2024 Czech and Slovak Festival!
Celebrating 120 years of Sokol SF
Saturday, October 12, 2024, 11 am - 4 pm at Orinda Community Center & Park
View and download the entire day’s program (PDF, 10.6.24)
SPECIAL GUESTS:
Zuzana Čaputová, former President of Slovakia
Amb. Jaroslav Olša Jr. Czech Consul General, LA
JuDr. Jiri Krátký, M.A., Sp. Envoy for Expat Affairs
Richard & Barbara Pivnicka, Honorary Consul of CZ & SK
Darlene Gee, Mayor of Orinda
HIGHLIGHTS of the DAY:
Folklore dancers from the United Moravian Societies, Chicago, Illinois
Dance Troupe from Dance Studio Light, Prague, Czech Republic
Music, songs and poetry by the students of the Czech School of CA
Sing along to Czech and Slovak songs with our Sokol SF member band
United Moravian Societies Folk Dancers
PERFORMANCES on the OUTDOOR STAGE:
11:00 AM - Welcome and take some time to explore the festival grounds
11:15 AM - Lunch service begins in the Community Center kitchen; dine outside
12:00 PM - Welcome, national anthems, introduction of dignitaries, Dvořák Humoresky
12:30 PM - Dance performance by Chicago’s United Moravian Societies Dance Troupe
1:00 PM - The Czech School’s poetry contest winners recite their winning poems
1:05 PM - Prepare to be dazzled by dancers from Prague’s Dance Studio Light
1:25 PM - Learn Polka from the folk dancers of UMS, Chicago
1:45 PM - Students from the Czech School perform delightful songs
2:00 PM - Sokol SF’s young poetry contest winners recite their winning poetry
2:05 PM - Dance performance by Chicago’s United Moravian Societies Dance Troupe
2:25 PM - Prepare to be dazzled anew by dancers from Prague’s Dance Studio Light
2:45 PM - Performances by the Czech School’s youngest students
3:00 PM - Enjoy and join a dance and movement lesson by Dance Studio Light’s dancers
3:15 PM - Listen and sing along as Sokol SF members play your favorite CZ & SK songs
image by Jakub Souček
WORKSHOPS:
12:30 PM - Egg Decorating w/ Daniela Mahoney - $5/person (bring cash)
1:25 PM - Learn to dance the Polka with our Moravian folk dancers - free
2:00 PM - Corn Husk Doll Making w/ Daniela Mahoney - $5/person (bring cash)
3:00 PM - Enjoy and join a dance and movement lesson w/ our Prague dance group - free
PRESENTATIONS in the CLASSROOM:
1:00 PM - Conversation and Q&A with Special Envoy, JuDr. Jiří Krátký
2:00 PM - Meet Ethan Scheiner, Author of “Freedom to Win”
3:00 PM - Meet Lenka Glassner, Local Czech Artist
BRING CASH FOR FOOD, BAKED GOODS, BEER, SPIRITS, CZECH and SLOVAK CRAFTS, ART, BOOKS
PARTICIPANTS:
Please bring cash to purchase your food and drinks
La Trattoria Bohemia from Sacramento will provide delicious traditional Czech foods.
Sacramento Cookie Factory will bring their Czech wafers for purchase. They are amazing!
Martina Ladova will be selling her koláčky and other sweet pastries available
Daniela Mahoney is coming from Portland! Daniela will be selling her crafts and offering and Easter Egg decorating class and corn husk doll making class.
Lenka Glassner is the author of a humorous travel book "Czeching In". She is an oil and water color artist; felts wool, adds a sparkle of life to her playful fairies and angels; decorates "kraslice", and she created our festival's logo!!!
If you love beautiful Czech glass Christmas ornaments, you need to visit the Tender Loving Collectibles booth.
Tabor, Czech Republic is a sister city to Orinda. Orinda hosts a high school student from Tabor every year! They will have a booth to answer your questions.
You can look forward to beers like Primator on tap and Lev Lion Beers
Vinne Sklepy Lechovice wines will be available and we will be sampling R. Jelinek products too.
Students from the Czech School of California will be singing and showcasing historical presentation. Staff will be available to answer your questions about the school and enrollment.
Staff from the Czech Consulate in Los Angeles will be present to provide information about their services.
Please note that they will not be providing services other than allowing individuals to register to vote remotely, per a recent change in Czech laws.
Prof. Ethan Scheiner, the author of the book Freedom to Win - a Cold War story of the courageous Czechoslovakian hockey team that fought the Soviets for the soul of its people - and Olympic Gold - will be selling and signing this book!
Free Mobile Czech Book library will also be on site for you to take new reading material home.
We are looking for volunteers for the event, so consider getting involved in your community
Email your interest in helping to: sokolsfevents@gmail.com