Pole Dancing

Poland's colorful Mazowsze ensemble breaks into their national polonaise dance tonight, when its 100-member cast kicks off its 10th U.S. tour, starting in Cleveland. The performance also helps mark the company's nearly 60 years on the road, which has taken them to more than 50 countries as Poland's cultural ambassadors. "Being part of Mazowsze means living a creative lifestyle far away from family," says company manager Jacek Kalinowski. "We feel like citizens of the world, but we still love Poland the most."It shows. The group's repertoire consists of lively choreography from Poland's Mazowsze region near the capital of Warsaw. Performers are also known to play flamboyantly costumed characters such as maidens who toss garlands of flowers into the audience and peasants leaping about with grapes in their hands. Kalinowski predicts the lavish production numbers will keep Americans awestruck. "Audiences are very specific. They don't accept bungles," he says. "We will do everything to make them love us." Mazowsze performs at 8 tonight at the State Theatre, 1519 Euclid Avenue in Cleveland. Tickets are $10 to $45. For more information, call 216-348-5260 or visit www.playhousesquare.org.
Tue., Nov. 13, 8 p.m., 2007