Enjoy Pierogis, Polkas and Continuous Live Performance at Polish Festival Seattle

Seattle Center Festál: Polish Festival Seattle, 12 p.m.-8 p.m., Saturday, July 8, in Seattle Center Armory and Mural Amphitheatre, features authentic food and drink, live music and dance, exhibits, workshops, local merchants selling Polish items and children's activities that highlight Polish traditions and contemporary achievements.

Seattle's long established Polish community, seeking to broaden its cultural reach, joined Festál in 2012. In 2017, the festival highlights the region of ?l?sk and features Polish folk music and dancers performing in traditional costumes and a beer garden with accordion music and a Polka dance contest. Festival-goers will also find a good dose of Chopin, jazz music by contemporary Polish composers and Pierogi-making and pickling demonstrations.

Here is the line-up of live entertainment:

Seattle Center Armory Stage

11:45 a.m. - Gathering for the Parade at Fisher Pavilion Rooftop and dancing to Seattle Center Armory

12:10 p.m. - Official Opening Ceremony, with National Anthems performed by Vivat Musica! Choir

12:45 p.m. - Polish pianist Pawe? Ch?ci?ski presents the music of Fryderyk Chopin

1:20 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 6:05 p.m. and 6:55 p.m. - Piast, adult Polish folk dance group from Las Vegas, NV, performs traditional dances

1:40 p.m. - Seattle area-based Polish dance and theatre group, M?odzi Polanie

2:05 p.m., 3:45 p.m., 5:10 p.m. and 6:20 p.m. - Karpaty Dance Ensemble

2:30 p.m. - Matt Strutynski Band presents Polish-American indie folk

3:55 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. - Vivat Musica! Choir sings Polish folk songs

4:40 p.m. - Students of M.L. Szlaga Piano Studio play Chopin

6:30 p.m. - Agnieszka Laska Dancers pay tribute to Ewa Demarczyk

7:15 p.m. - Parno Drom plays Polish Romani (gypsy) music

Mural Amphitheatre

12:15 p.m. - New Age Flamenco blends a Gypsy soul with the rhythms of an eclectic mix of modern music

1:25 p.m., 4:10 p.m., 5:35 p.m. and 7:35 p.m. - Karpaty Dance Ensemble performs traditional dances

1:35 p.m. - Vivat Musica! Choir sings Polish folk songs

2:20 p.m., 4 p.m., 5:20 p.m. and 7:45 p.m. - Piast performs vintage dances

2:55 p.m. - Parno Drom presents Polish Romani music

4:20 p.m. - Sobótka Dancers of Polish School of Portland in a folkdance medley

6:05 p.m. - Yaazda plays covers of iconic Polish bands from the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s

In 2017, Seattle Center Festál celebrates 20 years of global music, dance, art, craft, history, food and insight presented through a unique partnership among community organizations and Seattle Center. Festál provides a stage and platform for them to share their traditions, accomplishments and artistic expression. Festál events captivate and enlighten festival-goers as they experience the distinct cultures that shape the character and course of our broader community.

Seattle Center Festál is a program of Seattle Center Productions. Admission is free-of-charge. For more information on Polish Festival, visit www.polishfestivalseattle.org, and to learn more about this collection of ethnic cultural events and other Seattle Center public programming, visit www.seattlecenter.com or call 206-684-7200.

This illuminating series of 24 ethnic cultural festivals on weekends throughout the year seeks to connect people in ways that build understanding, dispel stereotypes and generate pride among the generations who participate in these shared experiences. Seattle Center Festál is produced with the generous support of KUOW 94.9 Public Radio, Coca-Cola, Alaska Airlines, T-Mobile, Wells Fargo, The Boeing Company, NW Folklife, 4Culture and ArtsWA. Additional support is provided by the City of Seattle and Seattle Center Foundation.

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