About - Wawel Houston

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WITAMY!

Our True Passion

The Wawel Polish Folk Dance Group is non-profit performing dance group based in Houston TX. Wawel is dedicated to promoting polish culture through song and dance.

We have three groups: Wawel, Mini Wawel, and Babcia Wawel. These groups consist of high school, college, and graduate students, as well as adults. The group provides free costumes and no dance experience is necessary. The willingness to have fun and make new friends is what we strive to accomplish!

Join us in celebrating the colorful and rich traditions of Poland!

WAWEL HISTORY

The Wawel Castle

The name Wawel originates from the Wawel Royal Castle located in Krakow, Poland. This beautiful historic castle is the political and cultural heart of Poland.

Wawel Castle had been the residence of Polish kings for centuries and a site of the most important events in Polish history. It is considered to be the symbol of Polish statehood. The Wawel Castle is also one of Poland’s most beautiful examples of Renaissance

Today it stands tall and mighty as a premier art museum. Over one million visitors tour the Castle’s permanent collections and temporary exhibitions each year. The Castle’s permanent exhibitions recreate the appearance of the royal residence in the Renaissance and Baroque eras.

Royal Wawel Castle in Krakow, Poland

Meet the Powerhouse

Our Board Members

Ks. Tadeusz Rusnak

Director

Yessica Krozel

Choreographer / Artistic Director / Board Member

Patrycja Bielecka

Treasurer / Board Member

Katie Kubiak

Secretary / Board Member

Marysia Kosacka

Graphic Designer / Webmaster

Aneta Krozel

Mini Wawel Leader / Board Member

Ewelina Reichert

Mini Wawel Leader / Board Member

Elzbieta Winiarska

Board Member

Julia Rogowska

Social Media

building lasting impressions

Hej Hop!

“Spreading Polish folk amongst the Texans and other parts of the world! Polish Texan Nation!”
Wawel

the colorful program

Our Repertoire

Goralski Suite

Góralski is one of the two basic dances of the Skalne Podhale region (Rocky Foothills of the Tatra Mountains in southern Poland).

Krakowiak

Krakowiak is a fast, syncopated Polish folk dance in duple time from the region of Kraków and Lesser Poland. The folk outfit worn for the dance has become the national costume of Poland, most notably, the rogatywka peaked hat with peacock feathers.

Kujawiak & Oberek

This dance begins with the slow and romantic Kujawiak. Suddenly the audience is welcomed with a explosive pace dance, Oberek which showcases amazing acrobatics from the men and beautiful and elegant representation from the women.

Mazur

Mazur was known in Poland already in the 15th century and by the 17th century it became a popular court dance. The Mazur is performed in 3/4 or 3/8 time and lively tempo and is a joyful, dynamic dance.

Żywiec

Poland’s southern mountaineers located in the Żywiec Beskid mountains. The dance is performed in a mixture of pairs, solo, or groups, this dance is characterized with leading male dancers showing off their acrobatics, intricate footwork, deep knee bends, and jumps.

Rzeszowski

This is a selection of dances typical for the region of Rzeszów in Southern Poland. This dance is a light dance with humorous verses. The men and women taunt and flirt with each other in song between various sections of the dance. This is a quick and exciting dance with a mix of acting from bother parts.