Taste of Polonia

 

Hey, blogspot readers, did you know that Chicago has the largest Polish population outside of Poland? Yes, it's true ...and what better way to celebrate this rich heritage, music and food by attending the annual Taste of Polonia!

 

One of SouthSide's ethnic festivals rockin' Chicago during the summer, this four-day fest (occurring around Labor Day weekend) on Friday August 29 to Monday Sept 1 will feature nonstop live music, food, fun and more for the entire family. It boosts 4 stage with over 30 live bands performing a wide variety of musical acts besides polka. There will be jazz, rock, pop, dance, world and much more from such local acts like Tributosaurus as CSNY (Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young), American English, Rick Saucedo as Elvis, Wedding Banned, Ear Candy Band ...just to name a few, blogspot readers.

 

And what's a fest without food?! Sample the many varieties of polish food and beer in between the inside casino and bingo or arcade games. She hasn't forgotten about the kids - there's a kids stage and zone to keep them busy too. Plus there will be many interesting vendors and exhibits.

 

Admission is $7 (kids 12 and under - FREE) and ALL proceeds benefit the non-profit work of the Copernicus Foundation does, blogspot readers.

 

For more information about Taste of Polonia or the Copernicus Center, visit http://www.CopernicusCenter.org.

 

 

SouthSide would like to acknowledge the pictures used for this article are from Taste of Polonia 2013 courtesy of Copernicus Center website.

 

 

Until next time, support your local scene,

SouthSide

23 Feb 14 - 33rd Chicago Music Awards

Hey, blogspot readers, SouthSide's walking her first red carpet!

That's right ...she was amidst the glitz and glamor at this festive, star-studded music event of the 33rd Chicago Music Awards which was held at the famous Copernicus Center (located in the heart of Jefferson Park). The stars of local music spanning many genres from polka to hip hop/rap as well as Latin, Jazz and more were out in full force to celebrate this momentous time with true Hollywood style and fashion.  And SouthSide had front row seats to capture it all, blogspot readers. 

Before adjourning to the fabulous auditorium of the Copernicus Center to hear who won in their nominated categories, nominees were socializing and/or being interviewed by press and media inside the VIP area where there was delicious bites of food and drinks available. Plus there was live entertainment to put everyone in the mood for this awards show.  It was definitely a festive time as nominees like The Polkaholics were treated to full press exposure when they were interviewed before performing on stage as part of the music program during the awards show.

The nomination and voting process goes as follows "...The nominees were selected by experts in the music industry including DJs, promoters, producers, record labels, night clubs, booking agents, entertainment attorneys and others connected to the entertainment industry. After the recommendations have been tallied by the Chicago Music Awards team of volunteers and verified by the accounting firm of Robert R. Scott & Associates, the top five to seven nominees in each category are placed in the nomination ballot for the general public to vote and select the winners in all categories..." according to the press release by Chicago Music Awards. So, if you had to compare this process, blogspot readers, it would be like the "People's Choice" or "Nick Teen" awards. There were nearly 250 nominees in 37 categories ranging from musicians to comedians, dancers and Electro-Techno entertainers (first-time for this category) as well as many nominees representing a cross range in music genres such as Latin, Soca, Polka, R&B - just to name a few.

In addition to the CMA nominees, special Lifetime Achievement Awards were to be presented to the following: Chicago's Entertainer Ron Hawking, Elvis impersonator Rick Saucedo, guitarist Eddie Campbell,  Rocky Jones of DJ International, drummer Odie Payne Jr, and alto saxophonist Diane "Lil Sax" Ellis for their many years of service within the music/entertainment industry.  Other honorary awards recipients include record promoter Gus Redmond and musicians Hamid Drake, Abdul Akeem and Charles "Chucka Luck" Hodge who made significant contributions for 30 to 50 years. SouthSide would like to salute and congratulate all awards winners ...thanks for paving the way for others to follow behind you.

Now ...on with the show!

The CMAs was an amazing show which featured 20 different musical acts ranging from Latin/funk fusion to hip hop/rap and gospel as well as polka rockin' the stage in between the awards being handed out the winners. After a rousing yet inspirational rendition of "Impossible Dream" by Mae Ya Ryan Carter ( who later won Most Talented Kid [s] under 12) accompanied on piano by Josh, it was time to meet the rising stars in the Rising Star competition, blogspot readers. This mini competition featured Angel Ochoa and his electrifying guitar performance (this reviewer enjoyed the mind-tripping riff fx while he performed), Chaos and his energetic fusion of rasta/ska/hip hop music and Bi-Polar (the techno guy at the turntables and computer won in SouthSide's book for having the best creepiest costume on of the night) and its violently rhythmic electronic beats that immediately had this auditorium feeling the intense sound. Though, it was vibrating had throughout the sound system, this reviewer felt by adding the female vocalist it took away from the energy and vibe that was felt around the venue. Coincidentally, Bi-Polar won the competition, blogspot readers.

To truly kick off the awards show towards the right direction, Funkadesi rocked the house with the best band entrance ever! They didn't just appear on stage. They marched like a marching band towards the stage performing an energetic world beat fusion of Afro/Reggae/Funk and more sound in which got many in the audience standing up to dance. The entire group had the entire venue exploding with vibrant sound (though the mic for the female vocalist was on low to which she was horribly overshadowed by the musicians playing behind her). Still, what a way to jam, blogspot readers, despite having only enough time for one song.  Yet, that's how the other performances were scheduled. The musical acts such as Intraverde (Latin/Soul/Jazz band featuring Adrian Ruiz on piano/keys), The Pollkaholics and many others had only enough time to perform a tiny sample of their music. And believe it or not, they made the best of the allotted time by giving their fans and attendees a spectacularly brief show).  One, the hip hop/rap group Next2Kin, brought their entire posse on and off stage during their performance which even lasted beyond their slotted time as they kept shouting "I'm ain't wit it".

Meanwhile, local fun-loving polka rock stars, The Polkholics (who won Best Polka Entertainer), electrified the stage with a blazing polka set featuring their next hit "The Blue Haired Lady". Amazingly enough, blogspot readers, they did have people rockin' in their seats as Don jumped and hopped around the stage ...yep, he was living that rock star life! Polka fans in Poland and Germany, The Polkaholics will be returning to a venue/beer haus near you in August and they just might attempt the Guinness record for the most people doing the "Chicken Dance" in the near future. And Elvis was in the building too! A very special montage of Elvis' greatest hits from "Jailhouse Rock" to "Suspicious Minds" was performed by the one and only Rick Saucedo, blogspot readers. What a set did he give this audience ...even gave the ladies a little swivel of the hip action too to swoon over. There was some inspirational music performed by Blaq Ice (who won for Best Spoken Word) and Guero Loco (nominated for Best Latin Entertainer). SouthSide thoroughly enjoyed Guero's message (as well as the music video that accompanied his performance) to parents on how they should encourage kids to shoot for their dreams and "...treat people how you want to be treated..." Sound advice not only for today's kids but for everyone, blogspot readers.

What really had many of us dancing in our seats (besides that rousing Funkadesi entrance to the CMAs), blogspot readers, was Indika's carnivale-like performance that featured dancing girls and limbo! This lively band was all about peace, love and having a rockin' fun time while doing a medley of three songs within their short set which included a bit of "Murder She Wrote" and Bob Marley's "One Love". It was wild! So wild that the female lead of Girl Group joined them on stage and totally partied up with the band. It was definitely "Hot Hot Hot" inside Copernicus Center ...just enough to have you forgetting how cold it was outside. The musical showcase also featured a montage of Kid's Music performances from group dance (by Kitz in the Mix) to lyrical/hip hop (by Ryan Williams aka L'il Prophet) while new teen sensation Yemi Marie (who won Producer's Award for Most Promising Entertainer) performed a rather risque but with a bubble-gum pop formula style song with backup dancers accompanying her. However it was Terisa Griffin (who won Best Female Vocalist) who really caught this reviewer's attention during her outstanding display of vocal power, blogspot readers. She brought to the stage a tour de force of dynamic soul that wowed this audience.

SouthSide isn't going to mention the entire list of winners, blogspot readers, but you can view it here at http://www.martinsinterculture.com/cma-winners.html. The noted presenters of the night included the following, the Honorable Shelvin L. M. Hall, IL Appellate Court Justice, Pam Morris of WVON-AM, Wally Lockard of Urban Grind TV (which won for Best Music TV Show), Sherry Scott (one of the original members of Earth, Wind and Fire), and many more. Winners included Bad Boy Bill for Best Electronic/Techno Entertainer, Hubbard St Dance Theatre for Most Outstanding Dance Group, Girl Group Chicago for Best New Entertainer and Best Pop Entertainer of the Year, Guero Loco for Best Reggaeton Entertainment, City Winery for Most Popular Entertainment Club ...just to name a few.

Like many awards shows, there was an after party held at Kingston Mines for everyone to celebrate. Perhaps next year, blogspot readers, SouthSide might win an award for Best Music Blogger/Jounralist ...who knows ...that's if The Polkaholics followed through with that suggestion...


Until next time, support your local scene,
SouthSide

13 Jan 13 - XXI Finals WOSP

Cześć czytelnicy blogspot, to zdarzenie zbiera pieniądze dla dzieci!

Hey, blogspot readers, it's an event raising money for kids!

~ Joanna Beads

SouthSide and her daughter spent a chilly Sunday afternoon enjoying the sights, fun and music while attending The Great Orchestra Christmas Charity sponsored by WOSP Chicago inside the historic Copernicus Center. The main goal of this event was to raise money in saving the lives of sick people especially children as well as improving their medical condition by purchasing much needed medical supplies and equipment for hospitals all over Poland via the generous donations of Poles everywhere. So far, this organization has raised over $83,000, blogspot readers! For more information about The Great Orchestra Christmas Charity event and how to donate, visit http://www/wospchicago.com (the page can be translated into English if you don't speak Polish).

~ Barbara Gasior photography

This day-long event at Copernicus Center occupied two floors featuring vendors and fabulous artwork and jewelry to purchase in support of organization's theme or cause (each year, the organization raises money for different theme or cause such as children's heart surgery or saving the children victims of accidents). On the 2nd floor-balcony area, there were excellent prime examples of avant garde artwork from bold watercolors to photography (by Barbara Gasior) ...some abstract as well as quite angelic (by Lidia Wiakowska). One of the particular art pieces caught SouthSide's eye was called "the lonely woman" by Irena Siwek. Plus there was a jewelry vendor (Joanna Beads) showing off her lovely beaded neck pieces.

~ "lonely woman"

Meanwhile on the main floor, there were booths where young girls and tweens could get pampered with professional manis and facial makeup or have their hair styled for a small donation. Over at the larger tables, people could enter raffles and win fabulous gifts and prizes such as autographed CDs (by popular Polish artists) to gift baskets from local businesses and more. There was something for the younger kid age group like story time and dance contest. Those needing a much needed break and massage PDR Physical Therapy Center was on hand to give you a deep back or shoulder rubdown. And despite not understanding the language, blogspot readers, SouthSide and her daughter were met with friendly smiles and greetings throughout this family charity event.

~ artwork by Lidia Wiakowska

Rockin' the main stage inside the Copernicus Center, featured bands and artists like Dori Koz, July Trio Autofobia and Eon Arc (just to name a few) entertained a sizable audience from traditional Polish music to hot pop rock/alternative. SouthSide highly recommends checking out Maggie D Grupa (http://www.maddgied.us and also on Facebook) who rocked out the stage to a lively set done in both English and Polish which she found to be very vibrant and full of life song after song. At times, Maggie D electrified the stage with hardcore rock riffs and danceable rhythmic groove especially when she did her cover version of the Gnarls Barkley hit "Crazy". This reviewer loved the energizing tone of the gospel organ sound matched alongside the electric twang of the guitars.

~ Maggie D Grupa

Also she highly recommends rockin' a soul/funk/R&B fusion performed by Wishing Well (http://www.facebook.com/wishingwellchicago). Though offering their audience a slightly different change in pace, this local band truly brought some soul and dynamic female vocals to which each song received a warm reception. SouthSide liked how the band opened their set with a toe-tappin', hip shakin' song to draw the audience into their soulfully rhythmic groove before taking the energy down a bit to allow Anjali's vocals shine under the spotlight. These were the moments when Wishing's music was wonderfully melodic and soothing under it's soul/R&B/funk fusion ...nice floetry especially during the instrumental bridges where nothing was rushed as your ears soaked up each note played. They really got jammin' when performing a lively pseudo reggae/ska song to which Anjali had a little fun with the lyrics before setting the roof on fire with some classic soul covers by Aretha Franklin ("Chain of Fools") and The Steve Miller Band ("Fly Like An Eagle") which closed out their performance.

  ~ Wishing Well

Until next time, support your local scene,

SouthSide