Deb Ziskovsky, Director 6075 50th Street West Webster MN 55088 (952) 652-2677 (612) 316-2126 (952) 652-2677 domaciczdance@aol.com 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

Domácí Czech Folk Dancers Czaech dance We are committed to preserving Czech customs and traditions through music, dance, and song, by performing programs of traditional Czech folk dancing that are as authentic as possible. Our members include various generations of Czech immigrants. Czech folk dancing is an old tradition dating back hundreds of years. We want to keep this piece of heritage alive for Czech communities, and make it available for younger generations to learn. We perform for various events and audiences, giving them the opportunity to experience the beauty of this tradition. Our instructors have traveled to the Czech Republic to learn the traditional dance steps and acquire authentic music from the different regions across the country. The colorful folk dress that is worn also comes directly from the Czech Republic. The name or our group, Domácí, means hometown when translated from the Czech language. Available: Primarily evenings and weekends Space: Minimal dance space of 18 by 18 ft. We provide our own sound system, however an electrical outlet is required. Fee: $250. This fee may be negotiable for nonprofit events and organizations. An additional fee may be added for travel.

Additional Information:
Deb and Arnie Ziskovsky decided to return to their home town of New Prague from the Twin Cities. They had been involved with a Czech folk dance group in the Twin Cities metro area, and hoped to continue out of their new community. Because there was no Czech folk dance group established, they decided to see if there would be any interest in New Prague. She circulated her idea to community groups and through the New Prague Times. In a short time there were enough people interested to start the group. Later, newer members were drawn from group members' friendship networks.

In the Czech language, Domácí means hometown. Most members of this dance group hail from Lonsdale, New Prague and Montgomery, an area within which Czechs were already established over a century ago. When one travels to these communities, one observes the legacy of the original immigrants in the great number of Czech names on signs and business names in the downtowns, in that many restaurants feature Czech specialties, and that the local radio stations continue to present polka music, despite national trends to country music and rock and roll. A compelling reason these things persevere is that many who live in the area believe the Czech heritage should be preserved.

Preserving the Czech heritage is the reason for existence of the Domácí Czech Folk Dance group. The group was established in 1999. They dance the steps and formations that were choreographed from village dances in Czechoslovakia generations ago. The group dances to traditional Czech folk dances played on the violins and Czech bagpipes, the instruments accompanying the older music existing in the old country a century and more ago. The costumes are taken from the traditional dress of Bohemia, the ancestral region of most of Domácí Czech Folk Dance group members. Members of the group journey to the Czech Republic in order to study their dance tradition, and they bring back with them new choreographies and accompanying traditional music representing both the Bohemian and Moravian regions. In the Czech Republic, it is common practice for dance groups to perform skits illustrating Czech traditions. After seeing this, the Domácí group got the idea to perform a skit based on Masopust, the Czech Mardi Gras. Although the group began to continue the tradition of dancing, the Domácí Czech Folk Dance group has evolved to become an active community group representing the communities' Czech heritage. The goal of the group is to share their traditions, and also encouraging the enrollment of new members.