.U.C. Rostkowski, reinterpreted the repertoire of world renowned film music authors like Krzysztof Komeda (Rosemary's Baby by R. Polański), Henryk Wars and oscar winners - Bronisław Kaper (Mutiny on Bounty) and Jan A.P. Kaczmarek (Finding Neverland). Film soundtracks with video mashups in brand new, often futuristic arrangements played with great power and energy by a large Big Band made up of European and local American young musicians merged with jazz icons - conducted by one of the most awarded young polish musicians Łukasz L.U.C. Rostkowski.
Meetings and workshops lead to grand gala concerts presented at the biggest festivals as well as crazy performances combining live music with the sounds of nature or technology. The project combines musicians, singers and composers from different regions, crossing cultures, languages and stylistic genres. REBEL BABEL is an experimental, innovative project that engages and invites musicians from various spheres and places to join the orchestra that raises important social problems. It combines contemporary music with local traditional music and high culture with street culture. The collective of professional musicians travels around the world organizing surreal performances as well as micro and macro-concerts. Conductor - Łukasz L.U.C. Rostkowski.
Friday, October 18, 2019 Polish Film Festival Los Angeles - Opening Gala
We encourage our members to attend the opening Gala of the Festival at the Writers' Guild Theater in Beverly Hills and its screenings in Santa Monica and North Hollywood.The Festival will open with VALLEY OF THE GODS by Lech Majewski, starring Josh Hartnett, Jaime Ray Newman, John Malkovich, among others. This year the Gala Opening will take place on Friday, October 18, 2019.
The Gala will take place at WGA Theatre in Beverly Hills, an extravagant start to a nine-days-long celebration of Polish Cinema through October 26, 2019 with subsequent screenings at the Laemmle's NoHo 7 and Monica Film Center Theaters and Hellada Gallery. The Modjeska Club supports this annual event with a donation of $250.
November, TBA (15 or 16) Meeting with Mariusz Brymora
Author of a new history of Polish diplomacy in the U.S. Mr. Brymora is former Consul General of Poland in California. At the home of Ewa and Efraim Barsam in Woodland Hills. Reception to follow.
Saturday, December 7, 2019, 6 pm. Marcin Gortat Presents an Evening of Christmas Carols
At the Beverly Hills residence of Helena and Stanley Kolodziey, Marcin Gortat will talk about his career and plans, and will present his favorite accordion player from New Orleans to play for us and with us in an evening of Christmas Carols. For club members only, limited seating, paid valet parking $15.
Tuesday, December 31, 2019, 8 pm. New Year's Eve Ball with Zbigniew Galazka
The Modjeska Club will welcome the New Year on December 31, 2019 with a New Year's Eve Ball, at the Imperial Ballroom, The Olympic Collection, 11301W. Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064 (just west of 405)! Evening attire, hors d'oeuvres, dinner, desserts, open bar, and dance music by Zbigniew Galazka - what's not to like? So save the date, and tell your friends. The reservations go to Elzbieta Przybyla, Treasurer, at 626 484 2537.
