424 Barracks Street, Unit A, New Orleans, LA, USA 70116
About Us
History
Komenka was established in 1979 as a New Orleans, Louisiana, USA non-profit arts organization with the purpose of portraying international folk cultures through dance and music. The forty-plus member ensemble includes professional and semi-professional artists from throughout the New Orleans community. Training with internationally recognized choreographers and musicians is highly stressed and reflected in program repertoire. Costumes are replicas or carefully designed adaptations of authenticated regional folk dress. The ensemble has been featured throughout the United States, and has performed on many television/radio stations. Komenka is also very active in educational institutions of all levels. Komenka has often performed internationally since 1988 in areas such as Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, the Caribbean, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland and Russia. Presented were such U.S. styles as Cajun, Appalachian, and New Orleans Jazz / Mardi Gras traditions. Komenka was the recipient of the first ever Big Easy Classical Arts Award for Best Ethnic Dance Presentation in 1993, and has received that prestigious award on numerous occasions since that time. Komenka was the recipient of the prestigious Community Arts Award bestowed by the Arts Council of New Orleans in recognition of outstanding contribution to the arts of New Orleans for 30 years. Financial support for Komenka comes from performances, private donations, and public/corporate grants. Komenka is greatly indebted to Loyola University New Orlean and the New Orleans Dance Academy for their generous provision of rehearsal facilities during the 2021-2022 performance season.
Please Donate
A financial gift to Komenka helps to bring the world of international dance arts into the lives of young children, teens, adults, and seniors through high quality creative experiences. Gifts to the Komenka Ethnic Dance Ensemble (a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization as determined by the IRS) are 100 percent tax deductible.
“Ensemble Member Level”
Donations of $1 to $499.
“Principal Member Level”
Donations of $500 to $2,499.
“Director Member Level”
Donations of $2,500 or more.