Thank You for Celebrating 60 Years of PAAA!
What a wonderful evening of Polish American culture, friendship, and community!
More than 110 members, friends, and guests joined us on September 13 at the Army Navy Country Club in Arlington to celebrate the Polish American Arts Association’s 60th anniversary. The evening was a fitting celebration of six decades of PAAA’s commitment to bringing Polish culture to our nation’s capital.
Guests began the evening with a cocktail reception on the private rooftop terrace overlooking the Washington skyline before gathering in the Five Star Ballroom for a memorable program. The celebration opened with a beautiful Polonaise led by the PKM Polish Folk Dance Ensemble from Philadelphia, followed by performances throughout the evening that showcased the richness of Polish music and culture.
A highlight of the Gala was PAAA’s recognition of pianist Brian Ganz following the completion of his extraordinary Extreme Chopin project. Mr. Ganz then treated guests to a Chopin recital, accompanied by mezzo-soprano Dr. Magdalena Wór. The evening also featured a particularly joyful note as PAAA President Olek Skrypczuk, joined by soprano Dr. Laura Kafka-Price, pianist and PAAA scholar James Bennett, and Stasia Skrypczuk, led guests in singing Sto Lat and God Bless America—a fitting celebration of both PAAA’s 60th anniversary and America’s upcoming 250th anniversary. The evening concluded with a surprise recognition for gala chairman and immediate past president Matthew Stefanski who was presented with the Honorary Badge for Merits to the Polish Diaspora by the Polish Government.
We were honored to welcome guests from Poland, representatives of the Embassy of the Republic of Poland, six past PAAA presidents, and longtime friends and supporters from across the Washington, DC region.
Most of all, we are grateful to everyone who helped make this celebration such a success. PAAA’s story is built by the people who give their time, talent, generosity, and enthusiasm to the organization, and we hope this anniversary will be the beginning of an exciting new chapter.
We invite you to stay involved with PAAA and help us carry this tradition forward for the next generation. Whether by attending our programs, supporting our scholarship program, volunteering, or becoming more involved in the organization, there are many ways to be part of PAAA’s future.
Thank you for celebrating 60 years with us—and for helping make the next 60 years possible.
