Groups, Programs, and Dance
The Czech and Slovak Cultural Center partners with subject-matter experts and various local groups dedicated to Czech and Slovak culture. Working together, we present films, lectures, and musical performances. Additionally, these groups are dedicated to folk dance, Czech and Slovak literature, and exploring language.
Groups
Literary Ventures
Join us for monthly literary presentations and small-group informal discussions of Czech and Slovak books in English translation.
Over the last several years Czech and Slovak Cultural Center has met monthly. Authors of books include: Milan Kundera, Ivan Klima, Former President Vaclav Havel and several more.
Czech Language Conversation Group
Do you want to practice your Czech? All ages and levels of Czech language welcome. Meet others who have traveled to the Czech Republic, studied, lived, or grew up there. Monthly meetings, every third Saturday of the month, 4 PM to 5:00 PM.
Meeting Place: Kramarczuk’s, 215 East Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55414
Czech & Slovak School Twin Cities
Public presentation of activities of Czech and Slovak moms (and dads) in Twin Cities, Minnesota.
Folk dance, language lessons, children plays in Czech, and informal “Family Nights” with arts, crafts, games, potluck dinner. Baking and craft “events” to support our “home away from home” in their fundraising efforts: a huge thank you to our host: Sokol Minnesota!
Programs and Presentations
Lectures
Join us for an engaging lectures and follow-up discussions. Presented live or via Skype, CSCC presents experts in fields from history to present day issues faced by the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
Film
Celebrating Czech and Slovak contributions to the history of the motion picture, we regularly work with universities and theater groups to screen important cultural films.
Musical Performances
From classical to bluegrass, and traditional to modern, the Czech and Slovak Cultural Center of Minnesota organizes and promotes variety of concerts for Czech and Slovak community.
We have organized or participated in concerts featuring: Čechomo, Plastic People of the Universe, SlovCzech Tri, Graffe Quarte, Druhá Tráva, Podkrkonošský Band, and more.
Folk Dance
Lipa Slovak Folk Dancers
Lipa Slovak Folk Dancers perform traditional dances of western, central, and eastern Slovakia. Authentic folk dress and music compliment each performance. Experienced instructors who have trained in Slovakia have guided the group in its dance and customary clothing so that audiences are presented with a truly enjoyable and accurate representation of the culture one would find in the Slovak Republic. Lipa Slovak Folk Dancers have performed at special events and cultural expositions all around Minnesota. The circle and couple dances are punctuated by stomps, whistles, and twirls that delight all ages.
Contact Information:
Lara Ciganko
E-mail Lara
St. Paul Czech and Slovak Folk Dancers
This Czech and Slovak children’s folk dance group was organized in January of 1990 with 12 members. The children range from 4 years old to 8th grade. Our highlighted annual performance is at the Festival of Nations in May. We dance at many other community events during the year, including Czech and Slovak Day in the fall, and SOKOL Sibrinky dance in the winter.
Taneční Teens
Our teen dancers keep the dances live in those years between childhood and adulthood. Our teens not only know all the children’s dances, but they also perform some of the adult dances with our adult dance group, too!
Kroj (Folkdress)
We wear authentic costumes that are representative of many areas of the Czech or Slovak Republics. Kroje are provided for our dancers.
Instructor
Dance is taught by Louise Wessinger. Louise, formerly an elementary school teacher, currently teaches aerobics, is a long-time SOKOL member, and performs with the adult St. Paul Czech and Slovak Folkdancers (www.tancuj.org)
Practice
Practice is usually held on two Saturday mornings each month at the Historic CSPS (SOKOL) Hall in St. Paul. To accommodate performances, some practice times and dates may vary.
Membership Information
Annual activity fee per child = $25.00. Free for members or relatives of SOKOL members. Annual membership to SOKOL Minnesota is $30.00 per individual, or $55.00 per couple. Please include a one-time $5.00 registration fee. Contact Norman Petrik at (612) 822-6147.
Interested?
To join one of our groups or arrange for a performance contact:
Louise Wessinger
3704 Denmark Ave.
Eagan, MN 55123
(651) 452-6240
