This movie is coming to a general release right now so check your local cinema. The Zookeeper's Wife directed by Niki Caro stars Oscar nominee Jessica Chastain in the title role. The movie tells the story of the Warsaw Zoo director Dr. Jan Żabiński and his wife Antonina who saved lives of hundreds of Jews by hiding them at the Zoo during WWII. The film is based on the book by Diana Ackerman under the same title.

Where: I found it listed at AMC Pacific Place 11 and in Seattle, Lincoln Square Cinemas in Bellevue, AMC Alderwood Mall 16 in Lynwood; I am sure it is screened in other places.

More: movie info at SJFF page

Kombii is a popular Polish pop band created in 2003 by old members of the very popular Kombi band that was playing rock and pop from late 1970s to 1990s. The new Kombii, now with Grzegorz Skawiński and  Waldemar Tkaczyk, established themselves as a popular band in its own right issuing a new CD every few years; their last CD is called Wszystko jest jak pierwszy raz (2014). In Polish.

Where: at the Polish Cultural Center Dom Polski in Seattle; tickets $30 presale, $35 at the door

More: Kombii site (PL), Kombii on Wikipedia, for tickets & info please contact Asia Jeziorska 425-417-9548 or Lucyna Błońska 206-992-6821

2017 Seattle Jewish Film Festival presents the movie The Zookeeper's Wife directed by Niki Caro with Oscar Nominee Jessica Chastain starring in the title role. The movie tells a story of the Warsaw Zoo director dr. Jan Żabiński and his wife Antonina who saved lives of hundreds of Jews by hiding them at the Zoo during WWII. The film is based on the book by Diana Ackerman under the same title.

Where: at AMC Pacific Place 11 in Seattle; tickets $13 regular / $10 discounted

More: movie info at SJFF page

The book for the meeting is Skoruń by Maciej Płaza, published by WAB in 2015. Dr. Płaza, 41, is a writer and translator; his PhD dissertation was about Lem's cognizance. Skoruń is about coming of age of a country boy in 1980s Poland shown through seven different stories narrated by the title hero. The book won the Kościelski award and the Gdynia Literature award and was nominated to the Nike awards. This is an open meeting, drop by even if you haven't read the book.

Where: at the Montlake library in Seattle; admission free, in Polish

More: about the book (PL), about author (PL), interview with the author (PL), Polish Book Club

Once again the Polish Library organizes a book and CD sale. As usual it features a lot of new and second-hand books and albums in Polish, bi-lingual or in English on Polish topics as well as Polish CDs and DVDs - most at very affordable, nah, firesale prices!

Where: at the Polish Cultural Center Dom Polski upper hall; admission free

More: The Library asks for donations of books, CDs and DVDs for the sale. Please bring them to the PH on Friday night as library is opened, or contact the librarian Monika Johnson.

Jacek Nazarczuk

The South Puget Sound Community College presents An Evening with Chopin featuring Polish pianist Jacek Nazarczuk and two winners of the local Chopin competition. Mr. Nazaczuk's program includes Chopin's Nocturne in E Major, Impromptu in F-Sharp Major, four Mazurkas and Polonaise in A-Flat Major. Presented in partnership with the Lacey-Minsk Mazowiecki Sister City Assn.

Also, the opening reception for the exhibition Wooden Sacred Architecture of Poland is at 6 pm.

Where: the concert at South Puget Sound Community College in Olympia; tickets $10, the exhibition at The Gallery at the SPSCC campus

More: concert poster, for more info contact Paul Perz of L-MM SCA.

The Puppet Theatre Jester Society invites to a Polish poetry evening Wieczór poetycki szufladkowych poetów (in Polish). You can listen to poetry read by poets themselves in an intimate atmosphere with guitar music interludes. Wine and refreshments are also available.

Where: Forest Hill, 65 Foxwood Drive, Port Moody / Vancouver, BC; tickets $10, in Polish

More: event poster (PL), for more info, please contact [email protected] or Kasia at 604-833-1847

Frederic Chopin

Lilian Szlaga Piano Studio presents an annual piano recital celebrating music of Frederic Chopin. Ms. Szlaga will open the concert with Polonaise in A Major Militaire op. 40. The program includes mazurkas, nocturnes, preludes, waltzes and polonaises by Chopin performed by the Studio students from 11 to 19 years old. The Polish Home restaurant is open from 1 to 4 pm.

Where: at the Polish Cultural Center Dom Polski; admission free (donations accepted)

More: detailed 2017 concert program, M. Szlaga Studio, contact Marzena Szlaga

The Polish Film Club Kino OKO presents the movie The Reverse / Rewers directed by Borys Lankosz. It was the best movie of the 2009 Gdynia FF and the Polish entry to the Oscars; Mr. Lankosz won the Best New Director Award at the 2010 SIFF. The story based on a book by Andrzej Bart is a black comedy about political oppression and gender roles in 1950s Poland with the tables getting turned in a spectacular fashion. Bonus: the subtitle translator, Ms. Hanna Gil will be present at the screening.

Evening schedule: 7:30 pm socializing & film intro, 8:00 pm screening 

Where: at the Polish Cultural Center Dom Polski; admission free, in Polish w/ English subtitles

More: the movie, the book, Andrzej Bart, the Club site

This is a return of a very popular workshop. The Ethnic Heritage Council and the UW Libraries Distinctive Collections present A Workshop on Preserving the Cultural and Historical Record of Your Ethnic Community. UW archivists/specialists will discuss such how-to topics as preserving photos, organizing music collections, putting organizational records in order, preserving personal papers.

As of March 6 space is still available, so you can still register and drop by.

Where: at Ethiopian Community Seattle Hall in Seattle; reservation RSVP, reservations required

More: Ethnic Heritage Council website

The Polish Home Assn invites all Polish women to a potluck and a movie to celebrate the International Women's Day. Come to have fun with other ladies and to watch a romantic comedy: a movie will be selected by the ladies who attend the event. Among movies to choose from are Planeta Singli (Planet Single), 7 rzeczy których nie wiecie o facetach or Wkręceni.

Evening schedule: doors open at 7 pm for potluck and socializing, screening at 8:00 pm

Where: at the Polish Cultural Center Dom Polski; admission free

More: Dzień Kobiet flyer, for more info please contact Jola Paliświat

by M. Chabarowski

The Gallery at the South Puget Sound Community College presents an exhibition Wooden Sacred Architecture in the Republic of Poland (1918-1945) featuring drawings by Polish artist Marek Chabrowski. documenting the sacred wooden structures of Poland before WWII. The drawings are available for purchase. Presented in partnership with the Lacey-Minsk Mazowiecki Sister City Assn.

Opening reception at 6 pm on March 25, 2017 before the Chopin concert with pianist Jacek Nazarczuk.

Where: at The Gallery at the SPSCC campus in Olympia; admission free; .

More: for more info contact Paul Perz of Lacey-Minsk Maz. Sister City Assn.

Bronek Czech Memorial Cup / Mały Memoriał Bronisława Czecha is a very popular event organized by the Polonia of Vancouver, BC. This ski and snowboard competition has divisions for children and teenagers of different ages as well as all-family categories. Bronisław Czech was a famous Polish skier and a WWII underground courier over the Tatra Mountains.

Where: On Mt. Seymour, Mount Seymour Provincial Park, Vancouver, BC;

More: about Memorial (PL), online reservation,  or call 604-685-4585 or 604-431-8403, about B. Czech.

The Northwest Film Center in Portland presents a tribute to dir. Krzysztof Kieślowski, showing his masterpiece Dekalog, a newly restored, ten-part mini-series based on the Ten Commandments. Written by Kieslowski and Krzysztof Piesiewicz, the cycle was released as TV mini-series in 1989. The contemporary life is confronted with the eternal moral dilemmas.

The schedule: Parts 1 & 2 on March 4 & 5, parts 3 & 4 on March 12 & 13, parts 5 & 6 on March 18 & 19,  parts 7 & 8 on March 23 & 25 and parts 9 & 10 on March 26 & 27.

Where: at the Whitsell Auditorium in Portland Art Museum, Portland, OR

More: Dekalog at NW Film Center, about Kieslowski, available in Blue-ray on Amazon)