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