Grazyna Auguscik, Ben Lewis, Warren Oja, Andrzej Krukowski at Academy of Music of the Paderewski Symphony Orchestra (Photo: Dariusz Lachowski)
To celebrate the life of an innovative composer, you yourself have to be innovative… at least, that’s Grażyna Auguścik’s philosophy. The Polish jazz vocalist and composer married her love of invention with her admiration for the music of Polish composer Frédéric Chopin when she created Chicago’s Chopin in the City Festival in 2017.
Now in its ninth year, the Chopin in the City Festival is livelier than ever. As its name suggests, every concert in the weeklong series (February 21-February 28) must use the composer’s work in at least some fashion.
But here is where the festival departs from the norm. Instead of performing standard classical music interpretations, artists are encouraged to use whatever methods they want: from quartets, to paintings, poetry and more.
Frédéric Chopin is one of best-known — and best-loved — composers of all time. Yet Auguscik doesn’t want to take Chopin’s renown for granted: her goal is not just to honor his legacy as a fellow Polish musician, but to make his catalogue more accessible and interesting to people who don’t often interact with classical music.
Joshua Mhoon speaking before his performance at the Consulate General of Poland in Chicago, 2024 (Photo: Dariusz Lachowski)
The 2025 festival begins in signature fashion: a concert at the Consulate General of Poland’s office in Chicago. This year’s guest artist is Polish classical pianist Łukasz Jankowski, who will perform some of Chopin’s most iconic works, as well as a handful of personal favorites. The performance will take place on February 21, 2025 at 6:30 pm.
Jankowski will also perform at 10:00 am the following day, February 22, at the Forest View Educational Center in Arlington Heights. For this concert, he will be accompanied by dancer and choreographer Katarzyna Wyporska-Wawrzczak alongside her “Little Star” theatre troupe. Audiences can expect a range of dances choreographed to Chopin’s pieces. Also on the program is the debut of Wyporska-Wawrzczak’s “Wisla” folk dance suite, which draws inspiration from traditional Polish folk dances of different regions. The accomplished choreographer will repeat the program on Monday, February 24 at 6:00 pm in the PASO Music Academy building.
Ana Everling Quartet performs at the Copernicus Foundation during “Painting Chopin” 2024 (Photo: Dariusz Lachowski)
Jazz is one of the most prominent parts of each year’s festival, and this 2025’s installment is no exception. Auguścik is a jazz vocalist who has long collaborated with many world-class artists; as such, she draws an interesting array of musicians in the genre for multiple concerts. The Rob Clearfield Quartet will be performing a set titled “Ash and Diamond” at ProMusica at 4:00 pm on Sunday, February 23. On February 28, the Lenard Simpson Quartet shares the stage with the Ethan Philion Quintet at Constellation Chicago for a set beginning at 8:30 pm. Constellation will also offer an online livestream as an option for folks unable to attend in person.
The festival’s organizer will also participate in a few of this year’s concerts. Her jazz combo, the Grażyna Auguścik Group (GAG), will perform a mix of Chopin-inspired jazz pieces and original music at the Green Mill on February 22 at 8:00 pm. Auguścik will also take the stage alongside Polish jazz legend Urszula Dudziak at the Copernicus Center for a program on February 27 at 7:30 pm. Other guests on that bill include Chicago jazz singer and presenter Dee Alexander.
In addition to music and dancing, visual art will be making an appearance. One of Chopin in the City’s most popular activities returns this year on Sunday, February 23 at 12 pm. Audiences can take part in the Painting Chopin event at the Polish Museum of America. Hosted by visual artist Patricia Stepniak, listeners young and old will be invited to paint while listening to a variety of musical guests. Performers at this year’s Painting Chopin gathering will include Łukasz Jankowski, Katarzyna Wyporska-Wawrzczak, and more guests to be announced.
Whether you’re a long time fan or completely new to his works, the Chopin in the City Festival has a variety of ways to enjoy this long-heralded composer’s music in a brand-new light.
For ticketing and information about the 9th Annual Chopin in the City Festival, visit soundsandnotes.org.
