Edward J. Rajtar 2239 Stinson Boulevard Northeast Minneapolis MN 55418-4038 (612) 781-6688 edziuR@aol.com dolina_pfd@hotmail.com dolina.org Work Samples Video: video clip 1 (higher bandwidth, DSL, ISDN, T1) video clip 1 (lower bandwidth, 56K) video clip 2 (higher bandwidth, DSL, ISDN, T1) video clip 2 (lower bandwidth, 56K) To view the work samples, Windows Media Player is required. If you do not have it installed, you can download it for free here: Download Windows Media Player

Dolina Polish Folk Dancers Polish dance For more than 50 years Dolina Polish Folk Dancers have been thrilling audiences here and abroad with their performances of the national dances of Poland. The folk culture of Poland dates back several centuries, and customs and traditions vary significantly from region to region, each having its own unique style in dance, music, and costume. Dolina's extensive repertoire includes dances and songs from diverse regions performed in colorful authentic costumes, with music and choreography, plus a suite of the national dances of Polandóthe Mazur and Polonaise. Performances are versatile and flexible, varying from a fifteen-minute show to a full two-hour concert designed to entertain and educate any size audience. Available: Anytime, no mileage restrictions Space: Large enough area to dance Fee: Negotiable

Additional Information:
For over 50 years, the Dolina Polish Folk Dancers have performed the traditional songs and dances of Poland. They've performed before local, national and international audiences, including several times at the largest Polish Folk Dance Festival in Poland that occurs every three years in Rzeszow.
Over the past few decades, Polish folk dance groups throughout the world have worked to keep traditional Polish dance alive in Poland and among Polonia, while presenting Polish culture to the outside world. Dolina presents national, regional, and festive dances in an exciting concert format. Dances and songs are woven together into regional dance suites, and colorful costumes specific to the individual region are worn for each different suite. Many regional dance traditions are hundreds of years old.
Dolina Polish Folk Dancers is a Twin Cities-based group consisting of local performers who share a love for Polish culture and history. The group was formed in 1949 by Lillian and Ray Kurkowski and Stanley Baudur. As Dolina grew, professional choreographers from Poland and the U.S. were invited to teach the group and help to create new dance suites. Over the years several members trained to become instructors including Edward Rajtar, the artistic director of the group, who studied dance and choreography in Poland and holds a diploma in choreography of Polish folk dance. In quite a few instances, the children and now grandchildren of early members also perform with Dolina. Today this thriving organization has about fifty members, its own orchestra and its own choir. It has fifteen complete sets of costumes (most made in Poland). The group is always in the process of bringing in new pieces and varying steps to keep their performances fresh and exciting.
Dolina welcomes all folks who are interested in becoming members of the group. An interest in Polish folk culture is all that is necessary (not all the performers have Polish roots.) A children's group and a new teen-age group are also associated with Dolina.
Performances of the group are flexible, ranging from a fifteen-minute show to a full two-hour concert. Dolina s repertoire includes fourteen regional suites and a suite of national dances performed in the ornate fur and velvet costumes of royalty. Performances include the choir and are accompanied by live music.