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Polish Talent 2009, produced
by Radio Chicago, will be the second exhibition of talents and
skills of Polish American Youths from the Chicagoland area; a
demographic consisting of over two million people. The aim of the
event is to discover Polonia’s talents, showcase them to a wide
audience, and reward the outstanding. This event is the largest
showcase of Polish Youth Talent outside of Poland, and is thus the
mostly widely covered media event of its kind.
The first Polish Talent Show, of
2008, for which tryouts started in May and went on till October
2008, saw many hundreds participants, not counting their family
and friends, from various dance, martial art, singing, acting,
sports, magic, musical and more backgrounds.
Dziennik Zwiazkowy - Polish Daily
writes the follwing about Polish Talent 2008: “Polish Talent 2008,
which took place on October 26 2008 at Guerrin Prepatory High
School in River Grove, was an unexpected sensation during this
year’s Polish Heritage Month. It was not only an engaging and
interesting spectacle, but an unusually entertaining and
educational one. This we owe not only to the organizers, but also
the parents and teachers of the mostly adolescent performers.
Thanks to the initiative of the producers and hosts of Radio
Chicago WPNA 1490 AM, Chicago’s Polish society could show off
their best, and to this time hidden, side displaying talents and
skills off all sorts. The organizers of the event put forth a
monumental effort in screening over 400 contestants from May to
October 2008, of which 200 made it to the finals. The performers,
ranging from age 6 to 80, sang, danced, played instruments,
performed acrobatics, sports, stunts, recited stories and more.
The 1st place, and a prize of $500, went to 18 year-old
piano virtuoso, Bartek Ciężobka—student of the Ignacy Jan
Pedarewski Music School and Glenbrook East High School in
Lombard. He took first place with a skillful and beautiful
rendition of „Fantastic Krakowiak,” by Ignacy Pedarewski. The
event, hosted by Slawomir Bielawiec and Waldemar Lada, delivered
artistic value, emotions many experiences to the audience filling
the expansive Guerin Prep Auditorium. Jan Stach, the
eldest participant, surprised the judges and audience with rare
grass, leaf and comb playing skills. There was also an exotic
flare with the performance of an ancient Hindu dance by Joanna
Sielewicz. Karina Kumas thrilled the audience with a professional
interpretation of the known song titled, „Okularnicy.” The teenage
rockband, „Circular Soul,” pleased the crowd with a cult classic,
„When I was a little boy,” by the Blackouts. There was a lot of
dynamic dance. The dance group JUMP put on a very well
choreographed show with excellent outfits and attitude. A huge
group of young violinists dubbed the Happy Fidlers put together a
great performace of synchronized instrumentation, dance and
costumes. These are just a couple of examples of the rich
Polish Talent Chicago program from 2008. We will not forget about
the emotions and performances this event inspired for some time to
come; especially the moment all the performers joined the hosts on
stage at the end of the finals for a celebration during the
farewell song „So Much Sun in Our City,” by Dorota Animuckiej-Kozlowski.
This year’s auditions began in early
January 2009, and the finals will take place on October 2009. The
finalists from all categories will perform before a live audience
at the Guerin Prep Auditorium at 8001 W. Belmont Ave, River Grove
IL 60171. The event is expected to generate an huge audience and
list many performers.
Radio Chicago will be seeking
sponsorship from its long time supporters, including Jewel Osco.
A major advertising campaign will run in unison with the run up
to, and the competition itself.
Polish Media
outlets Dziennik Zwiazkowy and Polki w Świecie helped in publicizing
this event and Jewel Osco deserves the most credit for bringing
Polish Talent Chicago to life as its main sponsor. |
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