The Viva Polonia revue, which I am organizing on May 24, 2026, at the Copernicus Center, is my fifth revue-and likely my last. All my revues to date have taken place at the Copernicus Center-the most prestigious Polish theater in the USA, and one already steeped in legend. Since I am an artist myself-even though I earn my living through a private business- I wanted to honor other Chicago-based Polish artists whom I admire. I wished to showcase them on such a
beautiful stage and introduce them to a broader audience, rather than limiting them to the confined crowds of small restaurant venues. Since the month of May coincides with Mother’s Day-both in USA and in Poland-we dedicate this concert to the memory of our mother. The title of the concert will be “Dia Ciebie Mamo” which translates as “For You, Mom”. These words refer to the famous song by Violetta Villas “Do Ciebie Mamo”. Since a song by Violetta Villas in some way inspired the title of this concert, we shall now enjoy a short recital of songs from her repertoire-an artist whose initials, VV., coincide with the original designation for a revue: V.V(iva,L
The star of our revue will be Andrzej Cierniewski a renowned and highly esteemed Polish- diaspora artist, whose beautiful and nostalgic pieces are widely known both in Poland and in Chicago. Furthermore, at least twenty more artists active creators and performers who are integral to Chicago’s daily musical life-will take part. These include Marek Kalinowski, a magnificent multi-instrumentalist, composer, vocalist and certified accordionist; Andrzej Dylewski, the former drummer of the famous Polish band Lady Pank, as well as a composer and educator; Julianna Hajdasz Pogorzelski, a magnificent vocalist endowed with a voice of exceptional timbre and range, She has been a shining ornament of the Polish stage in Chicago for nearly 40 years-a wonderful musician, the leader of “Julia i My” band; Bart Zielinski, a composer, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist-and son of Andrzej Zielinski, founder of the legendary Polish band Skaldowie; Agnieszka Topolska, a singer, cabaret artist, an creative journalist; Slawomir Maciejczyk, an artist with wide-ranging musical interests and a multi- instrumentalist as well as a vocalist: Pawel Kobierski, a composer, vocalist, guitarist and passionate enthusiast of 90s music; Helena Studencka-a renowned Polish-diaspora vocalist, as well as a radio and educational activist. Also, Barbara Szymanska-a vocalist and poet who wrote over dozen songs about mother. Additionally, there will be performances by Chicago’s only Polish cabaret “Nie Wiadomo Co”with Radek Karczmarczyk and Agnieszka Topolska. A surprise awaits the audience: a medley of beautiful dances and songs performed by the “Lira Ensemble”, under the direction of Iwona Puc-a protege of distinguished Lucyna Migala!
Previous revues were filmed by distinguished filmmakers Mitch Bochnak and Bogdan Miller. This year, too, Mich Bochnak’s team (M.Bochnak, B.Miller, M.Kierski) will record every performance and professionally produce the video documentation of this beautiful event. Mitch Bochnak is a renowned Polish-American artist-a musician, vocalist and composer-as well as a passionate film and photography enthusiast, screenwriter, and producer of both documentary and special-occasion films.