Join us for Koliada, the Slavic winter tradition of summoning the beasts to scare away the darkness and loneliness of winter and call back in the sun with its warmth and fun.
We’ll perform the Koliada ceremony for you, and then we’ll all feast and dance!
So summon your inner beastie, bring a tasty treat for the potluck, and join us!
Saturday, February 8th at 5pm
Cherry Valley Old School Cafe, 2 Genesee Street, Cherry Valley, NY
(park on the Post Office side)
Entry by donation at the door.
This event is open to all genders and ages.
Building Community Resilience by Reviving Ancient Traditions
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Cherry Valley, NY - The Telegraph School will present "Koliada," a theatrical performance, dance party, and potluck event at the Cherry Valley Old School Cafe, 2 Genesee Street, Cherry Valley, NY on February 8th at 5pm.
Cherry Valley has long been a home of arts and experimentation nestled within a beautiful village. Now in its fifth year, The Telegraph School is continuing that tradition by pushing the edges of conventional theater and building community resilience in the process.
This coming Saturday, they are presenting “Koliada,” a roving theatrical performance that travels around the village of Cherry Valley, performing in people’s homes, before arriving at the Old School Cafe for the final performance, followed by dancing and feasting. The band of performers, dressed as wild animals and forest spirits, are composed of community members who attended the mask and costume workshops offered by The Telegraph School in January. Koliada draws from the rich Slavic heritage of Telegraph School founder Angelica Palmer, who is bringing this ancient village tradition back to life.
“There is a lot of anger, overwhelm, and desperation in the world right now. The seasonal village rituals of Slavic Europe offer a supernatural magic that is a balm for the soul. Embodying spirits of nature and bringing love and connection to our neighbors helps us keep hold of our humanity,” says Telegraph School founder and ritual artist Angelica Palmer. “The world is changing rapidly and through play and connection, our community stays strong and resilient.”
The tradition of Koliada dates back to pre-Christian times in the Slavic world of Central and Eastern Europe. People dressed up as animals and spirits representing the darkness of winter and the returning sun. They went from house to house in their village, singing songs and performing skits to call back the sun and bless the fertility of the crops for the coming year. In exchange they were given gifts of food, drinks, and coins. They believed that by becoming animals and spirits, their words would have more magical power and be more effective.
The performance, potluck, and dance party are family-friendly and open to the public. Donations will be accepted at the door and the audience is encouraged to bring a dish to pass for the potluck. Learn more and reserve your spot at thetelegraphschool.org.
About The Telegraph School:
Founded in 2021, The Telegraph School is a home for Performing and Healing Arts. Their popular First Friday Open Mics draw large crowds and they offer classes in various forms of dance, music, theater and more. They believe that creative expression and community are the best medicine for the soul.
Contact: Angelica Palmer
info@thetelegraphschool.org
607-264-3785
83 Alden Street, Cherry Valley, NY 13320
TheTelegraphSchool.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheTelegraphSchool
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetelegraphschool
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Shortened text:
The Telegraph School presents "Koliada," a roving community performance, dance party, and potluck at the Cherry Valley Old School Cafe on Saturday, February 8th at 5pm at 2 Genesee Street, Cherry Valley. Enjoy an evening of music, puppets, magic, and play. The event is family-friendly and open to the public. Donations will be accepted at the door. Learn more at TheTelegraphSchool.org
Performance Opportunity!
We are in dark times and it will get darker before it is over.
The light will not return unless we scare away the darkness!
Join us for Koliada, the ancient Slavic winter tradition of dressing up as giant animals, lightness (angels), darkness (demons), and ancestors (skeletons), and parading around the village singing and making a ruckus to tell winter to hit the road!
Along the way, we'll visit neighbors to scare their darkness away in exchange for food and drink.
Join us! Release that angst and despair and bring back the sun with us.
Community, art, and collective catharsis are political acts of protest. They bind us together when outside forces are fighting to tear us apart.
*You must attend at least one workshop in order to participate in the performance.*
Costumes & Mask-Making Workshops
1/22, 5-7pm - Zoom
1/24, 5-7pm - Mark-Anthony Polizzi’s Studio in Utica
1/30, 5-7pm - Zoom
February 8th @3pm - Revelry
We will don our costumes and instruments, learn a few songs, and take to the street! We will visit welcoming neighbors and scare away their heaviness in exchange for some treats. When we’re done, we’ll return to the Old School to perform and have potluck dance party.
Please reach out if you live in the village of Cherry Valley and would like us to visit you to bring cheer on a cold February evening.
This event is open to all genders and ages.
Location: Cherry Valley Old School, 2 Genesee St, Cherry Valley, NY
Photo credit: Aleksander Hordziej