The Telegraph School Launches Koliada Workshops

Preparing for a Season of Music, Masks, and Magic

Cherry Valley, NY – The Telegraph School invites the community to join a series of immersive workshops this fall and winter that prepare participants for Koliada, the beloved roving performance and celebration returning to Cherry Valley on February 6th & 7th, 2026.

Our February 2025 Koliada was a wonderful creation of village magic, bringing nature and the mythic to our small village of Cherry Valley, New York. This year, thanks to new grant funding, we are excited to make Koliada bigger and better, with expanded workshops and performances.

Our public performance will take place during the Cherry Valley February First Friday celebration on Friday, February 6th, bringing light and joy back to the dark days of winter. On Saturday, February 7th, Koliada performers will travel house to house, sharing songs, skits, and blessings with community members throughout the village. Register for the free workshops at https://www.thetelegraphschool.org/koliada.

What is Koliada?

Koliada draws from the rich Slavic heritage of Telegraph School founder and ritual artist Angelica Palmer, who is bringing this ancient village tradition back to life. It 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.

Cherry Valley Koliada continues this tradition with a series of free workshops, a public performance, and a roving theatrical procession that travels around the village, performing for people in their homes and for passersbys.

“There is a lot of fear, 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.”

Upcoming Workshops

The Art of Play: Physical Acting & Character Creation
November 2, 2025 | 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Led by Isha Justyna Kostek and Monika Burra, this Lecoq-inspired physical theater workshop explores movement, character creation, and expressive storytelling through body and voice. No prior experience required.

Crafting Your Creature
November 8, 2025 | 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
With Marc-Anthony Polizzi and Tooth, participants will begin building their Koliada creatures, experimenting with recycled materials and non-human body shapes to create costumes that inspire movement and imagination.

Intuitive Interspecies Communication (Virtual)
November 9, 2025 | Time 1:00 – 2:00 PM
Facilitated by Max Pospisil, this online session explores Slavic traditions of animals speaking during Koliada through guided meditation and imaginative practices.

Artist Talk: Rebirthing the Ancient Traditions and Songs (In-person & Virtual)
November 16, 2025 | 12:00 – 3:00 PM
Artist Angelica Dzeli Gosiewska Palmer traces the evolution of Koliada—from its ancient beginnings to its modern-day revival as a celebration of nature, ancestry, and seasonal magic, followed by a community sing to begin learning traditional songs for the February performance.

All workshops, unless otherwise noted, are in person at the Cherry Valley Old School, 2 Genesee St, Cherry Valley and are free and open to the public. Materials are provided, and donations are welcome to support the continuation of this community tradition. Registration is required, at thetelegraphschool.org

Support & Funding

We are grateful to have received support from the Earlville Opera House’s Arts in the Community Grants Program, made possible by the NYS Legislature with support of the Office of the Governor, and administered by the New York State Council on the Arts. We are also thankful to the Community Foundation of Otsego County, which awarded us a grant in their 2025 Spring Awards Cycle.

The meeting, titled "Reclaiming Our Future: A Brownfield Program Update," will be held onThursday, November 6, 2025, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the historic Glove Theatre, 42 North Main St., Gloversville.