Witold Lutoslawski

UW School of Music and UW Polish Studies Endowment Fund present a centennial event celebrating the Year of Witold Lutoslawski. The program includes: a documentary about the composer as well as his Variations on a Theme by Paganini for Two Pianos performed by duo Ivona Kaminska-Bowlby & Chris Bowlby and Partita for Violin and Piano played by UW students. Lutoslawski (1913-1994) is an internationally renowned composer, known for his aleatory (mournful) technique and famous for his Third Symphony.

Where: Brechemin Auditorium, Music Building at the University of Washington campus; admission free

More: Witold Lutoslawski, UW School of Music

The book for the meeting is Ciemno, prawie noc by Joanna Bator, published by WAB in 2013. Bator, 32, is a scholar and philosopher as well as an essayist and writer. The novel is a slowly unfolding crime story with the child abuse theme drawing the reader in with a mixture of realistic & magical depictions of the author’s native Walbrzych & Ksiaz in Silesia. The book has won the 2013 Nike Award, i.e. the best book in Poland.

Where: at the Green Lake Public Library in Seattle; admission free, in Polish

More: about book (PL), Joanna Bator, Polish Book Club

The Polish Choir Vivat Musica invites everyone to a Biesiada concert I jeszcze raz! This is another great sing-along evening that also includes favorite melodies sung on the audience requests! The Polish Home restaurant is open from 5 pm. A baby sitting service will be available during the evening!

Where: at the Polish Cultural Center Dom Polski; tickets $25 include two glasses of wine; please contact Barbara Niesulowski 206-434-6106 for reservation and more info.

More: contact for the Choir Barbara Niesulowski

The Polish Hall & Library presents a celebration of the Year of  Kolberg. Oskar Kolberg (1814-1890) was a composer but he is celebrated in Poland for his monumental work as an ethnographer documenting folk traditions of all Polish regions. The program includes a short intro about Kolberg and a concert by MTDuo Tatiana Kolchanova (violin, piano) and Mary Rowell (violin, viola) who will play selections from the Kolberg song archives as well as music by Moszkowski, Oginski, Kowalewski, Hanke & Chopin.

Where: at the Polish Hall & Library in Portland, OR; tickets $10

More: about Kolberg, tickets and more info, contact Agnieszka Laska or call (503) 233-0512

37th Portland International Film Festival presents the movie Walesa: Man of Hope directed by Andrzej Wajda and starring Robert Wieckiewicz. The film is a moving tribute to the Solidarity hero and the Polish President Lech Walesa and includes excerpts from Oriana Fallaci's historic interview with Walesa. In Polish with English and Italian subtitles.

Where: at 37th Portland International Film Festival in Portland, OR

More: the movie at PIFF. There also is a reception before the screening on Feb 17.

37th Portland International Film Festival presents the movie Ida directed by Pawlikowski. This 2013 black and white film, set in Poland in 1960s, stars Agata Trzebuchowska as the 18-year-old orphan who is about to take the final vows as a nun in a convent when she discovers her Jewish roots and Agata Kulesza as her worldly aunt on the journey of discovery. The films received many awards at international festivals. In Polish with English subtitles.

Where: at 37th Portland International Film Festival in Portland, OR

More: the movie at PIFF

The Polish Cultural Center invites everybody to a Valentine Day Party. Party from 8 pm to 12:30 am. The restaurant will be open from 7 pm to 10 pm; the bar will be open from 7:30 pm. Complimentary tea, coffee, hugs and kisses!

Where: at the Polish Cultural Center Dom Polski; tickets TBD

More: for more info please contact Irena Kordula

Till Feb 14: A. Lahti at a Group Exhibition in Edmonds

Meditation in Green

ArtsNow Gallery in Edmond Conference Center invites you to the Come out of the Dark: A Multi-Cultural Winter Solstice group exhibition. Among other artists, Alisa Lahti presents three of her magnificent cutout based work of arts. Stop by anytime or during the Edmonds Monthly Third Thursday Art Walk.

Where: at the Edmonds Conference Center in Edmonds, WA; admission free

More: Artist's website or contact Alisa Lahti

37th Portland International Film Festival presents the movie Aftermath / Poklosie directed by Wladyslaw Pasikowski. The movie, set in contemporary Poland, tells a story of two brothers who face a backlash in their own village when they persist inquiring about fate of their Jewish neighbors in WWII. The movie won several awards and nominations in Poland but also created a controversy. In Polish with English subtitles.

Where: at 37th Portland International Film Festival in Portland, OR

More: the movie at PIFF

The Chopin Foundation NW presents a concert featuring the winners of the 2014 NW Chopin Festival. As usual, the best young artists from our state are expected to deliver great performances of Chopin's music. The program includes winners of all age divisions, from youngsters to 16-18 years old and the winner of the separate concerto competition. The concerto winner will play with a professional string quartet. Awards ceremony will end the program.

Where: the UW School of Music on the UW campus in Seattle; admission free. The Festival auditions on February 1, Winners' Concert on February 2, Honorable Mentions' Concert on February 9, 2014.

More: 2014 NW Chopin Festival

The Polish Choir Vivat Musica! from Seattle will give a concert at the Ethnic Celebration in Lacey, WA. This family oriented event includes performances at 3 different stages as well as the usual booths with arts and crafts, ethnic food, vendors and children activities.

Where: at St. Martin's University in Lacey, WA; admission free.

More: for more information please contact Barbara Niesulowski, 206-434-6106